Cristiano Ronaldo has done it all in 2008: In a lot of people's eyes [he] was World Football Player of the Year, restored his Manchester United squad to both dominance and prominence by winning the Premiership and the UEFA Champions League, scored a record 42 goals in 49 games in the 2007/2008 season, and has become the topic of the day in every country—even in America—but for all the wrong reasons.
Ronaldo is at the top of the mountain, he's reached his peak at the tender age of 23 and now seems to have also reached his lowest point. After winning the Champions League, what seemed to be the start of a long and beautiful friendship between him and his club has turned to a nightmare.
Ronaldo has suddenly for no apparent reason had a change of heart about Manchester United and voiced his desires to join Spanish perennial powerhouse and 2008 underachievers Real Madrid.
But why? Did Tom Brady demand a trade after he won MVP or the Superbowl? Did Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant demand to be traded after ripping through the NBA with ease on their way to back-to-back-to-back titles? Did Derek Jeter demand a trade after he started his Yankees career winning enough rings to open a jewelry store? The answer to all of the above, Hell No!
What is this guys problem? There is nothing that Real Madrid can do for Ronaldo that Manchester cannot. He just won every award and title under the sun and now he's begging to leave in a place that he practically owns. Star athletes, I'll never understand them.
Thank the man upstairs for managers like Sir Alex Ferguson. Fergie, I applaud you for not giving in to these childish and immature demands. Refusing to transfer Ronaldo will do wonders for the front offices of clubs in all sports all around the world. Stars these day are too nomadic. Ronaldo just signed a five year contract in 2007, and now not even a year later he will give anything to leave England, I don't get it.
Better yet, if you're Real Madrid, who's to say he won't want to jump ship after one season in Spain. How can you trust a man who is on top of the world and still not satisfied? Realistically, Ronaldo could go to Madrid, win every title in the universe, every award in the galaxy, and still demand another transfer in 2009 to a different club and give no excuse for doing so, just as he is doing now.
Contrary to what he may believe, Madrid might not be the best place for Ronaldo. Midfielder Wesley Sneijder has already expressed his opinion on the matter, making it very clear that Real Madrid really doesn't need Ronaldo and have a squad good enough to win ever league they play in, it's just simply a matter of going out there and doing it.
He also made very clear that the salary the Ronaldo would demand, which might even double some of Madrid's current stars salaries, might not sit very well in the locker room.
But the biggest question for Ronaldo is not whether United will free him from their grasp, but whether they really want him back on the pitch for them in August. Ronaldo is currently rehabbing from knee surgery while his comrades are on their preseason world tour.
The stars comments have been the talk of the entire offseason for the Red Devils, most of which he hasn't even been present for. Carlos Tevez came out yesterday and told the English press what he felt of the situation,
"I understand Cristiano. Every footballer wants to play at Real Madrid. On the other hand, I also think that everyone wants to play for Manchester United, but if what he seeks is something else, I think that should be respected."
Now you could read those words and think Carlos is taking Ronaldo's side, or you could read them and see what Carlos probably really means:
Let him go, if he wants to leave let him! We can win without him! I'm here, Wayne Rooney is here, forget Ronaldo, lets go! We can win without him!
Whatever you do Fergie, do it quick, because we're all tired of talking about somebody who isn't even here! Let him go, get Sneijder in return and plug him in. And oh yea, don't forget to schedule an exhibition with Real Madrid!
I think Manchester has the goods to let Ronaldo go, and if the rumors are correct and Madrid is really willing to drop up to 80 million euro's on bringing the 23-year-old to Spain, Man U will have more than enough funds to go out and buy a solid midfielder—or three—to replace him.
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2 months ago
OH for shites sake ....enough already.
2 months ago
Very good article. I tend to agree with Sneijder's sentiments and I also whole heartedly agree with S B's sentiments above.
The one reason I can see for him wanting to leave is boredom. You cannot compare leaving Man U to leaving the Yankees. In Baseball one team wins the world series but in European football there is a trophy in each league and new challenges not present in the previous one. Ronaldo has shown how good he can be in the EPL so I guess he wants to prove the same in Spain.
I personally don't want to see it happen and would rather see him stay in Manchester.
2 months ago
point taken and well put. but if its the challenge he shud jjust say that instead of leave the whole world assuming he just wants a new contract and a big salary or because he's just listening to others opinions. I think its all Scolari's doing. during euro's last montb he was the one who planted this little seed in Ronaldo's ear about going to spain. he new he was going to Chelsea and tricking Ronaldo to going to Spain would help their chances
2 months ago
42 goals in 46 games you mean ?
2 months ago
I've always thought ronaldo and tevez don't seem to close.Who knows I've never seen any evidence on the pitch to suggest they like each other.
2 months ago
If he leaves United fans won't take him back. And why leave, he's got everything he needs at Manchester United. It's the best place for him to be at the moment.
2 months ago
42 goals in 49 games u mean...
2 months ago
blah blah blah, he has all major honours in england, mancheschester united is boring for him. manchester uniteds fans are blithering idiots. this is so tired. i hope he goes to real and then knocks manU out of the champions league with two brilliant individual goals....
2 months ago
He isnt going to be accepted and hailed like he used to be. After all his nagging and complaining, which man u fan would look upto him? Plus if he doesn't even want to stay at Man u, how does one expect him to reproduce his near-impossible feat? Ferguson should let him go. It'll be good for him, as well as the club. Man U is all about Rooney anyway. Cristiano just scores. When one looks at the dedication of Rooney, Tevez, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Carrick n the like, the question arises - Does Cristiano even belong at Man U? He plays a soloist game and believes in individual glory. Real Madrid is the right club for him. Man U should let him go, and prove a point by winning without him.
2 months ago
if ronaldo dosent leave united the fans will probley boo at first but after a view goals he will win them back and just when united fans think its all over the rumers will start up again next summer and madrid will once again be after him.
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