Portugual international, Cristiano Ronaldo, helped his team, Real Madrid, to win the EUFA Champions League Trophy by beating Juventus, but admirers believe something special in him did the magic.
His numerous fans in Nigeria hailed each move and shouted “Ororo” each time he scores.
Ororo in Yoruba language means groundnut oil and what is the link between Ronaldo and groundnut oil?
“ We call him `Ororo because he is very slippery and fluid in the field. It is difficult to hold him as he is everywhere.
“He meanders from all angles and slippery like the oil,’’ says a 20-year-old student, Gbenga Ashiru of the is the third-most expensive Association Football transfer on 94 million Euros, from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009.
Ashiru told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that on Tuesday in Lagos that Ronaldo contributed immensely to Madrid’s successes in the EUFA campaigns and winning of the Laliga in Spain.
Cristiano Ronaldo
“Check out his outings in the just-concluded season.
“ The Portugal captain now has a remarkable record of 105 goals in 140 Champions League games — 12 of those coming in 13 games this season.
“Ronaldo has scored 600 goals in all competitions for club and country,’’ he said.
Another fan, Chris Ige, a sports analyst, says Ronaldo has done so much for his club and country.
“The nick name “Ororo’’ justifies his contributions to the club and country.
“The truth is that Ronaldo is a star player who has a way of destabilising opponents and getting vital goals.
“It is rare to see such players,’’ he said. “The only way to describe his moves is to say that he is very slippery and difficult to cage during games.’’
Ige noted that at 32, Ronaldo was still good.
“I am one of his great admirers and have followed his career. I am optimistic he has more to deliver in the next football season,’’ he said.
However, Wale Amos, a 23-year-old computer analyst, believes that Ronaldo’s prowess was a source of inspiration to many Nigerian youths.
“Football talents in our country, especially youths, will learn from Ronaldo`s style and translate it into play.
“I have also seen several of such youths shouting “Ororo’’ while playing and this is where the inspiration comes.
“Ronaldo is now a cult hero among young talents and they will strive to emulate his style.
“I am optimistic that one day, Nigeria will have a Cristiano Ronaldo. Indeed, our brand of Ororo will soon emerge and I pray, he should be as good as Cristiano.
“Nothing comes easy. Such talents need to work hard to get to Ronaldo’s level. I am sure Ronaldo did not become a star over night.
“We have potential in this country that can rise to Ronaldo’s level and it’s just a matter of time,’’ he said.
Amos also tasked the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to leverage on the local league like the J-League sponsored by the Lagos State Government to discover such stars.
“I am aware that the J-league has produced stars like Wilfred Ndidi, Leicester City’s Midfielder, who recently won the club’s young player award this year.
“It has also produced Victor Osimhen, former national U-17 star. There is need to encourage other states to emulate the Lagos example.
“The aim is to discover many talents and have ready-made materials at all times.
“Nigeria will benefit from such a venture,’’ he said.
For those who do not know the meaning of “Ororo’’ and its link to football, Cristiano Ronaldo is the man behind the mask.
His numerous fans in Lagos gave him the name to show how slippery and fluid he can be in the field.
