Spain vs Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo Facing Real Madrid Teammates

While Spain and Portugal are planning how to overcome each other’s challenge in Tuesday night’s last 16 encounter, Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is now planning how to beat his Real Madrid teammates. His first and only objective would be defeating Spain captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas, and thus, helping his team to reach the quarter final of the FIFA World Cup 2010.

Casillas saved Real Madrid on many occasions, while Ronaldo scored many goals in his debut season at the club. Both of them celebrated Real’s success together, but this time one’s success means another’s dismay. The most important thing is that both of them know each other’s style as they spent together many practice sessions at Real Madrid and it would only make their job tougher.

Cristiano Ronaldo would also face two more Real Madrid friends today. They are Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso who has just recovered from his injury and is fit for tonight’s match. Midfielder Alonso may have set up many goals for Ronaldo, but today he would be deployed to intercept passes and crosses made for and by Ronaldo.

It is less likely that Ramos would come in Ronaldo’s way as they play on the different wings. However, there is every possibility Ramos would have to face Ronaldo and stop him for the sake of his country. On the other hand, situation would have been different if it was a Real Madrid match. With both the players playing on the right wing, Ronaldo as a winger and Ramos as a wingback, they assist each other in attack while playing for Real Madrid.

There are two other Real Madrid players in Raúl Albiol and Álvaro Arbeloa, but it is less likely that they would feature in the starting line up of Spain against Portugal, and thus, no facing-off with Cristiano Ronaldo.