LWOS INC About Contact Apply Openings Writing FAQ Ad Policy
Last Word On Sports Logo

Last Word On Sports

Sports News Since 2011. Honestly.

Last Word On Sports Logo

Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Day: October 2, 2015

What Does an MLS MVP Look Like

Posted on by JC Zambrano

What does an MLS MVP look like? Is he a dominant goal scorer? Is he someone who sets up his players to succeed? Or is he both? Or neither and is instead a net minder skilled in the art of shot blocking?

This year’s MVP race can be a tight one if you think all of the categories above apply or a runaway if you put an emphasis on either of them.  Last year’s MVP, Robbie Keane, was only third in the league in goal scoring and didn’t crack the top 5 in assists.  However, he is from the Republic of Ireland, so is that a pre-requisite? Perhaps not since he is the only Irish man to win the award, sorry Kevin Doyle and Sean St. Ledger of the Colorado Rapids, perhaps next year.

The last four MVP’s have been forwards, FC Dallas’ David Ferrera was the last MVP to not be listed as a Forward. Ten of the 19 winners have been forwards, eight have been midfielders and one goalkeeper.  There has only been one player to win the award twice, Kansas City’s Preki, which means tough luck for Keane, Mike Magee, and Chris Wondolowski, the only active players to have won an MVP.

In looking at what the 2015 MLS MVP looks like I asked fellow Last Word On Sports writers, Ty Bailey, John Bava III, Laura McFayden and Arslan Siddiqui for their thoughts on a few of the candidates.

 

Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC

Giovinco has been a human highlight reel in his first season in Major League Soccer after joining the league from Juventus, with goals like last week and this one earlier in the season, it’s hard to follow MLS and not know the impact he’s had.  He has completely changed the competitive level of Toronto FC, a team that seems solidly in place to make the MLS Playoffs for the first time since joining the league in 2007.  He is first in the league in assists (15) and second in the league in goals scored (20) while playing in 29 of the team’s 30 games so far.  Arslan Siddiqui covers Toronto FC for Last Word On Sports and thinks Giovinco is hands down the best player in MLS this season, “I’ve had the privilege of covering TFC for the last season and watching a mercurial talent like Giovinco play every week. I have never watched a player who has jaw dropping ability every time he touches the ball, other than a certain Argentinian in Barcelona. That’s what Giovinco does.”

Giovinco has four more games to get Toronto into the playoffs and solidify his MVP campaign. Three of the four games at home against Philadelphia, New York Red Bulls and Columbus before finishing the season on the road in Montreal.

 

Kei Kamara, Columbus Crew

The former and now current Columbus Crew member has had a magnificent first full season back with the team that originally drafted him in 2006.  Kamara seems capable of scoring a brace on any given night, and his league high 22 goals are a testament to that, along with his ability to do this often.  Kamara could be benefitting from the system run by Crew head coach Gregg Berhalter, however, the fact that the most consistent, and perhaps scariest, scoring threat in the league plays in Columbus goes to show the dominance of Kamara.  John Bava III believes that Kamara is the sole reason the team is currently near the top of the Eastern Conference standings, “Last season, Columbus Crew SC was missing a true target man up top in head coach Gregg Berhalter’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Kei Kamara has filled that void and then some in 2015…It’s hard to imagine this club being anywhere near Supporters’ Shield contention without his presence”

Kamara has played in 30 of his team’s 31 games and has three games left to solidify his MVP campaign as he plays the three teams who are battling for the top spot in the East with Columbus.  Road games at New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC, before closing out the season at home against D.C. United.  Kamara has a chance to break the MLS scoring record if he can get six goals in the final three games.

