With his European Championships now over, Cristiano Ronaldo finally revealed what so many have been wanting for weeks to find out. The Manchester United star revealed his interest in making a move to Real Madrid, and while he tried to steer clear of any direct proclamations, some of his statements made it pretty obvious where he wants to be next season.
"The possibilities are big," Ronaldo said about his chances of going to Real Madrid. "But it doesn’t depend on me and because of that I don’t want to talk about it."
Ronaldo would not confirm whether Real Madrid had already made an offer or not, but did say, "In the next few days we’ll see if we reach an agreement.
"Everyone knows what I want," Ronaldi said. "But in the next two or three days you’ll have something new."
For someone who didn’t want to talk about the potential move, Ronaldo had plenty more to say.
"Personal, it’s something I want, something I dream about," Ronaldo said of a Real Madrid move. "It’s a dream, a step forward. For me it’s a very good opportunity."
What next? Now that it has become clear that Ronaldo wants to leave, Real Madrid and Manchester United must agree on a transfer fee, something United is surely going to make difficult for Real Madrid.
What will it take from Real Madrid? A package including Robinho has long been rumored, but just how much cash it will take remains to be seen. You can rest assured a new transfer record will be set if and when Ronaldo is sold.
What do you think about Ronaldo’s apparent decision to leave Manchester United? Is it the right time to leave? Is he crazy to leave? Share your thoughts below.
While I hate both teams, I think Cronaldo should saty with ManU. He made it big with ManU, let’s see if he can do it again.
@dwbpnm-you are closer to the truth of this, I think, than a lot of other people here. ManU knows that CR is a big part of their brand right now, and that is going to be a factor. SAF’s player needs are always important, but they are not the end of the discussion.
And as for Ramos coming over, he is a great player, but with Evra on the left, it seems like you have 2 guys with the same strengths and weaknesses on both sides. Just feels a bit less than ideal, IMHO.
And, as someone pointed out, why don’t ManU just sign Quaresma to replace him? Aren’t all tricky Portuguese wingers the same? 😉
I love all the people talking about how Ronaldo is washed up at 23, won’t do well in Spain, etc. I agree his attitude needs work and his hair is a little annoying, but he’s definitely the best player in the world.
Will he score another 42 goals next year – doubtful regardless of where he plays, but then again he is a midfielder, and that won’t be a sign he isn’t the best player in the world or even getting better.
Let’s just look at some date for a second. Remember the last midfielder to win the best player award? That’s right Kaka. You know how many goals he scored? 21.
But, what about the argument of Ronaldo feeding off the bottom on the EPL? Well, he scored 22 of his 42 goals against teams in the top of the EPL table or in the Champions League. He scored another 8 against teams 11-13 in the EPL (Tottenham, Newcastle, and Middlesborough). So, that’s 30 of 42 goals not by complete money grubbing bottom feeders like Derby. That means – in case you missed it, he was scoring goals in important games, like say the Champions League final.
Does that mean Real should buy him or Man U sell him? I don’t know, not bad choices for him either way. But, it does mean that the data supports he is a great player – and likely to continue to perform even if I coach him at Real Madrid 🙂
I just don’t see how Real can pay ManU enough to make them give up the best player in the world when he’s only 23 without completely screwing themselves over. He’s worth at least 150 million pounds to ManU when you factor in the merchandising. So if it were an all cash deal they’d want at least that much. I’d say Ramos, Robinho, and 100million would get ManU talking. The problem for Real is that if they spend that type of money on 1 player even they can’t afford to do much else to replace the players they’d also be giving up.
Ronaldo is a greased-hair douchebag. THere’s absolutely no way he’ll have the same success at RM as ManU. ManU is built around him and offers him the best platform to perform. Fergie is the world’s greatest manager, not to mention stable like a rock. RM is a drama club with a revolving coach lineup that makes the early Steinbrenner look loyal. I say sell him for $175,000,000, money on the barrel head.
How is it that Real Madrid can afford to make this type of offer for Ronaldo, and ManU can’t? Don’t get me wrong, I understand they are a huge club – but isn’t ManU a bigger club? Certainly through the EPL, ManU has greater worldwide visibility – has this not translated into more revenue and hence the ability to keep Rondaldo?
Of course Ronaldo has to make the move to Madrid – this will give him the opportunity to win the Champions Lea…oh, wait…
Hilarious to see the Mancs on here try to tar Ronaldo and dismiss his desires to leave, without who they wouldn’t have won the PL or CL last season. I think this move makes total sense for him. He isn’t from England and has won everything meaningful that you can in the PL. The only this that could top his 2008 season would be a treble and 45 goals, something that isn’t likely to ever happen. Why not go out on top?
And someone threw out the term “unreasonable compensation”…you think Robinho, Ramos, and several million pounds is reasonable for one player?
Man Utd need to careful here.
What young player would consider a move to England if they handle this the wrong way? Would Man Utd be able to attract the top talent in the world?
I honestly don’t blame Ronaldo. Who wouldn’t want to play for Real Madrid at his age? A Footballer’s life is only so long.
Of course CRonaldo could be talking about his dreams purely as a bargaining tool with ManU. I mean, what’s the point of him saying he loves it in Manchester and doesn’t want to leave?
Goose, all Ives is doing is reporting the soccer news.
Thoughts on Ronaldo?
