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IT seems hardly a day has gone by over the last six months without speculation as to where the Portuguese’s next destination might be. During the summer all the talk was of a return to Old Trafford, the theatre where Ronaldo first rose to the billing of star man. In recent months the focus has been shifted inexorably towards Paris Saint-Germain, a club with big ambitions and even deeper pockets.
When the sides met in the Champions League at the Parc des Princes there was an element of pantomime surrounding what should have been simply a meeting of two of Europe’s powerhouse clubs. First, Ronaldo was approached by Florentino Perez to clarify comments he had made to Kicker magazine concerning a potential move away from the Bernabeu at some stage in his career.
The “revelation” was hardly of biblical proportions, even it was a little more forthright than the standard line in The Footballer’s Guide to
Interviews regarding questions about transfers. Ronaldo, asked if he could see himself leaving Madrid before his contract expires in 2018, replied:
“Why not?”
After the match, he was seen whispering into the ear of Laurent Blanc, leading to hysteria among the pro-Madrid sports dailies. What had he said? What does it mean?
It’s almost as if Ronaldo had a documentary to promote.
Since then, just about football fan on the planet has stroked their chin and mused on the meaning of it all. Jorge Mendes, Ronaldo’s ubiquitous “super-agent,” has performed with all the gusto of a player turning out for both sides at his own testimonial, doing just enough to keep the rumour mill turning while also repeatedly stating that his client “will retire at Real Madrid.”
It’s almost as if Ronaldo is angling for yet another juicy contract extension.
Perez is probably of the opinion that no player is bigger than Real Madrid — where he stands on Real presidents is another matter — but there is little doubt that Ronaldo’s boots have become too big for the Bernabeu. Last season he questioned the club’s decision to offload Angel di Maria and Xabi Alonso and he lobbied against the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti.
Ronaldo has hardly been a teacher’s pet to Rafa Benitez, labelling one of his training exercises — the good old crossbar challenge — “shit.” That was in June. a few weeks later there was another training ground disagreement between player and manager.
Things have hardly improved since then. Unfortunately for Ronaldo’s status at the club, neither has his on-field contribution. At some stage, Perez has to weigh up the pros and cons of putting Ronaldo on the market and at 30 years of age, he isn’t going to be worth upwards of €100 million for too much longer.
Perez has proved before that success does not breed immunity. Vicente del Bosque, Fernando Hierro, Raul, Guti … legendary status spared none of them the president’s ruthless streak when he deemed the time was right. And they all won a lot more than Ronaldo has in his six seasons at the club.
A Copa del Rey, a Liga and a Champions League. Does that represent a good return on the investment Real Madrid made? It depends on your viewpoint, and Perez’s is as much on the bottom line as the top shelf of the trophy cabinet. Ronaldo is the most marketable player in the world, but neither will that last forever.
In football, as in every walk of life, there is always someone younger, better-looking and eager to muscle the old guard out of the way. Perez has even bought himself one to try out in Martin Odegaard, although things perhaps aren’t working out quite as either party would have hoped on that front.
Ronaldo has been a magnet for personal awards during his Real career but he has never convinced as a team player. He has a decent assist record but you suspect it might be higher if he had fewer attempts himself. He is swift to lose interest in games when the ball is not at his feet enough for his liking. He can win games on his own still, but that is another finite resource, and one increasingly dusted off against second-tier opposition.
A recent comment after receiving the Golden Boot is an interesting case in point. Responding to the observation that all of his goals this season have come against three teams of limited resources in Shakhtar, Espanyol and Malmo, Ronaldo responded: “If I end the season with the same rhythm of goals per game as now, I would take that. Twelve games and 10 goals is perfect. Do the maths… Cristiano Ronaldo would sign up for that right now. For sure.”
With Barcelona three points clear going into the Clasico this weekend, the suspicion lingers that his teammates and manager would have preferred him to spread them out a bit among Sporting, Malaga, Atletico and Sevilla.
Now that Ronaldo’s film has been released and his media duties met, the Portuguese might consider another seven-month media blackout. If the end of the season brings silverware for the club, or another Golden Boot for Ronaldo, surely the rumours of a move will resurface with even more vigour then.
If Real end the season trophyless, Ronaldo’s marksmanship deserts him further, or Perez simply tires of being led a song and dance by his prized asset, the Real president may well find himself thinking: “Why not?” — ESPN
Online Reporter