 

Benny Feilhaber, Sporting Kansas City

Fresh off a U.S. Open Cup championship this week, Feilhaber has been the dark horse this season in the MVP race.  Currently second in the league in assists (14) and has ten goals to go along and has had runs of dominance while leading Sporting Kansas City (SKC) to points.  In a seven game stretch, beginning on April 25th, where the team didn’t lose a game, Feilhaber scored five goals and had two assists.  When he plays well, SKC wins, Laura McFayden would agree, “Benny Feilhaber been the key to Sporting Kansas City’s attack all season…Not only does he bring creativity and power to the attack, Feilhaber’s been able to drop back into a defensive role and shut down opposition when needed without skipping a beat or making an error.  Sporting KC weren’t expected to dominate their first season back in the Western Conference, but they’ve done much better than expected and it’s all due to Benny Feilhaber.” With assists like this and goals like this one, it is easy to see why he’s such an important piece of SKC’s 2015 success.

Feilhaber has played in 29 of the team’s 30 games this season, and with four games left to solidify his MVP candidacy, he will need to conjure up that MVP form as SKC plays on the road in Portland and San Jose before closing out the season at home against Colorado and LA Galaxy.  He has already broken the SKC single season assists record, now on to trying to provide Kansas City with their first league MVP since Preki in 2003.

 

Josh Saunders, NYCFC

I know, I know, a goalkeeper?  Tony Meola is the only goalkeeper to ever win MLS MVP, so it’s not unfathomable to see a keeper at least in contention for the league MVP award.  However, when presenting the idea to my fellow writers about an MVP caliber goalkeeper, and a bit of begging, Tyler Bailey obliged with a case for expansion team NYCFC’s keeper, Josh Saunders, “Keepers aren’t ever real candidates for an MVP award…Right now, Josh Saunders is playing behind perhaps the most inconsistent defense in Major League Soccer and leads the league in saves. He is also perhaps the sole reason that NYCFC are still in the playoff hunt. His game hasn’t always been spotless this season, but he has easily been the most clutch goalkeeper in MLS”

Saunders may not be the ideal MVP candidate, but with saves like this and his 113 saves, which currently leads the league, put him on pace to have 124 for the season which would put him 5 saves shy of what Tony Meola had when he won the MVP in 2000.  He has three games left with his next two on the road at D.C. United and Orlando City before wrapping up the season at home against the New England Revolution.  One thing should be clear though, a shutdown goalkeeper MUST get his team into the playoffs for any chance at MVP mention, NYCFC currently sit five points out of a playoff spot.

 

One thing is for certain, an MLS MVP can be a leading goal scorer, a leader in assists, they can even do both as well as be a shot blocker, but they must get their team into the playoffs in order to be considered at all.

Georgia Result Must Reinforce the All Blacks Lost Direction

Posted on by Scott Hornell, Managing Editor

Every match from now on, all count for something more than just a friendly match. It is World Cup time and in Pool C, this Georgia result must reinforce the All Blacks lost direction as they aim for back-to-back World championships.

That direction must be forward as in both of the games we have seen, it was not vintage All Blacks. Renowned as the standard bearers of World Rugby, they did not delight home fans or rugby writers in either hemisphere. In Friday nights match at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, a return to ‘normal mode’ is expected against minnows Georgia.

This European side are coached by New Zealander Milton Haig, who has a close association with Stu Foster, the All Blacks assistant coach. That familiarity with the high standards of NZ rugby will mean they go into the match prepared well and knowing what to expect. Drilled well, some anticipate a scrum-based competition yet fans are wanting to see more polish from the world-leading All Blacks.

That is the question for all, as well as “how the returning Waisake Naholo will perform in his comeback match?”

Talk this week has been on the security around the All Blacks side; who brought their specially made four metre high protective wall with them from London, so a little bit of paranoia from Steve Hansen. Possibly overkill, whereas his opposite Warren Gatland said he “couldn’t give a stuff” if anyone was watching his sides practice.

Two different ideologies maybe, as both are experiencing different environments and team cultures. The Wales side are too busy licking their wounds, having lost 5 players to injury so far to worry about photographers and on the All Blacks side, the coaching staff admitted that they ‘over analyzed’ the Namibian team.

