What will be the next step for Cristiano Ronaldo? That is the question posed in Italy, France, England and even the United States as speculation continues to haunt the Juventus forward and his future in club football.
Earlier this month, journalistic reports from Italy suggested that Vecchia Signora, whose finances have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, will sell to the 36-year-old Portuguese this summer for a minimum price of £ 25 million. sterling; with the aim of getting rid of Cristiano’s annual salary commitment, which is approximately £ 28 million. However, this kind of information is nothing new: the big buzz in the football world since the start of the season is that Ronaldo is available at the right price.
The elimination of Juve from the Champions League in the eighth finals by Porto was another hard blow to Juve’s money printing machine and after signing Cristiano from Real Madrid in 2018, culminating in the club’s plans to win that match. , the failures so far to take home the most important trophy in club football have led to the opportunity to be sold at the end of the current campaign.
Despite his age, Cristiano continues to score goals at an incredible pace. His hat-trick in the weekend’s match against Cagliari boosted his production in the current tournament, scoring 30 goals in 33 matches with Juve’s shirt. In addition, the achievement led him to add 770 goals for life, surpassing the record set by the legendary Pelé (767) by three goals. Despite being 36 years old and earning a big salary, it can be said that Ronaldo is still good value for money thanks to his scoring production; so you will not be short of options this summer. But what are those possible options?
ESPN has analyzed the preliminary operations that could be presented to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner:
In 2018, Cristiano left the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium as the owner of Real Madrid’s historic top scorer title, with 450 goals in 438 appearances. When Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane was asked if he would be happy to get Ronaldo’s services back, the Frenchman responded by saying he was a “great” player.
Sportingly, Madrid has not been able to make up for the absence of Ronaldo’s scoring production since leaving the club. Eden Hazard has struggled to cause any repercussion, and there is no doubt that Zidane’s squad could benefit from the many that Cristiano could contribute, even with 36 years in tow. However, Madrid is also desperately trying to cut their payroll by sending players in their 30s with heavy salaries, such as Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric. Bale has one more year on his contract, currently on loan to Tottenham, with a salary of £ 600,000 a week.
Freeing up financial space to sign Cristiano would make little sense; Although Lionel Messi is leaving Barcelona for the time being, the idea of bringing back his former superstar at a time when Barça is losing the best footballer in their history would clearly appeal to the White House.
Madrid could justify the operation, both sportingly and commercially. It may not make economic sense; but the meringues always seem to get money when they need it, which means we can’t rule out a return from CR7 to the Bernabéu.
It has been 12 years since Cristiano left Old Trafford for Real Madrid, via a £ 80 million transfer that set a world record at the time. However, United has since tried to win it back several times. Some innuendo were more serious than others, especially in 2013 and 2014; The stars never quite lined up, however, and his move to Juventus three years ago seemed to end any chance of a return to the Red Devils.
Despite the above, United are a club that should sign a striker this summer and if attempts to sign young Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland fail, Cristiano would be a compelling alternative.
On the field, Ronaldo continues to make major contributions to the Juventus case; therefore United could hope for at least one good season from their former player, and the price of the pass, £ 25 million, would be relatively affordable. Cristiano’s salary would be heavy, but United would make the most of its returns from a marketing standpoint.
Faced with uncertainty about Paul Pogba’s future, United could take Ronaldo as part of an operation aimed at the Frenchman’s return to Juventus, and ensure that one great figure is traded in for another. Likewise, should Messi be signed by Manchester City, a provisional return from Ronaldo to United could be impossible, given the opportunity to write the final chapter of his rivalry with the Argentine playing in the Premier League.
In short, don’t rule out a possible return to the Red Devils, especially if the Glazer family, who own United, believe that Cristiano has the same profile as Tom Brady, whose departure to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also has the NFL franchise. assisted. owned by the Glazers, to win this year’s Super Bowl.
Every time a star footballer becomes available, PSG always comes into the fray, and Ronaldo’s case will be no different. However, the situation in the French capital is changing at the moment.
If the current French champion can keep the services of Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, the chances of trying to sign Cristiano would be very slim. Thanks to the financial consequences of the pandemic, the list of possible suitors for Neymar and Mbappé has been drastically reduced; and there is probably no market that is interested in any of them. Barça wants to get Neymar back, while Madrid is looking for Mbappé, but it is doubtful that either of them can get the necessary resources to carry out an operation of such magnitude.
However, PSG is also interested in signing Cristiano, in the same way it wants to take Messi’s services from Barcelona. If Neymar and Mbappé are persuaded to leave the Parc des Princes, PSG could even try to form a Messi-Cristiano duo as the centerpiece of a dream squad in the City of Lights. Despite the above, PSG has too many conditionals in mind at this point to be considered a viable option for Cristiano. They are still there, behind the scenes; But many things have to happen before Ronaldo will play in Paris.
Several sources have informed ESPN that Cristiano is being affected by an attempt to move to the United States, albeit as a likely final destination in his 20-year football career. However, if Ronaldo hints at opening 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 team’s ownership group, including the former United and Real Madrid star. David Beckham.
Current Inter Miami manager Phil Neville played alongside a young Cristiano at Old Trafford and he, along with Beckham, is said to have a personal connection to Cristiano that could help them finalize a deal. For their part, LA Galaxy and LAFC would also be interested in signing Ronaldo, bearing in mind that these clubs could offer him the attractive Los Angeles lifestyle, but most MLS teams would not have the option of signing of the 36th anniversary. -old shooter.
Location and weather will be key: Cristiano has never gotten used to Manchester weather, so don’t expect to head to Kansas or Minnesota.
CONTINUE WITH THE JUVENTUS
Cristiano has only one year left on his contract with Juventus; therefore, the reality for all parties involved is that they only change equipment when it suits them. While it is true that he did not win the Champions League with Juve, Ronaldo has won the Serie A titles in his Bianconera shirt in his two full seasons, scoring 95 goals in 122 appearances. His time in Italy has been a success and he doesn’t have to change teams or move to a less demanding competition for him for financial reasons.
However, if he finds himself unwelcome in Turin, the call to return to Madrid or Manchester, where he would be glorified and well paid, could convince him to leave Juventus.
Currently, all letters are in favor of Cristiano. Both Madrid and United could find a way to sign him if he makes it clear that he is willing to return to one of these clubs, while his stay with Juventus would allow him to leave as a freelancer in 2022.
If he continues in Italy, a move to MLS at the age of 37 would be a sure bet; although if he decides to leave Juventus, the current Italian champion will have to sell the idea to Cristiano himself first.
JUDGMENT
Last week, Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici said the club has no plans to renew Cristiano’s contract in Turin, although he paused before stating the Portuguese forward’s departure was a possibility. However, sources have informed ESPN that Juventus would be open to a sale of the player with the intention of rebuilding the squad and moving the funds currently earmarked to pay his salary. don’t discourage clubs from submitting offers for him.
Currently, both Madrid and United are the most likely destinations, although Ronaldo is not a priority for either. However, it is an operation that can be performed as long as the player clearly indicates that he is willing to switch teams.
In the current situation, PSG has too much business to do, and it is also true that a 12-month deadline seems too early to pack their bags for the MLS. So unless United of Madrid decide to step in and make a solid move this summer, Cristiano ‘s most likely fate is to wear the Juventus shirt for another year.
Don’t rule out a possible move to United or Real Madrid. As a short-term solution and as a commercial and marketing project, it makes sense for both clubs to bring back Ronaldo’s services.