08/27/2021 13:01
Clarín.com
sports
Updated 08/27/2021 1:03 PM
The transfer market that was presented with a notorious quiet, with clubs doing their math and weakened by the blows generated by the pandemic, ended up being the most moved market of all.
For samples, it is enough and left with two movements: those of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the stars who dominate world football.
After a chain of rumors that linked him to Paris Saint Germain and Manchester City, the Portuguese star packed his suitcases to the English city but to live a second stage at Manchester United.
The 36-year-old striker played 292 matches in his first cycle, scored 118 goals, won ten titles, including his first Champions League and the Club World Cup in 2007-08 (also his first Ballon d'Or), as well as three Premier Leagues with the Red Devils for six seasons, between 2003 and 2009 and under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Yes, it's crazy and it's happening.
𝗕𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗱𝗼 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗮, 𝗿𝗲𝘆 ❤️ # MUFC @Cristiano
- Manchester United (@ManUtd_Es) August 27, 2021
The prodigal son will generate a revolution in Manchester.
Mike Phelan knows every corner of Old Trafford to perfection.
He wore the United jersey between 1989 and 1994, and later became the second team coach and assistant to Ferguson, the same job Solskjaer later did.
He saw great players pass through the club, including Cristiano Ronaldo, whom he helped to become a star.
The Portuguese arrived in Manchester from Sporting Lisbon in mid-2003, when he was just 18 years old.
“He quickly stood out.
He was like a sponge, all the time he wanted more, he challenged you, ”Ferguson's assistant said in a conversation posted on the YouTube channel The Coaching Manual.
However, not everything was easy, since some individualistic habits had to be removed.
“We had to try to make Cristiano a team player and he succeeded.
We had to force him to do certain things that he didn't like to do in training, ”revealed Phelan.
Farewell to Italy
After a frustrating season with Juventus in which not only did he not manage to reach the final stages of the Champions League, but he also could not savor the consolation prize of the Scudetto (it was left in the hands of Inter) Cristiano Ronaldo began to give indications that his days in Italy had an expiration date.
And after having asked to wait on the substitute bench at the restart of the season, this Friday the suspicion was confirmed: he greeted all his teammates and said goodbye to Vecchia Signora after three years and five national titles.
"He told me that he has no intention of staying here," Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri said as spokesman for the news.
“We have to thank Ronaldo for what he has done, also as an example among young people.
But like I said, we must continue, "he said.
Another coach who spoke on the subject was Josep Guardiola and with a hint of impotence, he was sincere: "It will be Cristiano Ronaldo who decides where he wants to play. Not Manchester City and not me," he said when he was asked if the club would be willing to pay the 28 million euros that Juventus wanted to release him.
Across the street, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opened the club's doors to CR7.
"We have always had good contact (with Cristiano Ronaldo). I know that Bruno (Fernandes) also spoke with him. If he has to leave Juventus, he knows that we are here ... I did not think Cristiano would leave. There has been speculation in the last few days, of course, "said Solskjaer.
And he continued: "Cristiano was a legend in this club. He is the best player of all time, if you ask me for my opinion," said the DT who played four seasons between 2003 and 2007 in the powerful English team together with the Portuguese.
