5 reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo may be past his prime

#2 We don't get to see his Dribbles/Take-ons a lot these days

Ronaldo doesn't go on solo runs as frequently anymore

Cristiano Rolando took the Premier League by storm after he made his Manchester United debut in 2003/04 season. Primarily a left winger, Ronaldo became noted for his dribbling and flair, often displaying an array of tricks and feints such as the stepovers that became his trademark during his days in England.

But recent stats reveal that Cristiano Ronaldo has lost his dribbling ability. It is being a little harsh on the player who plays more centrally these days and not as a winger. But his ability to take on the players has diminished over the last 2 to 3 seasons. He averaged over 100 dribbles a season in his first few years at Madrid but over the last few years, it had gone down to 50.

He is no more the deadly Cristiano Ronaldo, who was direct and dashed past opponents as if there weren't there. 5 years back, it will be hard to name a player who can mark Ronaldo out of the game but against Girona last week, 20-year-old Pablo Maffeo did the job to perfection which goes on to say Ronaldo has lost his invincibility.

Ronaldo and Messi successful dribbles (La Liga & UCL)

2014/15: Ronaldo 79 - 166 Messi

2015/16 - Ronaldo 58 - 151 Messi

2016/17 - Ronaldo 40 - 154 Messi

2017/18 - Ronaldo 12 - 77 Messi