It could be a coincidence but last weekend Real Madrid registered their lowest attendance for a LaLiga game since the last league match they played before Cristiano Ronaldo signed.
In the summer of 2009, Los Blancos paid a then world record fee to sign the Portuguese superstar from Manchester United and he went on to become the club’s all time leading goalscorer and lead them to every title possible during his nine years at the club.
This summer, he departed after a breakdown in his relationship with the Champions League holders and it appears that his exit is already having an impact, at least as far as attendance figures go.
On Sunday night, a disappointing crowd of just 48,466 turned out at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu to watch Real Madrid overcome Getafe 2-0 in the first game of the post-Ronaldo era.
There are a number of factors which could contribute towards that such as the fact that it takes place during a popular period for Madrid natives to take their holidays, the kick off time (10.15pm local time) and ticket prices, with the cheapest being set at €40.
However, it is interesting to note that the last time Real registered such a poor attendance for a home league game was actually the last time they played a LaLiga clash without Ronaldo in their ranks.
That came in the penultimate weekend of the 2008/09 season when they hosted Mallorca at home in a meaningless game as Barcelona had already wrapped up the title and that was reflected in the 44,270 paid crowd.
Make of that what you will.
