What’s wrong with Ronaldo?

Ronaldo has not hit form at Real Madrid this season. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to hit form with Real Madrid this season and has often cut a frustrated figure on the pitch in La Liga, but where has it all gone wrong for the once most expensive man in football history?

The Portugal international has been the centre of attention ever since he criticised his teammates after the lacklustre loss to Tottenham in the Champions League at the start of this month.

Ronaldo claimed the current squad miss the experience of Pepe, Fabio Coentrao, James Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata, who were all allowed to leave the Spanish capital in the summer.

While the 32-year-old quickly pointed out there is plenty of young talent, he also made it clear there is no substitute for big-game experience.

‘Los Blancos’ captain Sergio Ramos has since responded to the comments, saying Ronaldo is simply looking for excuses to cover up his lack of goals so far this season.

‘Nobody said that when we won two Super Cups at the start of the season,’ the defender said. ‘I don’t miss anybody. The squad has changed but everybody is playing their part.’

Drama increased when Ronaldo refused celebrate with his teammates after Isco scored against Las Palmas, something else Ramos was not afraid to hit back at.

‘I’ve known him for a long time and I know how ambitious he is. I don’t care who scores — Keylor Navas can put the ball over the line for all I care. But Cristiano plays another part and he has other objectives like the Ballon d’Or.’

The recently crowned ‘Best’ Men’s Player of 2017 has scored one goal from 48 shots in seven games, a worrying stat for the Real faithful.

Supporters can, however, take positives from the recent form of Isco and young talent Marco Asensio. The duo have taken some goalscoring pressure off Ronaldo, but teams appear to be figuring them out.

A tactic that has worked for a number of sides early on this campaign is contain the former, don’t let the latter shoot with his left foot, then focus all attention on preventing Ronaldo from getting into goalscoring positions.

Another problem is, former teammates Rodriguez and Morata were always there to assist the winger, but Isco and Asensio are not afraid to take the game by the scruff of the neck and ignore players in better positions than themselves.

Five years ago, Real Madrid officials would have been looking at Ronaldo’s form thinking Zinedine Zidane is doing something wrong. But now, they no longer prioritise their all-time top goalscorer.

The reality is that Cristiano may have already signed his last contract at the Bernabeu, leading the club to simply shrug off recent threats of leaving.

There is a very real possibility that, if a reasonable bid is tabled, Ronaldo could depart the club he has enjoyed eight trophy-laden seasons at.