Cristiano Ronaldo
Discussion
Ascayman said:
I thought he was only on loan from Utd? 
Would have been good to end his career at United, but you can see why he has gone to Juve. Guaranteed to win the Serie A, and decent chance at another champions league title. Plus I presume he wants to prove himself playing in another league.
Challo said:
Would have been good to end his career at United, but you can see why he has gone to Juve. Guaranteed to win the Serie A, and decent chance at another champions league title.
Plus I presume he wants to prove himself playing in another league.
I think longevity of his career will have played a factor. He needs a club that can afford to rest him in the league regularly, as Real have done the last two seasons and he won't get that in England where there are 6 clubs competing for the title. The Italian league's style is also much better suited to older players - people like Di Natalie and Toni have won the golden boot in their late 30s.Plus I presume he wants to prove himself playing in another league.
m3sye said:
Rumours are they have 350m to spend - worrying time for a few clubs I imagine
If that is true, then it might only be 3 players who come in... Neymar, Mbappe would take the lions share of that. Mbappe and Kane is an alternativeAnd Ronaldo is 33!!!! That is a lot of money for a 33 year old no matter how well they look after themselves
Edited by The jiffle king on Tuesday 10th July 17:56
Cupramax said:
Bizarre, surprised a) Real let him go and b) he’s gone to Juve...
Real hit the absolute sweet spot where transfer fees are stupid, Ronaldo is at an age where his value is bound to drop and it's hardly forward thinking to flog a dead horse when someone else wants to pay for it.Juve? Why not, if they'll pay him enough and massage his ego then it suits both parties. I thought like football, he was 'coming home'!
selym said:
Cupramax said:
Bizarre, surprised a) Real let him go and b) he’s gone to Juve...
Real hit the absolute sweet spot where transfer fees are stupid, Ronaldo is at an age where his value is bound to drop and it's hardly forward thinking to flog a dead horse when someone else wants to pay for it.Juve? Why not, if they'll pay him enough and massage his ego then it suits both parties. I thought like football, he was 'coming home'!
Cupramax said:
Bizarre, surprised a) Real let him go and b) he’s gone to Juve...
Multiple reasons on all sides.1. Impasse between Florentino and CR about over money that turned into a pride thing. Perez argued fairly, “you just signed a new contract and at your age you’re guaranteed big money at a time when other players are long retired...come on!”; on Ronaldo’s side, in elite footballer thinking, “I’ve just won you more and more and every top player renegotiates every couple of years regardless, and you did promise to talk about it....” Both sides felt there was a degree of reneging going on. Tax issues were a non-issue here. CR can pay his fine with the spare change in his BBVA account.
2. Lopetegui was an unknown quantity to Ronaldo. Reputation as a hard taskmaster as opposed to the superstar whisperer Zidane. Real Madrid is just the sort of place that doesn’t need micro management. It needs managers who supplement and support upwards not direct down. That’s why Del Bosque was so immediately successful when people like Toshack, Capello and Queiroz flame out quickly - the players see them as ballaches. So Ronaldo was calculating that.
3. Madrid may just be entering a downward slide. The Liga campaign was hampered by a tired squad that didn’t start to play until the new year and let Barca run away with it. Playing in cups, super cups etc extended the 2016 season and therefore players like Modric, Benzema, etc are starting to clock up the mileage. The club needs a playing overhaul in reality, Ronaldo knows that and likely thinks it would be astonishing if they could take a 4th straight champions league, let alone slug it out over a 37 game league season
4. Legacy. Ronaldo has all the trophies. Winning more in a 4th country - he’s got a trophy with Sporting CP - would burnish the CV.
5. Lopetegui wants to make his mark. Unknown quantity at club level, now has keys to the biggest football club in the world. He won’t not meddle and likely try new things. Ronaldo doesn’t do the bench. He’s not going to hang around and see if Perez soon clips his wings. Compare to Juve, where Allegri is staying and there’s stability. He knows that’s a great foundation to work off for a Serie A trophy and another serious tilt at the CL.
6. As fabulous as Madrid’s nice neighbourhoods are, La Finca, La Moreleja etc, Torino region also has fabulous real estate - https://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/to-ita. In any job, trying out a new country on the company is always a lure. As long as it’s not the back of beyond.
7. Agnelli flew out personally to seal the deal as Ronaldo sat on one of his rented yachts - either “Ascari” or “Aya”. Don’t be surprised if free Ferraris or being the face of FIAT is in the small print.
8. Juve know they need to up their game regarding merchandising. This is a statement of intent.
9. With Buffon off the books, and other movements, they’ve got the funds, and if they chunk it out across the years then it’s suddenly looks better financially. Statement of intent.
10. In life, sometimes young just want to try something new. The lifestyle in Piedmont is pretty good too.
Gassing Station | Football | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff