'Real' Nightmare: Will things ever be the same in England for Ronaldo?

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.