Though many will say the Welsh are demonstrating more spirit and energy, the All Blacks will want the Georgia games’ result to be a return to not only their focused direction of the last three seasons, but also more fluent and full of expression. They must put out an honest and co-ordinated result, utilising players strengths against a side who will be tough up-front, but could be run rings around if Naholo is up to full speed.

Fans of this team do not want to see another disjointed, clumsy or unfulfilled display (like the first two games have seen) With a hugely experienced side lead by the reassuring presence of Richie McCaw, the more settled side are just missing Ma’a Nonu who was likely to play his 100th test cap. Forced out due to a niggling injury, fans can only be happy with Sonny Bill Williams replacing him. Currently in menacing form himself.

They have a slightly altered front row, bringing in the young legs of Crockett and Faumuina but they lose nothing off the bench, so the complete side is formidable as ever. Just an interesting selection of TJ Perenara at first-five cover is reflective of a need to rest some injuries to Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade – precautionary moves from the management I’m sure.

NEW ZEALAND FANS ALL RISE EARLY TO FOLLOW THEIR MEN IN BLACK

I will be up early on Saturday [New Zealand time] to get involved and will be tweeting updates on the LWOS South twitter page throughout the match. Along with many others, we then enjoy reporting for Last Word On Sports immediately after the game on how the side progressed.

The LWOS Rugby department believe these next few matches for competition leaders New Zealand, Australia/England, South Africa and for Argentina too, will all set up the Qualifying rounds to a degree. The All Blacks must now start to ‘put the pedal down’ as they look surely at qualifying top of their pool. They will then sit back and watch like of RWC fans, the vital England v Australia game Saturday and then the important Ireland v France match next week.

That game looks likely to determine the All Blacks QF opponent, and each has done a magnificent job so far. They seem certain to qualify but in which order?

That is up to that one result and each wants to finish in the superior position, so for it to be up to just one result now is fitting [almost Sudden Death] as the winner gets to meet the second qualifier out of Pool C. So for the loser it will be ‘well done, now you face the World Champions’. Almost as good as sudden death rugby now, and it is good for the Cup.

If we lose the host by Sunday night, that will change everything for the host nation, but from this side of the world it is all about this next match – if the All Blacks can demonstrate some quality, people will be backing them all the way. Perform to their best, ranked at number one for so long now they must prove the doubters wrong before they enter the knock-out stages.

You have to believe this Georgia result must reinforce the All Blacks lost direction. Win well, and they are in no doubt the favourites. Play badly like they did against Namibia in the second half, and the press will be fierce in their vitriol.

Go well #TeamAllBlacks and I wish the Georgian team well too, as this is the biggest game in their rich history. The Rugby World Cup only comes around once for many, so they will treasure this experience against the best in the World.

“Main photo”

World Cup Pool C: Tonga Back on Track

Posted on by James Barker, Editor

Tonga 35 Namibia 21

It has been a long wait for Tonga to right the wrongs from game one. Following on from the weekend where the host’s tournament may already be almost over, it feels like the Pacific Islanders’ involvement has just begun. Following a disappointing and surprising defeat against Georgia at Kingsholm in Gloucester, the team travelled even further south to Exeter’s Sandy Park to face the lowest ranked side in the tournament, Namibia.  This was the first of three games at the ground, which has undergone a massive transformation since its days as an English second tier ground as recently as 2010.

Tonga began the game with intent, and that attitude reaped immediate rewards. A break after just three minutes by co-captain Siale Piatau, although punctured by a knock on, set the scene for a set play from a lineout for winger Telusa Veainu to break the Namibian line and cross the try line. Shortly after a hugely powerful finish by flanker Jack Ram made it 12-0 and should have crushed Namibian spirits. The Pacific Islanders looked determined to take control but the open game plan led to a turnover by Namibia and Johan Tromp crossed to make it 12-7.  This end-to-end free flowing game suited Tonga, and they were able to run in a third try within half an hour, though again from a set play. They were undone by being dragged into a forward battle by Georgia, so not allowing Jacques Burger and company to try and build a platform for the Africans was a smart tactical plan.