I’d like him to stay, but you know what? With all the cash and player(s) ManU can get for him, they might come out of this better than they were before.
My thoughts: Time to remove this blog from my RSS reader now that it’s spoiled a Euro result for the SECOND time.
I know this is more my problem because I’m looking at *soccer blogs* when I don’t want to know a score, but I’m subscribed to 7 or 8 soccer blogs and this is the only one that has ruined results for me.
Do you guys realise you is in charge at Man Mr genius himself sir alex furguson . he will turn Anderson into the next big thing and make it seem as if you Ronaldo was not even there so Real will only have the best player in the world with no guarantee of success in Europe while MAN U WILL continue to kick ass in the premiership with or without Ronaldo . SAF will always be SAF and thus Man U will always be ballin.
Maaaaannnnnn…… Ronaldo needs to wise up and come play for the Galaxy!!!
In all honesty, I think that it would be an interesting move for Ronaldo. I dont know how well he would do in Espaina but I think that he would do well overall I don’t see another 41 goals but I think that he might be able to pull off 30.
I think Glazer tells him to suck it up. If Man U is smart they will hold out for unreasonable compensation. Otherwise, remind him he signed a contract.
Larry said it best. Quiroz had a lot to do with Ronaldo’s success too. He’s crazy to leave. Players excel in stable environments. Real Madrid will have 3 more coaches in the next 6 years. As Man U fan I think he’s classless. They stood by him when he played Rooney off the World Cup pitch, defended him when he’s accused of a night out with hookers, develop him to stardom, extended him a huge contract, and this is how he re-pays them?
All bias aside, I think he might be (Ronaldo) rushing this move, as far as the footballing side of things.
In terms of money, there is never going to be a better time for him to move, ever, both for him and his club.
So if I were advising him and he asked me purely from a footballing perspective, I would tell him to stay. If he asked me purely from a monetary perspective, I’d tell him to go. Let’s just hope they get a player back in this deal.
Ronaldo should take the deal. ManU should make the deal. NO team should pay that much for a player that may already have peaked. Players don’t stay on top of the world for long (excepting Ronaldo and he had his up and down years but still produced at a high level for almost a decade). Ronaldhino lasted 4-5 years, Eto’o more like two. Shevchenko had some longevity but at the top flight, he was only dominant for maybe 4-6 (depending on your definition). Real will make a mess of it but will benefit for two years…but it’s still not worth all that. They missed Beckham’s prime too. It’s what they do…make fatheaded moves for the splash effect. Maybe it pays off in merchandise sales but on the pitch…no guarantees.
I hope ManU turns it down. Since I root against them, it will only be a distraction all year if he’s there and doesn’t have his heart in it.
Cheers,
After seeing all of this play out it reminds me a little (and I mean LITTLE) of David Beckham and his move to Real. Everyone was up in arms because he was in his prime and thought he’d be a big splash for Real. Let’s not forget Ronaldo, as Beckham, is a huge marketing tool. They sell jerseys, t-shirts, etc. If I remember ManU paid an additional $10 mill to Beckham a year for his branding rights. Imagine what Ronaldo would go for now.
I give this story another 10 days and then i’m putting it up there with Hicks/Gillette/DIC BS…
the robinho and ramos (or Snejder) trades only work for ManU if they want to play and live in Manchester. Madrid is a great city to be young, rich and famous in, Manchester though?
Why mess with success? Things are going great for him at Man U and success and prosperity are NOT guaranteed at Madrid. If things go downhill for him in the next couple of years this will be seen as the worst decision of his life. A great coach and great supporting cast were a large part of his rise the past 2 years. In my mind this is not a wise decision if he does in fact leave.
Agree with Larry. I’m sure he’ll still be great, but he won’t have a year that is better than what he achieved this past season. $75 million, Ramos and Robinho. Then spend that $75 mill on a striker like Berbatov, Villa or Santa Cruz and we’ll be at least as good as this past season if not better.
Larry. Toally agree.
Wesley Sneider and cash. ManU can pick up a winger and another forward and be fine if not better.
Not a big fan of Robinho. S. Ramos has looked suspect so far in this tournament.
I can’t help but think that the greatness of CRonaldo is the product of his environment. ManU and Sir Alex, in particular, have made him great. Perhaps I am wrong, but I doubt any other combination of team and coach will be able to keep CRonaldo at the high level he achieved this year.
An additional winger (with the soon departure of giggs as well) would also be helpful….hmmm….Quaresma?
Agreed with CBR. Ramos, Robinho, y Dinero and you’ve got yourself a deal. We would kill every team with two new players of the caliber of those 2, and overall it makes our team much better.
If I where Real Madrid I wouldnt think that acquring Ronaldo will make me the favorite to win the Champions league. Over the last few months, including EURO 2008, his play has not been that great. In spain he will not be scoring the amount of goals he scored over the last two years in England. Outside of the big 4 in England the other 16 teams in England are weaker than the mid to bottom clubs in Spain, so Ronaldo will not be dominating like he did with Man U. If i were him I would stay where Im at.
robinho, sergio ramos and cash and you have yourself a deal my friend.
I think its a mistake for Real Madrid to sign him. Yes, i know he’s the best player in the world but Real Madrid has got to know that the whole Galacticos theme didn’t work all that well. How many Champions League’s did they win?