What will be the next step for Cristiano Ronaldo? This is the question being asked in Italy, France, England and even in the United States, as speculation continues to haunt the Juventus striker and his future in club football.
Earlier this month, Italian media reports suggested that Vecchia Signora, whose finances had been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, would be sold this summer to the 36-year-old Portuguese man, at a minimum price of £ 25 million. pound sterling; in order to get rid of Cristiano’s annual salary commitment, which is about £ 28 million. However, information like this is nothing new: the big buzz in the football world at the beginning of the season was that Ronaldo is available at the right price.
The elimination of Juve in the eighth finals of the Champions League from the hand of Porto was another strong blow to the printing press of Juve money and after signing Cristiano in 2018, from Real Madrid, as the last piece of the club’s plans wins this competition, the failures experienced so far in lifting the most important trophy in club football have led to the possibility of selling them after the end of the current campaign.
Despite his age, Cristiano continues to score goals at an incredible pace. His hat trick in the weekend match against Cagliari increased his production in the current tournament, reaching 30 goals in 33 matches wearing the Juve shirt. In addition, his feat led him to add 770 goals for life, beating the record of the legendary Pelé (767) by three goals. Despite being 36 years old and earning a high salary, it can be argued that Ronaldo is still a good value for money due to his score production; so you won’t run out of opportunities this summer. But what are those possible options?
ESPN looked at the interim trades that could be presented to the five-time Golden Balloon winner:
In 2018, Cristiano left the Santiago Bernabéu stadium as the owner of Real Madrid’s historic goal scorer title, with 450 goals in 438 appearances. When Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane was asked if he would be happy to regain Ronaldo’s services, the Frenchman replied that he was a “magnificent” player.
From a sporting point of view, Madrid has failed to make up for the absence of Ronaldo’s outstanding production since leaving the club. Eden Hazard has struggled to cause repercussions and there is no doubt that Zidane’s team could benefit from the many that Cristiano could contribute, even with 36 years in the trailer. However, Madrid are desperately trying to reduce their salary, sending players in their thirties with onerous salaries, such as Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric. Bale has another year on his contract, currently on loan at Tottenham, with a salary of £ 600,000 a week.
Freeing up the financial space to sign Cristiano would not make much sense; although Lionel Messi is tentatively leaving Barcelona, the idea of bringing back his former superstar at a time when Barça are losing the best footballer in their history would have an obvious appeal to the White House.
Madrid could justify the operation, both sporting and commercial. It may not make economic sense; but meringue always seems to get money when they need it, which means we can’t rule out CR7 returning to the Bernabéu.
It has been 12 years since Cristiano left Old Trafford for Real Madrid, through a transfer of 80 million pounds and which at that time set a world record. However, United have tried countless times to regain it since then. Some insinuations were more serious than others, especially in 2013 and 2014; however, the stars never lined up, and his move to Juventus three years ago seemed to put an end to any chance of returning to the Red Devils.
Despite the above, United are a club that must sign a striker this summer and, if attempts to sign young Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland fail, Cristiano would be a convincing alternative.
On the field, Ronaldo continues to make great contributions to the Juventus cause; therefore, United could hope to get at least a good season from their former player, and the price of the move, at 25 million pounds, would be relatively affordable. Cristiano’s salary would be difficult, but United would make the most of his return in terms of marketing.
Faced with uncertainty about Paul Pogba’s future, United could take Ronaldo as part of any operation aimed at the Frenchman’s return to Juventus, making sure he will change one big figure for another. Similarly, if Messi were signed by Manchester City, a temporary return of Ronaldo to United could be impossible to resist, given the possibility of writing the last chapter of his rivalry with the Argentine who plays in the Premier League.
Bottom line: Don’t rule out a possible return to the Red Devils, especially if the Glazer family, which owns United, believe Cristiano has the same profile as Tom Brady, whose departure to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers helped the NFL franchise as well. owned by the Glazers, to win the Super Bowl this year.
Every time a star footballer becomes available, PSG always enters the fight, and Ronaldo’s case will not be different. However, the situation in the French capital is fluid at the moment.
If the current French champion is able to keep the services of Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, the chances of trying to sign Cristiano would be very small. Due to the financial repercussions of the pandemic, the list of potential suitors for Neymar and Mbappé has been drastically reduced; and there is probably no market interested in any of them. Barça want to get Neymar back, while Madrid are looking for Mbappé, but it is doubtful that any of them can obtain the necessary resources to carry out an operation of such magnitude.
However, PSG are also interested in signing Cristiano, in the same way they are trying to snatch Messi’s services from Barcelona. If Neymar and Mbappé are convinced to leave the Parc des Princes, PSG could even try to form a Messi-Cristiano duet as a central element of a dream team in the City of Light. Despite the above, at the moment PSG is considering too many conditions to be considered a viable option for Cristiano. I’m still behind the scenes; But a lot of things have to happen first for Ronaldo to get to play in Paris.
Several sources have indicated to ESPN that Cristiano is hit by an attempt to move to the United States, although as a probable final destination in his 20-year football career. However, if Ronaldo gives any sign of openness to the possibility of leaving for MLS this summer, Inter Miami would automatically jump to the top of the queue, due to the ambition of the group of owners of the team, which includes former United and Real Madrid David Beckham.
The current Inter Miami manager, Phil Neville, played with a young Cristiano at Old Trafford and he, together with Beckham, would have a personal connection with Cristiano who could help him complete a transaction. In turn, LA Galaxy and LAFC would also be interested in signing Ronaldo, given that these clubs could give him an attractive lifestyle in Los Angeles, but most MLS teams would not have the opportunity. to finance the signing of the 36-year-old shipowner.
Location and weather will be essential: Cristiano has never gotten used to the weather in Manchester, so don’t expect to see him leave for Kansas or Minnesota.
CONTINUE WITH JUVENTUS
Cristiano has only one more year left on his contract with Juventus; therefore, the reality for all parties involved is that they would change the equipment only if it suits them. Although it is true that he did not win the Champions League with Juve, Ronaldo won Serie A titles in the two full seasons wearing the Bianconera shirt, scoring 95 goals in 122 appearances. His time in Italy has been a success and he does not need to change the team for financial reasons or go to a less demanding league for him.
However, if he realizes that he is not wanted in Turin, the call of a return to Madrid or Manchester, where he would be idolized and well paid, could convince him to leave Juventus.
Currently, all the letters are in favor of Cristiano. Both Madrid and United could find a way to sign him, if he clearly shows his desire to return to one of these clubs, while his stay at Juventus would allow him to leave as a free agent in 2022.
If he continues in Italy, going to MLS at 37 would be a possibility; although, if he decides to leave Juventus, the current Italian champions should first sell Cristiano’s idea himself.
VERDICT
Last week, Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici said the club did not intend to extend Cristiano’s contract at Torino, although he took a break before saying the Portuguese striker’s departure was a possibility. However, sources told ESPN that Juve would be open to selling the player, with the intention of being able to rebuild the team and move the resources currently intended to pay his salary, which is why he would not discourage other clubs from submitting offers for he.
Currently, both Madrid and United are the most likely destinations, although Ronaldo is not the priority for any of them. However, it is an operation that could be performed, as long as the player provides clear indications of his desire to change the team.
In the current situation, PSG has too many businesses to deal with and it is also true that a period of 12 months seems too early to pack for MLS. So, unless United or Madrid decide to jump in and make a firm move this summer, the most likely destiny for Cristiano is to spend another year wearing the Juventus shirt.
Do not rule out a possible move to United or Real Madrid. As a short-term solution and commercial and marketing project, bringing Ronaldo’s services back makes sense for both clubs.