Crossword Genius

Footballer right about mad lad with ball (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ronaldo

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'footballer' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'right about mad lad with ball' is the wordplay.
'right about mad lad' becomes 'ronald' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'ball' becomes 'o' (O looks like a ball).
'ronald'+'o'='RONALDO'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ronaldo that I've seen before include "Cristiano - - Portugese striker" , "European footballer" , "Red" , "Soccer star" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app