ROONEY AND RONALDINHO LAUGHING ALL THE WAY.

Somewhere in France, a man grimaces at the thought of the single moment that could tarnish his legacy. Not far away, three clubs are relishing the unexpected challenge of playing in next season's serie A. Several others are more than content with the thought of playing atleast one serie B match in a stadium as good as Juventus'. You will be surprised to know how many people are enjoying what's going on in football. Italy's match fixing scandal and Zidane's absurd moment with Materazzi meant that after the world cup, the cameras could only make a brief stop in France before focusing on Italy. No time for the usual reflections after the world cup.
Two men are laughing all the way as one man takes all the heat for stars that underperformed at the world cup.Rooney and Ronaldinho are lucky men. For reasons very obvious to every one, thry were the most 'hyped' about players before the world cup. A nation took on discussing an injury to a small bone in the foot while another almost got named Ronaldinho. So for their disappointing displays at the world cup finals, they not just Zidane should be under the microscope.
Every one who read what followed headlines like "the world cup is not coming home" must have hoped for a few minutes of real reflection from the English press after the world cup. In the wake of England's exit,the press dwelt on every thing apart from the real reason for their exit. Rooney commits a red card offence, Ronaldo chooses to get involved. Rooney is sent off. The press crucify Ronaldo despite the referee insisting he did not influenc his decision. Crazy. Agreed, Ronaldo should not have got himself involved in an incident with a club teamate against a country where he plays. But that does not explain his ealier tackle on Calvarinho or excuse the push he gives Ronaldo.
Atleast Rooney stamped his attendance with a red card performance. The worry for Ronaldinho is many will think he did not turn up for these world cup finals. We waited for Brazil (read Ronaldinho) to display exraordinary skills but it wasn't to be. Not even the sight of Zidane,many years his senior, disappearing over the horizon with all the praise could force a moment of magic out of him. Before the world cup Ronaldinho had inherited Zidane's fame but the world cup gave all of us something about. It's almost like another man turned up in Ronaldinho's shirt.
But the beauty about fooballis fans forgive so quickly. It will take a few fine skills from Rooney or Ronaldinho for fans to don their replica shirts. South Africa 2010 will provide a last chance for Ronaldinho to shine, at 32 years of age. Rooney has to wait till then for his first world cup goal. What a story it would be if he failed to score one in his whole career. This may sound like one of those stories written by a pessimist but it is very likely. The negative aspects of his seem to be maturing with his talent.The challenge for the English press is to hold him responsible for his actions for once. His ills can't be blamed on other people every time and neither can they be blamed on his upbinging. His is an attitude problem, It's knowing he can always get away with it. So as the press castigate a man who got it wrong at the end of his career, they should not forget the one who is getting it wrong at the beginning of his.
Picture shows Zidane trudging past the world cup trophy after being sent off.
This article was published in the newvision.