Ronaldo has slow 45-minute debut for Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo played on Monday evening as a starter against Shamrock Rovers in what was his first ever match for Real Madrid.
The 2008 World Player of the Year performed more like a team player than an individual superstar.

Highlights of the game showed Ronaldo feeding Higuain with a low cross from inside the eighteen yards box but the Argentine striker could not manage to deny the goalkeeper.

Ronaldo, who was placed wide on the right wing – his preferred position – had a good chance to put Real Madrid in front from a long range free-kick. However, the ball flew just wide.
He took another free-kick which ended in disappointment as his strike hit the wall.

After 45 minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted and despite failing to score at the expectations of many, Real Madrid went on to win with debutant Karim Benzema stealing the spotlights.

Speaking to the media after the match, Ronaldo said:

“I’m a bit tired because we have been training hard three times a day,”

“During the game, I felt a little overloaded, but I’m sure that… soon my performance will be much better.”

“I am in a spectacular team,”

“We played the ball well but the most important thing of this first game is that we won.

“I’m very happy at Real Madrid. It doesn’t matter to me where I play because all the positions are the same. What I want is to integrate into the team as quickly as possible.

“I believe the team have done well, but now we need to find our rhythm.”