The try bonus point came early in the second half with a second try from Ram, but then two tries from Namibia skipper Burger brought them back into the game. A fifth try and a penalty from replacement Kurt Morath, who became Tonga’s all-time record points scorer, settled any nerves and denied Namibia any chance of their first World Cup point, either through the try bonus or losing bonus.

The Launchpad to Leicester: Tonga vs Argentina

Attention must quickly turn to Sunday, where the ‘Ikale Tahi travel north to Leicester to face Argentina for another must-win match. They are currently above Los Pumas in the Pool, and a victory would put them fully back on track for a quarter final place. This certainly won’t be easy, as Argentina have proved themselves up front and in the backs in their first two games. The South Americans will be expecting to qualify from the pool and perhaps replicate their memorable performance in 2007 when they finished third. A chance then for Tonga to spring a surprise?

They are certainly up for the fight, as Piatau illustrated after the Namibia game; saying “We’ll play this Argentina game as our final. We played one final today, we got another life and we’ll play another final come Sunday.” The move to another training camp, this time at Loughborough University, will help get them into a winning mindset, with the host campus home of the number one University for sport in the UK and equipped with world class facilities. If Tonga weren’t prepared for the opening game, they should certainly be up to speed now, benefitting from matches in three of the country’s rugby heartlands in Gloucester, Exeter and now Leicester.

This is important as it appears that Tonga need to be in the right mindset to play at their best. In two consecutive World Cup games spanning 2011 and 2015 they beat France then lost to Georgia. This sort of inconsistency is what will hinder them from regularly qualifying automatically for tournaments and ultimately qualifying for quarter finals. A victory against Argentina is not beyond them, and it would prove that the France result was not a fluke and the Georgia defeat was in fact the anomaly.

Having watched both of these teams play against Georgia though, it is admittedly hard to see anything but an Argentine victory on Sunday. They have firmly established themselves as a Tier One nation, proving the point that consistent exposure to top teams (through The Rugby Championship) does improve national sides. They were very impressive in attack, running in multiple second half tries at Kingsholm and the Argentine pack is one to be feared with the likes of Marcos Ayerza and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe.  I hope for a fast-paced, open affair as this will level the playing field and be more entertaining for it. A couple of weeks on from the South Africa vs Japan game, we are due another upset. Could it be on Sunday?
“Main Photo”

Can Johnathon Thurston complete his NRL destiny?

Posted on by Scott Hornell, Managing Editor

With the NRL Grand Final only days away, the question on many fans minds is “Can Johnathon Thurston complete his NRL destiny?”

This is not a new-age idea. He won’t align the stars or use some forgotten Aboriginal DreamWorld way to achieve his goal, no. Johnathon Thurston (JT) is a the playmaker of his generation and a Legend in Queensland Rugby league. He has already achieved glory in helping his beloved ‘Reds’ win the famous State of Origin series an in-numeral times, but he has not taken his beloved Cowboys to that special place.

No, we grapple with this question because in the NRL [National Rugby League]  of Australia, this question hangs over all major stars of the game. It is an elitist question obviously, not every player needs to be judged by Premierships alone –see Stacey Jones. But in a gladiatorial sport that prides itself on being the ‘biggest and the best’ in the world; in comparison with the European Super League, winning the Grand Final at this end of year finale has meant Super Stardom for many – and JT is worthy of those accolades.

He has won a Premiership before, in his early career with the Bulldogs. In 2004, Thurston came off the bench to compete in a final as a replacement for injured skipper Steve Price. For him professionally, that victory was a step towards his future leading role in the league spotlight as he made the move to the North Queensland Cowboys in 2005 where he has been key playmaker, figure head and respected member of the Northern Queensland community.

