The Blancos No.7 was surprisingly heckled during last
weekend's win over Rayo Vallecano but his fellow Portuguese says the
29-year-old should be used to such fickle behaviour
Luis Figo believes that being booed by the Santiago Bernabeu should be "water off a duck's back" for Cristiano Ronaldo, arguing that "the whole world" has been jeered by Real Madrid fans at some point.
The Blancos No.7 was surprisingly berated by his own club's supporters during last weekend's Liga win over Rayo Vallecano, even though he scored during the 5-0 win, thus taking his tally to the season to 44 goals in 40 games in all competitions.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti was utterly bemused by the crowd's treatment of their star player but Figo, who represented both Madrid and bitter rivals Barcelona during his playing days, says that booing is to be expected at the Bernabeu.
"In football you have to be prepared for that kind of treatment," he told Marca. "It's not a question of whether he deserves it.
"Football's like that; we shouldn't make such a big thing about it. It's water under the bridge.
"The Bernabeu has booed at the whole world, in the next game they'll applaud him. Nobody likes being booed at, but if it happens, it happens. Water off a duck's back."
Some Madrid supporters have also expressed their dissatisfaction with world-record signing Gareth Bale - despite 16 goals in an injury-hit debut season in the Spanish capital for the winger - and Figo believes that the Welshman just needs time to adapt.
"He needs a little more space, as one of his virtues is speed," the Portuguese mused. "He didn't get off to a good start because he didn't have a pre-season and wasn't physically prepared.
"But he has a lot of quality. He's come from English football, which takes some time adapting from. Real play a more organised, team attack and he has to adapt to that."
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