Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid: Sour Grapes or Bad Apples?
Cristiano Ronaldo has brought months of speculation to a head by confirming that he wishes to complete a ‘dream’ move to Real Madrid. Oli Dinsmore asks whether Ronaldo or Madrid is the problem as the Portuguese heads to Spain.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid appears inevitable
Cristiano Ronaldo has brought months of speculation to a head by confirming that he wishes to complete a ‘dream’ move to Real Madrid. Whatever happens in the next few days and weeks, the realists will assert that the gifted Portuguese has indeed played his last game for Manchester United – for now at least.
However much United try to hold on to their star player, Sir Alex Ferguson will ultimately succumb to the fact that it’s virtually impossible to hold players to their contracts anymore. There is of course the chance that the Red Devils’ boss will once again charm Ronnie into staying for one more season, but even that seems unlikely at this moment.
This may just be ‘sour grapes’ but I think that Cristiano is on a dangerous path. The implied irreverence in his comments about making ‘a step forward’ by moving to Spain really sums up the descent of his integrity in recent times. Outside influences have skewed his young mind.
Two years ago, when Portugal were eliminated from the World Cup, Ronaldo’s tears were real. He lived for football and everything else came a distant second. But by the time his side played Germany at Euro 2008, he seemed more interested in checking himself out on the big screen in the stadium than winning a football match. And after the game he almost immediately revisited speculation about his own club future. I still haven’t read any quotes from him referring to his disappointment about crashing out of the tournament. Two good seasons and several love letters from Madrid have apparently turned Ronnie into an egomaniac.
And this complacency could yet prove his undoing. Does he really believe he is moving to a better club than the incumbent European champions?
When the dust settles and Ronnie moves to Spain, let’s see how he feels about playing in the second biggest league in the world, where all the players talk obsessively about the Premiership. Let’s see how he copes in a club that is almost as notorious for animosity and arguments as the Dutch national team – the pioneers of petty squad squabbles.
Ronaldo doesn’t know what he’s got because he doesn’t have anything to compare it to, bar a couple of formative seasons in Portugal. He doesn’t realise how much he needs the stability that United offers. Perhaps these subtle luxuries will become apparent to Ronaldo when he has to deal with a new manager each season and an impatient crowd whose team still have too many other weaknesses to win the Champions League.
I never thought I would say it, but I think it’s time for Ronaldo to leave Manchester. However much he has done for the club, it’s small change compared to the impact of the manager over two decades. In overlooking the debt he owes to Sir Alex, Ronaldo has gone too far.
Improbable as it seems, United can actually improve without Ronaldo, for at least three reasons.
Firstly, United can and will buy two world-class players to replace him. There may be a dearth of top and available quality at the moment, but the manager’s recent transfer record suggests that the money is in safe hands. Any two of Benzema, Berbatov and Ben Arfa could be prized from their clubs with the sort of cash United would be able flash. Stunning talent. And focused rather than preoccupied talent.
Secondly, if United lose Ronaldo, they will be even more desperate to prove there is no better club in the world. There was a definite feeling that United lost their way after the unprecedented treble success of ’99. They never really got near to winning the Champions League again until last season, by which time the squad had been almost entirely renovated. Ronaldo’s departure could well prevent another such hangover.
And finally, Ronnie’s absence will allow others greater opportunity to shine. Nani has improved with every game and was arguably the best player on the pitch during his limited minutes for Portugal at Euro 2008. He’s a player that could be as good as Ronaldo and will now play a full compliment of games next time out. The extra birth in the attacking midfield area will also mean more exposure for Anderson who perhaps has even greater potential to make the departed Portuguese a distant memory. Many in football circles would also venture that Wayne Rooney has a better chance of kick-starting his upward spiral without United’s current No.7. He does, at times, appear to have a slight inferiority complex regarding Ronaldo.
Sadly, Cristiano Ronaldo has become a man who believes the hype. He tries to disguise his ever-growing opinion of himself by talking about the importance of the team, but in my opinion this is fake humility. He now seems to believe he only has to walk onto the pitch to be the star man. And this is borne from his lack of appreciation of what United and Ferguson have given him - namely the protection and consistency to prosper.
Although the circumstances are different, this situation reminds me of the departure of David Beckham in 2003. By moving to Madrid, Beckham cemented himself as a global sports icon but his football never reached the heights again. And it’s no secret that, more than anything, Becks would have loved to pull on the United jersey again at least once . That’s where he played his best football, where he felt happiest and where he was most adored. I wonder whether, in a couple of years, Ronaldo might also look at his time at United as his halcyon days and yearn for the chance to return. But like Becks, Ronaldo’s perceived irreverence might have closed that particular door forever.
Of course, if Ronaldo can sacrifice his tan for nine more months, he could go some way to appeasing his current employers and followers by giving United and Sir Alex one more season – a parting magic show by way of gratitude. At 24 he could then fill his boots in Spain and still be welcomed back with largely open arms should he ever decide that United is his true football home. This is, of course, the most prudent path but youth and impatience will probably prevail. Kids these days eh?
Whether you believe that United’s response smacks of sour grapes or that Ronaldo is truly a bad apple, you can’t escape the fact that the whole saga has left a really bad taste in the mouth.
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this article is way 2 bias
This is by far and away the best piece I have read on the subject.
You’re bias is clear.