The ever-smiling impresario is of Indigenous Australian and New Zealand Māori descent, Thurston was born in Brisbane and began playing rugby league at a very young age. He excelled at this sport and it was soon apparent that he had the skills, in many ways similar to his idol Alfie Langer. The spirited halfback was visionary and did many things that others could only dream of. All the while, he had a beaming smile on his face.

From those early days to this weekend, JT has had a career that has many, many highs – Queensland representation as well as playing for the ‘Kangaroos’ national rugby league side. World Championships followed with that side, and numerous awards over his career that include:

Dally M Player of the Year: 2005, 2007, 2014, 2015
Dally M Halfback of the Year: 2005, 2007, 2009, 2015
Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year: 2012, 2013, 2014
Provan-Summons Medal: 2014, 2015
North Queensland Cowboys Player of the Year: 2005, 2012, 2014
Wally Lewis Medal (State of Origin player of the series): 2008
Preston Campbell Medal (Man of the Match in the 2010 NRL All Stars Game): 2010
RLIF International Back of the Year: 2007
RLIF Halfback of the Year: 2009, 2011
State of Origin Man of the Match: 5 Awards and State of Origin all-time highest point scorer
Golden Boot Award: 2011, 2013
The 2013 Rugby League World Cup player of the tournament with 4 Man of the Match Awards in the 4 games he played
RLPA Player of the Year 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015
Named at half-back in the Indigenous Team of the Century.

To hold aloft the the Provan-Summons trophy would be the Jewel in his Crown. But don’t ask the man himself. Ever effacing, he would laugh it off in that laconic style. “Yeah, nah” would be the first comment, but JT can be quite eloquent in the assessment of his award winning 2015 season.

“The game [NRL] is littered with great names. The hall of fame is a full of Legends but I’d just be happy to play well this weekend.” Thurston demonstrates he is still grateful to the game that has given him this opportunity to express himself and he will be concentrating on the game first and foremost. Family is also key to his game, which is why he paid tribute to wife and family when receiving this years Dally M medal.

“Samantha, thank you for everything you do for me, I can’t thank you enough, you’re my rock” he told Channel Nine. The importance of his family and ethnicity is paramount to JT, who is always working outside of the game to encourage participation.

While that is commendable, he should also think of his health too. The applauded player has several nagging injuries and had scans this week to ensure he could play (hopefully, not in pain) but credit to the player who always puts the team first and is recognisable for his headwear and a coolness under pressure on most occasions.

Opposing the Brisbane Broncos, who hold the best defensive record in the competition, will be his full focus before Sunday’s Grand Final, the second time Thurston will appear in the end of year celebration of Rugby League. Importantly, he has been one of the form players and will lead this side to reach the first ever all Queensland final.

He will want to appease the times he has been on the losing side, in play-off matches, knock-out games and series winning best-of-three clashes [Statoe of Origin] In the losing 2005 Grand Final in his first season at the Townsville team, he was inconsolable in losing but to his credit he has picked himself up many times since then and will again put his all into this climactic match in a great personal season.

100% committed to his sport, all smiles and often relaxed pre-game, the laughter we see on his face disappears as soon as that whistle blows – it will be ‘game on’ this Sunday afternoon at ANZ Stadium, Sydney.

For some, he is already a Champion. His record in Queensland and All-Star rugby league is beyond question, but then again, I ask the question “Can Johnathon Thurston complete his NRL destiny?” The answer is Yes. His side are more confident than ever, and will have some Sydney-side support, as the defacto opposition in the ongoing Brisbane-Sydney state battle.

Last Word on Sports think he has already made a step up onto the same levels as Wally Lewis and Brad Fittler. This second Premiership will cement that footing, especially in the Cowboys fans eyes. He can look them all in the face and say “ha ha ha, you beauty.”

