When Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo drove a low shot into Barca’s net in the dying minutes of El Clasico last month, very few fans would imagine the kind of impact the goal would have to Barca’s next season. The goal, which gave Los Blancos the much-needed three points against their bitter rivals, supposedly marked the beginning of Barcelona’s woes. Here's the goal:
Cristiano Ronaldo's goal vs FC Barcelona • EL CLASICO https://t.co/zORVpOwT4E
— SlClLY (@realftmadrid) April 4, 2016
But even before the woes began, the Catalan giants got a temporary reprieve when they beat Atletico Madrid 2- 1 at Nou Camp in their next fixture after the Clasico defeat.
But the win over Los Rojiblancos was quite meaningless as the Catalan giants went down to minnows Real Sociedad, then crashed 2-0 in the hands of Diego Simeone’s men in the return leg at the Vincente Calderon, a result that kicked them out of this season’s UEFA Champions League.
After being bundled out of the UCL, many fans expected Luis Enrique’s men to bounce back quickly and defend the league title when they welcomed Valencia at the Nou Camp. But things turned out to the exact opposite as the Blaugrana went down 2-1, a result that blew the title race wide open to accommodate two of their fiercest rivals; Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, who were once out of the picture.
As a result, some fans on social media tried to trace the genesis of Barca’s problem and Cristiano Ronaldo was identified as the main culprit. His goal, which ended Barca’s 39-match unbeaten run, seemed to have largely contributed to his rivals’ downfall. Here are some of the reactions on Twitter:
Ronaldo actually ended Barcelona
— ️ (@CescMagician) April 17, 2016
Ronaldo has actually broken Barcelona
— Nabit. (@Mempholic) April 17, 2016
Ronaldo's goal had more impact on Barcelona's season than Luis Enrique's tactics.
— Taha Memon (@TheKopiteLad) April 17, 2016
#Ronaldo Lol @ Barcelona right now like .....pic.twitter.com/1XUblnRMUM
— MartialTos (@DanTosic) April 17, 2016
LIVE SCENES from Cristiano Ronaldo's house after watching Barcelona 1-2 Valencia. #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/Jq7xxm65jS
— TheCRonaldoFan (@TheCRonaldoFan) April 17, 2016
Ronaldo leaked Barcelona's nudes
— Nonictivus Sativa (@Mystiq_Janelle) April 17, 2016
Ronaldo has actually broken Barcelona... Makes my drink taste even better. Choi!
— Francisco Brainiac (@FranciscoBrainy) April 17, 2016
Cristiano Ronaldo abused Barcelona at El Classico and they haven't been the same ever since. pic.twitter.com/2x9GleaOVk
— N.M.A (@N_mohammedali) April 17, 2016