The Perfect Time to Say Goodbye

Unless you have spent the last two years living with a remote tribe in the darkest reaches of the Amazon, you might have heard something about Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid.

Apparently, he’s quite interested in playing for them.

Rumours have been re-ignited this week.  An article in The Guardian on Friday reported that a secret deal has been agreed upon between Real and the Portuguese phenom, who has stated his desire to exit Manchester at the end of the season. 

On Sunday, Ronaldo was busy hitting two goals in United’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Aston Villa—but even the prospect of a possible quintuple doesn’t appear to have cooled his oft-uttered "dream" of playing for the Spanish champions.

The move to Madrid will understandably disappoint the Old Trafford faithful but it is the right choice for Ronaldo and arguably for United as well.

He will never be able to reach the peak of last season when his 42 goals inspired Sir Alex Ferguson’s team to success at home and in Europe: His body language this season has given away his immense frustration with being unable to recapture the magic.

If that is indeed the case, then United may be best advised to take advantage of Madrid’s offer, rumoured to be around £75 million, and cash in on a fee which would comfortably become the highest in football history.

This season, defenses in England have been understandably aware of his abilities.  It is rare that you see Ronaldo surrounded by any less than two or three opposition defenders.

His reputation as someone who often makes a meal of challenges precedes him, but whatever you think about Ronaldo, it is difficult to deny that he is one of the most fouled players in European football.  His frustration when being manhandled at hostile grounds across the country has been rather transparent.

Some comparisons can be drawn between Ronaldo and another rather eminent United winger, George Best. Best received some similarly tough treatment in an era when referees were far less sympathetic towards attackers.  His game declined steadily after becoming a European Champion in 1968.

If Best’s brilliance faded in a haze of hedonism and alcohol addiction then Ronaldo’s is under threat of being overshadowed by increasingly irritating displays of petulance.

Spanish football just might be the solution. The less physical, more open and attacking nature of the Iberian game could allow Ronaldo the kind of freedom in which to express his mercurial talents in the way that players such as Messi, Aguero and Robben can, week in, week out.

Waving goodbye to Ronaldo might be painful, but it is fast becoming the best option.