You shouldn’t bring Beckham into this. For one thing Beckham played his best football in Madrid with Zidane. Sure he waited 3 yrs to win la liga as Man Utd waited 3 yrs for their next premiership - but his best actual performances came in his first season at Madrid he played out of his skin. When hes asked about the games and moments of his career that he enjoyed the most of course winning things with United is up there but he always talks about playing with Zidane in a tone that shows that it meant an unbelievable amount to him to play with him and to a lesser degree - Figo, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos. Beckham will always be a true Man Utd fan he said he would never play for another EPL team and he hasn’t. However he was sold and then even though he was shown the door as is Fergies right, no one ever admitted it - it didn’t go on to the public record as a club decision and not a player request until an AGM months later where Gill said on the record that SAF had asked for Beckham to be sold - and the for sale sign went up. Still Beckham had to live with “liar 23″ taunts and inaccurate accusations from Sir Bobby himself, a hero to Beckham and hard for him to take, because the club never owned up to wanting Beckham out. Then when this Ronaldo thing blows up Fergie is all of a sudden in the press saying he won’t sell ronaldo but he wanted to sell Beckham. The man is an a***hole, a successful a***hole no doubt, I think being a mercenary, morally bankrupt, ego-maniac is a necessity to being a good football manager but it’s hardly grounds for hero worship. Unless living vicariously through someone elses achievements means so much to you that you will overlook their character. Yes Ronaldo is an egotistical show-pony but he is the egotistical show-pont that Fergie deserves. Fergie has hardly played fair or done the decent thing when it’s come to other United players who he wanted rid of - so reap what you sow. It’s about time someone showed the club the loyalty the club shows. Regardless of the fallings out - people like RVN and Beckham had put in enough service to at least deserve to be dealt with honourably at the end. Sell them fine, but the way it was done and the BS that was allowed to circulate in Beckhams case - yeah I am laughing my head off to see the manager getting schooled in what it feels like by a 23 nonce. Good on ya son.
Ronaldo should be made to read this article!
#aaron, to say Beckham played his best football at Madrid is a joke, considering he only won a single title in the 4 years he was there, and even that title was won pretty much without him playing much. Yes Beckham did say it was a like a dream playing beside Zidane, but that is a totally different thing to playing your best football. Beckham was supported in Madrid, but never loved the way he was in United, and that is something I believe even Beckham will acknowledge and agree. Beckham was offloaded because his mind was not there, Stam was sold because he slated the club and RvN, if he wasnt sold, you would not have the Ronaldo today, decision justified? I think very much so. All United fans will agree
even by reading this article his eyes surely will not open! hats off to whoever rote this article! well researched and purely fact! just hope one more man who needs to realize this…does! the man himself..Cristiano Ronaldo!
this is the closet to what i feel about ronaldo. top marks to the writer . he has got it done to a tee.
marquiz you are judging the football purely on trophies. Beckham did give his best on pitch performances during the 03-04 season the team didn’t win anything but he was Madrid’s best player, the spanish dailies concurred and that was the apex of his powers as a player. If you are too thick or know too little about football to be able to understand that a player can play the best football of their career during a season where their team doesn’t win anything, then I can’t help you with that.
Also where did I say Beckham didn’t have fans at United - he may have had a stronger fanbase while he was at United than when at Real but A LOT of Man Utd fans turned on him when he left because the truth about him being sold wasn’t revealed and a lot of people thought he had chosen to go - like Ronnie will - when that wasn’t the case.
At the end of the day the point I was making is Fergie and United deserve no loyalty as they are fast enough to show none when it suits them. FACT. So let Ronaldo suit himself whats the point in sticking around and being loyal? He has exactly the kind of personality that will fall out with SAF and then he’ll get shafted - why should he wait for that?
Fergie and Uniteds hypocrisy knows no bounds.
dont u think if ronaldo goes to spain, nani will follow him too?
poor biased article.moving from manu to madrid is always a step forward.
SAF is right about agents acting on behalf of players (especially the likes of Ronaldo & Co).
I sincerely hope that Clubs like Man Utd stays in control in situation like this.
They should only sell when they need to sell. But if the players and their agents insist on leaving, then the conditions are to be set by the club; only the club alone. I hope it is as easy as that. The players involve, are to be reminded that they are still under contract. For the case of Ronaldo, the club should get to value the asset base on the remuneration estimated to receive over the remaining tenure of his contract and the purchase price from Clubs who are so desperate to get hold of him, has to agree to this valuation. For this matter, the agent shall not receive a cent from Man Utd. He should get his reward from any interested parties who wanted this move so badly. In short, in genaral, Man Utd should sell him at their valuation price(nett and non negotiable) but his salary shall remain the same (non negotiable too). This would keep the salary scale at bay without having to burst the bubble. I honestly think it can be as easy as that. Thanks. Utd 4ever, member since 1969.
moving from Man Utd to Real Madrid WAS a step forward. Real Madrid is history now. The pitiful fans can only indulge in living in its glorious past. Wake up please.
An excellent article. Although Real are a great club historically they have been shabbily run for quite some time. To name one club player especially a so called Galáctico that has actually improved or will be inextricably linked with the club? I can only muster Roberto Carlos. I remember the sadness of Bobby Robson lamenting the departure of the first Ronaldo from Barca. He bemoaned that he had Catalan in the palm of his hand. He as with Figo, Zidane and Beckham have shone at times in white but were never really the players that once excited at their previous clubs. I’d like Ronaldo to take a long hard look at the statue of Best, Charlton and Law outside Old Trafford and aspire to that. There can be no better tribute.
what do u mean dont bring Beckham in it….Beckham now suck when he played for man united he was the best…if c.ronaldo goes to real madrid he is going to end up like Beckham