 

The Theatre of Dreams Welcomes the Super League Grand Final

Posted on by Oscar O'Mara

Adam Cuthbertson played the ball with eight seconds left on the clock. Leeds Rhinos were level with Huddersfield Giants and the League Leaders Shield was only a matter of miles and seconds from being awarded to Wigan Warriors. Rob Burrow took the ball from dummy-half, gave it to Maguire who then put through a grubber kick in for Ryan Hall on the half-way line. As Ryan Hall gathered the ball there was one second left on the clock. The rest is largely history but, in case you missed it, Hall crossed the line after the buzzer and sent the travelling support into raptures. The pandemonium signalled that Leeds Rhinos had won the League Leaders Shield for the first time since 2009.

That try was also the last play of the regular season, with Wigan following Leeds into second place on goal difference. Huddersfield and St Helens trailed three points back in third and fourth of the Super League standings, respectively. Nevertheless, all four teams had made the play-offs. Tonight we will see who joins Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford, after they beat Huddersfield Giants comfortably last night, as Leeds play St Helens.

Only Three Teams Are Left Standing So How Have They Got Here?

Wigan Warriors opened the New Era of Super League with a dramatic draw against Widnes Vikings on February 5th. Chris Dean crossed the line under the posts with three minutes to play to see Widnes travel home with a point following a 22-all draw. It summed up a difficult start Wigan had to the start of the season. The Warriors didn’t get going until April, when they put wins together over St Helens, Catalan, Warrington and Wakefield. The Super 8s saw the Cherry and Whites step up a level with only one defeat to Leeds by seven points. Three victories over Huddersfield Giants also preceded their victory in the Play-Off Semi-Final last night.

It is by no fluke that Leeds Rhinos finished top of the table at the end of the regular season. With opening victories against Hull KR, Widnes, Huddersfield, and Hull FC, Leeds were humbled by Warrington Wolves. Six consecutive wins then followed before they again came up short against the Wolves at the end of April. Leeds eventually got their revenge in the Super 8s as they defeated their Lancashire rivals by 39 points. By now, Leeds were looking like potential Super League champions and their Challenge Cup demolition of Hull KR at Wembley signalled that the Rhinos were hitting their stride. With Ryan Hall, Kevin Sinfield, Cuthbertson, Jamie Peacock, and Tom Briscoe all raising their standards as the season has evolved, it is frightening to think the heights this Leeds Rhinos team could reach.

St Helens started the season in formidable form (excluding the 39-0 loss to South Sydney in the World Club Challenge), beating Catalan Dragons, Salford, Castleford, Wakefield, Widnes and Warrington, before a two-point loss to Hull KR away from home. Defeats to Wigan and Hull FC followed but St Helens have looked confident and played with intensity all season, finishing the Super 8s with wins against Leeds, Castleford and Wigan, before losing the Warrington Wolves on the last day 32-16. However the play-offs are a different kettle of fish and with the likes of Adam Swift, James Roby, and Luke Walsh peaking at the right time, St Helens are an outfit to not be underestimated when they arrive at Headingley Stadium this event.

However, if this season is anything to go by, St Helens will have their backs up against the wall ahead of the game this evening having been defeated by Leeds on three occasions this season.

Leeds beat Saints 41-16 back in April away from home, then again at Headingley with a 46-18 victory in Round 20. The Challenge Cup Semi-Final saw another win for the Rhinos 24-14. Although the Saints got their act together in Round four of the Super 8s, defeating Leeds 32-18 at Headingley.

Tonight’s game will be fast, feisty and, more than anything, entertaining. Two teams steeped in history, looking to again take on Wigan Warriors in the northern hemisphere’s biggest spectacle of Rugby League. Whoever wins will deserve the chance and will have to put their bodies on the line, but the prize is worth it; the Theatre of Dreams.

