Cristiano Ronaldo might not be having as great a season as we are used to seeing from him and the latest reports in El Espanyol that were translated by Sport, indicate that his issues at Real Madrid this season might not be over. Club President Florentino Perez has reportedly banned Ronaldo from going frequently to Morocco to meet his friend, professional kick-boxer Badr Hari.
It has been known publicly that of late Ronaldo and Perez have had their differences and this restriction, if true, will only serve to widen that divide. What prompted Perez to take this step has been the Portuguese captain's inconsistent form this season, with Ronaldo scoring only in patches, and not making much of an impact in big matches.
Though the forward has scored 27 goals and given 10 assists so far this season, he has not been the same player he was the last couple of seasons and it has shown on the field. Add to that his apparent unhappiness with the Benitez regime and the 2015-16 season hasn't really gone as he would have expected.
Earlier in the season, it was reported that Ronaldo used to take frequent trips to Morocco to visit friend and professional kick-boxer Badr Hari, and that he used to go almost every day after training. The former Manchester United winger flies out to Marrakech from Monday to Thursday after training to meet his friend before flying back into Madrid in the night.
The Madeira-born Ronaldo apparently takes his private jet immediately after the morning training session from Madrid, and leaves from Morocco at 3 pm in the afternoon to return to Madrid late in the evening.
Perez has asked Ronaldo to stop these trips, one because frequent flights can have an adverse effect on the Real Madrid talisman's health and two, to try and ensure that Ronaldo starts performing at his regular level again, so that the team, now being managed by club legend Zinedine Zidane, can continue their recent good run of form. It is also being said that Perez has tried to use his good relationship with Mohamed VI, the King of Morocco, to ensure that he is informed whenever Ronaldo travels to Morocco.
Though it comes across as extreme, these rumours could indicate that the relationship between Cristiano Ronaldo and Florentino Perez in specific, and Real Madrid in general, is souring.
