The Ronaldo Dilemma

When arguably the best player in the world proclaims his unhappiness to the press, it is bound to raise a storm. That is exactly what happened when Cristiano Ronaldo voiced his unhappiness at Real Madrid, thus casting doubt over his future at the club he always dreamed of playing for. Apart from missing out on this year’s Ballon D’Or, it’s hard to imagine what a player in Ronaldo’s position would have to feel ‘sad’ about. He’s won everything there is to win in the game at club level. From breaking scoring records in La Liga, to lifting the Champions League trophy with Manchester United, he’s done it all. Yet, in a situation where any one of us would be delirious with joy, he is ‘sad’.

151 goals in 149 games for Real Madrid is not enough to satisfy Ronaldo

The popular theory doing the rounds, is that his mind is on his money. Within a couple of years, Ronaldo will be taxable under the Beckham Law which sees the income tax on his salary jump drastically, thus leaving him with less money than he thinks he should be earning. Now, history more or less shows us that what Ronaldo wants, Ronaldo gets. His sulking attitude may be the warning sign Real Madrid need to get their act together and make him a new offer. After all, he has said that he is living his dream in Madrid, so why would he want to give that up? Some ideas come to mind such as, the fact that he is relentlessly compared to his La Liga colleague Lionel Messi. Even Wayne Rooney recently voiced his opinion that Messi was the best player ever. Could it be that he feels the Spanish League isn’t posing him too much competition, as he repeatedly annihilates his opponents on a weekly basis? Maybe, he feels that the Madrid fans don’t show him enough support when he is going through a rough patch. Whatever his reason, Ronaldo is ‘sad’.

A possible reunion?

This sadness, has alerted a score of other clubs across Europe. After trying and failing with a bid for him last year, Manchester City may feel this is the best chance they have to secure what would be their crown jewel, while also delivering a knockout blow to the Manchester United faithful, and Sir Alex Ferguson. Other reports suggest that Fergie himself will pull out all the stops to once again secure the services of the once United favourite. Even more reports have suggested that if Ronaldo were to ever move from Real Madrid, he would move back to United. But can they afford him? If money is the chief reason for Ronaldo’s unhappiness in spite of the ridiculous salary he currently earns, it is highly unlikely that the Glazers would be willing to fund such an extravagant transfer. While debt still hangs over their heads and with a huge existing wage bill (Rooney and Van Persie don’t work for peanuts), a number of things would have to change for that transfer to take place. On the other hand, Manchester City have the ability to throw whatever cash he wants at him, and will secure a world-beater to add to their already bulging squad of talent.

While I’m sure Milan clubs in Italy as well as Bayern Munich would love to compete for him, they seem unlikely destinations if Cristiano did leave Madrid. The English Premier League would seem like the appropriate platform for a player of his class to once again showcase his abilities. Personally, if he chose to move, it would be great to see him pull on a United jersey again and perform in front of the Old Trafford faithful that still sing his name today. But I might be getting carried away. For now it’s the white of Madrid and it may always be that way. But yes, only if he’s happy.