Fast forward a week and October 10th will see the climax of Super League 2015. Old Trafford will be the fitting venue for a Grand Final that is not to be missed. So wherever you are at 6pm next Saturday, tune in and enjoy the spectacle that is the Super League Grand Final.

Ronaldo 501

Posted on by Michael Davies

Cristiano Ronaldo laid down yet another milestone on Wednesday as a career already littered with glittering highlights gained further glory as he passed 500 career goals and drew level with Raul’s all-time Real Madrid record of 323 goals.

This phenomenal achievement of 501 goals for club and country has arrived in just 753 appearances for Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Portugal.

Ronaldo 501 in numbers

The breakdown of his goal scoring feat makes for impressive reading:

5 – Sporting Lisbon

118 – Manchester United

323 – Real Madrid

55 – Portugal

Once you take into account the time in which it has taken him to accrue them, the acceleration in his goal scoring is something to admire.

2002-03 5
2003-04 8
2004-05 16
2005-06 15
2006-07 28
2007-08 46
2008-09 27
2009-10 34
2010-11 56
2011-12 69
2012-13 59
2013-14 62
2014-15 66

His goal record at Manchester United was impressive for a winger, especially in the 2007-08 season when he smashed in 46 goals. These goals helped Manchester United win the Premier League and also the UEFA Champions league in Moscow, where he scored the opening goal. His missed penalty in the shootout gave Chelsea captain John Terry the opportunity to win it for the Blues, but his slip resulted in Ronaldo winning the Champions League for the first time.

His individual performances culminated in him being announced the greatest player in the world in 2008, winning both the top individual awards in World Football; FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon D’or winner.

Other awards won that season included: UEFA Team of the Year, PFA Player of the Year, Premier League Golden Boot, FIFPro World Player of the Year, FWA Player of the Year, UEFA Club Forward of the Year, UEFA Player of the Year and the winner of the European Golden Shoe for the most goals scored throughout Europe that season.

Real Record Breaker

That summer, Real Madrid – the team Ronaldo supported as a boy – came calling. However, they would be made to wait until 2009 to sign him for a world record £80 million fee.

He scored on his debut for Real Madrid at home against Deportivo La Coruña on 29th August 2009 and hasn’t stopped since. His record equalling tally of 323 goals have come in just 308 games for Los Blancos, and have been scored 400 games quicker than Raul’s 323. The set up of the team at Madrid has been largely centred upon Ronaldo, often with very talented teammates playing out of position and performing almost subservient roles. This analysis is backed up by the top three assist makers being Karim Benzema (31), Mesut Özil (27) and Angel Di Maria (22).

Of his 501 goals; 326 have been scored with his right foot, 90 with his left and 83 via headed goals, the rest coming from other parts of his sculptured physique. In La Liga he has a strong record against the top teams, showing that he is no flat track bully. He has scored against Sevilla (21), Barcelona (15), Atlético Madrid (15) and Athletic Bilbao (14). The only other team to make up the Ronaldo top five is Getafe, who have conceded 18 times to the Portuguese.

His intense rivalry with Lionel Messi is one that seems to have been a positive driving force behind Ronaldo’s success. Their goal scoring exploits have been remarkable, each trying to get one up on the other. If one gets a brace on the Saturday, the other will inevitably get a hat-trick on the Sunday.

The Champions League all-time goal scoring record has continuously changed hands over the past season, with Messi and Ronaldo intent on breaking each other’s tallies.  Ronaldo is currently five ahead of Messi on 82 goals and this lead looks to be extended given the knee injury that Messi picked up against Las Palmas in La Liga, which will keep him out of action for the remainder of the group stages.

Ronaldo has a tough task of breaking Raul’s record this weekend as Real Madrid travel to the Vicente Calderón Stadium to face city rivals Atlético. Diego Simeone’s side will no doubt do their best to prevent their arch rivals’ main player from breaking the record at their ground.

Is this likely to stop Ronaldo? Judging by his past 308 games for Real Madrid…probably not.