Cristiano Ronaldo: 5 Clubs Rich Enough to Entice the Real Madrid Star
The likelihood of Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid in the near-future seems pretty remote.
The Portuguese star completed his dream move to Los Blancos back in 2009, and while Pep Guardiola's Barcelona have since proved an especially tough obstacle to navigate in fulfilling the ambitions Ronaldo no doubt holds for his team, he has continued to prove his value as one of football's most talented and entertaining players.
Just recently Ronaldo told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope he would happily sign on for another ten years with the capital giants.
Still, this is Real Madrid, a club that's definition of consistency and loyalty extends to not sacking a coach during a game.
Should the Bernabéu dream turn sour for Ronaldo there would be many clubs more than happy to add him to their squads. Unfortunately for most of European football, only a select few have the prestige and money to afford the player's wages and/or the type of enormous fee Real Madrid might demand.
So who are these clubs? Why would Ronaldo want to join them, and could he possibly be tempted?
Manchester City
1 of 5
Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Gary Cook (pictured) are the envy of chairmen and chief executives throughout the football world, their plans of dominating the game substantiated by the enormity of a seemingly bottomless war-chest at their disposal.
A successful season for Manchester City that has seen them fulfil their ambition of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League made recent reports of a bid as high as £150 million bid for Cristiano Ronaldo, at least in football terms, not completely out of the realms of possibility.
They are the emerging force of European football and have the financial backing to ensure that sooner rather than later they will be competing amongst the sport's elite. Ronaldo would unquestionably be the kind of big-money, big name signing to herald such an arrival and help maintain that stay.
With the kind of numbers they would be offering, coupled with what by that point would be one of the most talented squads around, Ronaldo be tempted.
While it is not out of the realms of possibility he would move to the rivals of his ex-club Manchester United, as long as Sir Alex Ferguson is still around it is hard to see Ronaldo disappointing the mentor who has played such a big role in his career trajectory.
Chelsea
2 of 5
Nobody assumed Chelsea would never spend money on players again, but for a while it really did look like Roman Abramovich was embracing a new frugality when it came to buying players for his club.
Then he spent £50 million on Fernando Torres.
The verdict on that particular purchase remains to be seen, but if nothing else it indicated that Chelsea are still not shy in spending big with the best of them.
Just quite what direction the club is heading in remains to be seen. Regardless of who the Blues appoint as their new manager, Abramovich's impatience for Champions League success means they would do well to last more than a season.
Perhaps that atmosphere of unpredictability would suit someone like Ronaldo, already well familiar with the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune from just two seasons with Real Madrid.
More likely is that Ronaldo's next move will be partially based on somewhere a little calmer, less prone to upheaval. While Chelsea right now remain one of Europe's best teams, there is a lot of work to be done to ensure their aging squad is redeveloped.
Inter Milan
3 of 5
Those writing Italy's Serie A off are a little hasty in their obituaries. While it does not enjoy the high profile it did just six or seven years ago, it remains one of Europe's most competitive leagues and home to a cultured, engrossing brand of football.
If the country can address the issues that have sent attendances tumbling and finances ruined, there is still a foundation there in which one of football's most glamorous competitions can again be built.
Such a project naturally requires a spark, a catalyst, and one such player is Cristiano Ronaldo.
The only Italian club perhaps capable of enticing him are Inter Milan.
Owner and president Massimo Moratti (pictured with club captain Javier Zanetti) has spent huge sums over the years, and though it took the help of the Calciopoli scandal of 2006, it has paid off in their success in recent seasons. Though there is also money and heritage at other clubs like AC Milan and Juventus, Inter are once more 'blessed' with the kind of arrogance and chutzpah to really have a go at signing one of the biggest names in football.
If Ronaldo grows tired of Spain and does not wish to return to England, Inter might prove the only other club capable of fulfilling his financial and professional ambitions. He might well be the player to ensure they do not go another 40 plus years without a Champions League trophy.
Manchester United
4 of 5
Of the five clubs listed here capable of buying Cristiano Ronaldo, in many ways Manchester United seem the most likely of actually doing it.
Despite the concern of the fans over the financial situation at the club, the continued success of the team aligned with their early foray into the transfer market already this summer suggests the well won't be drying anytime soon.
If the practical concerns of a Ronaldo transfer back to Old Trafford are not much of an issue, the emotional concerns of the player seem even less so.
Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague has previously reported on Sky Sports Revista De La Liga programme that Ronaldo was taken aback by just how tense and disorganised the goings-on behind the scenes at Real were, and just how unfavourably he viewed them in comparison with his time at Old Trafford.
Were it not for the comparatively chillier and greyer English climate and a desire for warmer climes, Ronaldo may have been tempted to remain in Manchester.
If the timing was right, should Ronaldo ever want away, Alex Ferguson and Manchester United may be ready and waiting.
Barcelona
5 of 5
Barcelona are the least likely destination for any eventual Cristiano Ronaldo departure from Real Madrid. But as the man himself said in that interview with the Cadena Cope radio station,
""Never play for Barcelona? Never is a strong word."
"
Some big name players have moved the other way before, Barcelona greats like Michael Laudrup and Luis Figo risked the fury of the Catalan fans for the riches and ambition of Real.
But times have changed somewhat. While Barcelona were hardly unsuccessful (Laudrup was of a course a member of Johan Cruyff's 'Dream Team' before he moved), they have arguably never scaled the heights they currently are reaching.
Despite their current success, Barca themselves are in a uncertain financial state. This however has never stopped them finding the means to spend big before. With Lionel Messi, among others, currently in their ranks, it seems almost impossible they would go for Ronaldo.
However as the Portuguese himself said, you can never rule anything out. Perhaps Barcelona are becoming that good, they may one day be the ones taking from their rivals. Messi playing with Ronaldo? Now that is a whole other discussion...
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
