Cristiano Ronaldo's anger at being substituted against Las Palmas

It’s not a normal image. In fact, it’s such a rare image that it would be difficult to find a photograph of Cristiano Ronaldo being substituted when he’s not injured. It occurred on Saturday, though, at the Gran Canaria Stadium during the game between Real Madrid and Las Palmas. 

After 72 minutes, shortly after Karim Benzema had restored Zinedine Zidane’s side’s lead on the night, the French coach decided to take off Ronaldo. The Portuguese international’s face said all that needed to be said as he left the pitch. He was cold with his replacement Lucas Vazquez, but he was more distant when his manager offered his hand. 

Being taken off did not go down well with Ronaldo. And he didn’t even seem that happy at Benzema’s goal, because he made an incomprehensible gesture when the ball crossed the line. As the Madrid players ran to celebrate, Ronaldo did so with parsimony and almost obligation. And with the 31-year-old sat on the bench, Las Palmas grabbed a late equaliser.