Cristiano
Ronaldo is on his way out of Real Madrid, or at least there are signals that
indicate that these times around the “smoke signals” are correct. Latest news
doing the Sports & Football media rounds is that Premier League giant
Manchester United may be the next Club destination for Ronaldo next season. The
return of the “prodigal son” is a possibility as commented in the past by Cristiano
Ronaldo himself: a “retirement objective”. There is definitely strong evidence
that a move at the end of the season is a strong & very real possibility.
The main
reason, at least publicly, is that Cristiano Ronaldo feels that Real Madrid has
not “lived up” to there promise to lift his economic rewards (salary) to the
level of Lionel Messi or Neymar. The Portuguese star believes firmly that he
has won all the big titles, helping directly Real Madrid be Nº1, while
individually winning the important “FIFA The Best” & “Golden Ball” back to
back. This makes Ronaldo technically the “Best Football Player in World
Football” now earning around 24-25M€ per year, while Neymar earns +35M€ &
Messi around +50M€ (these salary figures are never accurate totally). Cristiano
Ronaldo has solicited formally & is waiting from Real Madrid a contract
renewal that will put his salary close to Messi, &/or at least on par with
Neymar. However, the Spanish Club has not responded positively (as yet). This
in itself may be a clear signal from Real Madrid to the player that things are
about to change.
It is no
secret that Cristiano Ronaldo has declined in his performance & efficiency.
Its natural, no one, no even super muscled Ronaldo, can halt the physical effects
of time. Next February the Portuguese star will be 33 years of age, his speed
has notably declined this season, his goal scoring efficiency has plummeted (currently
only 4 goals in Liga) & is no longer the “decisive player” of the past. With
this horizon Real Madrid may be reluctant to “invest” any further, while
Ronaldo feels the Club has a “moral obligation” to do so.
However,
Football has never been about ethics or morality; it’s about goals, victories
& titles. This season Real Madrid is currently 19 points behind leaders
& rivals FC Barcelona, & is currently sitting 4th on La Liga
table (Champions participation next season under threat), which virtually signs
that the Spanish Championship title is a no option. Added to this their unlucky,
bad on-field performances & losses in lesser teams has alarmed fans, their
participation in the UEFA Champions League is also under threat with Paris St. Germain
coming up next month. The way things look right now, PSG is hot favourite to
knock them out of their fetish competition. Real Madrid Directives are looking
to the future & it seems Cristiano Ronaldo is not part of it.
In 2009
Real Madrid President Florentino Perez paid a then World Record 94M€ transfer
fee to Manchester United for Ronaldo as an intricate & fundament piece of a
long term “Global Strategic Plan” which included titles, increased Marketing
income & Media brand domination; in part to win Asian & US markets
& increase TV & sponsorship deals. Real Madrid has built its squad since then around
Cristiano Ronaldo & it has paid back huge dividends with multiple titles (Champions
League the most important), record Marketing, TV & Sponsorship income &
media saturation Worldwide to brand Real Madrid. Now it´s time to find the “substitute”,
to continue with “the Strategy”, & all indications point towards Brazilian,
ex FC Barcelona & current Paris St. Germain player Neymar.
Everything
indicates that Real Madrid & Neymar have already advanced to the stage that
the Brazilian will land back in Spanish Football with them soon: the already
famous PSG contract release clause. The original idea is incorporation in
season 2019-2020, but unofficial sources indicate possibly as early as next
season. Real Madrid
seems willing to again break the transfer market for Neymar (+230M€ plus
transfer +40M€ salary) because Real Madrid sees the Brazilian as strategic, the
natural successor of Ronaldo on the field, in all Marketing & World
branding. Plus the players “renewal process” will continue as Directives know too
well that the Club needs GOAL, & will most likely sell Benzema to replace
with a World-class goalscorer (Kane & Icardi are sounding). If things
continue their negative results path, Zidane will most likely resign & many
players (Benzema primarily…) will be without “defenders & shied”. To think
that the next Coach of Real Madrid could be Mauricio Pochettino, currently at
Tottenham Hotspurs, is realistic, & with him Forward Harry Kane.
For Real Madrid to acquire
Neymar, add a World class goal scorer, plus a defender has a huge Investment,
money that cannot be diverted in raising the salary levels of Cristiano Ronaldo
entering his “twilight years”. In fact to renew the contract of Ronaldo will
only delay the arrival of stars like Neymar who does not wish to be his shadow.
The current
lack of a positive gesture from the Real Madrid Directives towards Cristiano
Ronaldo demands is originating frustration within the player, who is already
sending signals of his displeasure. There are unofficial media leaks that
Ronaldo has already asked the Club & decided to leave next season. The news
of a possible Manchester United return is part of it. There is another rumour
that Ronaldo will be part of the Neymar transfer buying deal to make things
smoother for PSG.
All the
Cristiano Ronaldo (or his representatives) public outburst are playing into the
hands of Real Madrid which will public announce that it was the player who
wanted to leave & that the Club has an existing contract with him. This message
will smooth public-fan opinion, although many already see “the glory days” of
Ronaldo being over & would welcome the arrival of Neymar, others like Kane/Icardi…next
season.
So to
answer the question, will Cristiano Ronaldo be leaving Real Madrid next season?
This time around there is plenty of evidence & signals that indicate YES. Which
will be the new Club? Right now, rumours point to Manchester United & Paris
St Germain is also in the formula.
Said this &
concluded with today, Football changes rapidly. If Real Madrid knocks out PSG
from Champions & continues advancing to win the title again, or if no other
Club is willing to pay the huge salary expectations of Ronaldo, the Portuguese
may well find himself playing at Real Madrid next season AGAIN & perhaps this
time with Neymar: Kane/Icardi… & new Coach Pochettino.
Stay tuned.
