Cristiano Ronaldo Cannot Allow Gareth Bale's Potential Arrival to Impact Play

Unfortunately for Tottenham Hotspur fans, it is difficult to get away right now from discussion of Gareth Bale joining Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid.

Stories—such as this one in the Daily Telegraph—are popping up on a near hourly basis with the latest reported "details" on a possible deal for the Welshman.

Fans and interested observers of the La Liga club have been similarly pondering how Ronaldo and Bale could work together within Carlo Ancelotti’s team—including Bleacher Report’s Tim Stannard.

One man who has been quiet on Bale’s possible arrival has been Ronaldo himself.

For the Portuguese, there are connotations to his fellow attacker’s signing that go beyond the exciting prospect of what they might do together on the pitch.

It is difficult to analyze someone you do not know, but in the public arena at least, Ronaldo has a reputation of having something of a delicate ego.

This was notably enhanced by his admission early last season, as recorded in a Daily Telegraph article by Mark Ogden that, he was “sad” at Real Madrid. “It’s a professional thing. Real Madrid know why I’m not happy,” Ronaldo added.

Despite continuing to go from strength to strength individually (a superb 55 goals for Real in 2012-13), the rumblings of discontent surrounding him at the Bernabeu have not disappeared.

Talk of Bale joining has heightened them.

Real certainly (and understandably) seem keen to keep the 28-year-old. However former club President Ramon Calderon told UK radio station talkSPORT he also believes the move for Bale is to ensure there is a replacement in case Ronaldo departs.

Regardless of what his next move is, Ronaldo must not allow Bale joining Real to cloud his judgement as to the next step in his football career.

The prospect of sharing the limelight in the Spanish capital might annoy him. As might the (not unduly reasonable) concern that Bale is coming in to take his place in a year or two against his will.

If this is a contributory factor in him considering leaving—at least reportedly in stories such as Jamie Lewis’ in the London Evening Standard—then he must get over it.

Ronaldo remains a largely supreme player who must realize, so long as he wants to be (and his talent warrants it), he will be Real’s main man.

Ancelotti will certainly be viewing Bale as someone to augment Ronaldo, rather than replace him. Should the move go through, it would be a shame for the original £80 million man to overlook the tantalizing possibilities of him combining with the man who may be about to trump that earlier transfer fee.