How do you get people to keep talking about you after scoring 42 goals in a season and leading your club to domestic and European titles? By asking your club to sell your contract, of course.Cristiano Ronaldo told anyone who would listen today that he wants to leave Manchester United and move to Real Madrid. The Portuguese winger has wanted to play for Madrid since he was a boy, and now that he's won all the trophies he wants to win at Man United, he's ready to live out his ream.
This was a positively Machiavellian move by Ronaldo, a man who seems to relish being the center of attention. By stating his desire to move to Madrid now, this guarantees he'll be the hot topic of conversation throughout the summer. Had he said he would finish out his contract at Old Trafford, this entire story would be dead. Now, everyone will spend weeks asking just how much Madrid will pay for him -- and initial reports suggest a €100m transfer fee and £300,000-a-week salary.
Of course, this story will also distract us in the unlikely event that Ronaldo lays an egg at EURO 2008.
As for Man United, they probably realize there's no way they can keep Ronaldo now. I suspect they have their price, and it will likely make up their £58 million shortfall and still allow them to add a couple of players -- including a much-needed full forward -- to their growing roster. They might not be quite as exciting next season, but they still have Wayne Rooney, Owen Hargreaves, Anderson and Nani, not to mention two more trophies in their case.
Plus, they'll get paid a lot to rid themselves of a man whose only priority appears to be himself. Unfortunately, that man might also be the best footballer on the planet. That's why we keep talking about him, after all.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-05-2008 @ 6:39PM
-=-B said...
I know I'm going to be in the minority on this, but ultimately this will help Manchester. A quick influx of cash, and the flexibility to get some good,not great, young talent will keep MANU healthy for years to come. A lot of people questioned the desire and ability of the forwards, it was hard for them to operate when Ronaldo dominated so much of the possession.
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6-05-2008 @ 7:38PM
Tigre said...
I don't think it really matters what Ronaldo wants Man U has already stated that they have no intentions of letting him out his contract so he mine as well get ready to suit up in a Man U uniform next season.
I hate Real Madrid so if he does manage to get his way I would have to hate him.
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6-05-2008 @ 7:45PM
Dave said...
Tigre: You're forgetting one thing -- the Webster Rule.
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/02/01/are-player-transfer-fees-about-to-plummet/
According to that rule, Ronaldo can buy out his contract in 2010 for £12 million. So they can get £70M to £90M and ship him to Madrid now, or they can keep him for two more seasons and deal with an egomaniac who would rather be somewhere else, then get only £12M for him when he's done.
The Webster Rule changes the economics of this situation. It's actually better for Man United to sell him off now while they can still as much as they can for him. He's never going to get 42 goals again -- especially not at Madrid.
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6-06-2008 @ 6:19AM
Byron said...
Christiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest players of all times. If he wants to move to Real Manchest United should release him to make soccer a truely vibrant sport. Manchest United surely will produce a new world star in the new season as they always do.
The next one to watch is Lionel Messi. This lad has got latent
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6-12-2008 @ 3:22PM
emmanuel osae said...
it is no problem when christiano ronaldo move to real madrid and he is going y be a great superstar when he plays for real madrid.this is because real madrid is the most famous team in europe and richest.i think Alex should release the football hero rom his team so that he can join real madrid so that he will be happy and also become the world richest team in ghana.
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