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Crossroads: What is behind Ronaldo's desire to leave Manchester United? | Israel today

2022-07-03T17:40:25.632Z


The desire to continue to break Champions League records • Tan's brother's method of play that is not suitable for him • And the astronomical salary that can free up money for talented and young players • The Portuguese phenomenon announced last weekend the Red Devils he wants to leave and although the club currently refuses, it is not a bad move for him • , Chelsea, Bayern and even Napoli are candidates to take the number 7


So could it be that there really is no romance in football?

Just a year ago Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United, the team he started his career in England in 2003, declaring that love for the team was one of the main reasons for the decision to return to the thrill.

And here, just 10 months later, Ronaldo wants to leave Old Trafford.

The London Times was the first to announce this over the weekend, and all the media in the world have drawn a line.

According to reports, Ronaldo, through his agent Georges Mendes, has informed the club heads that he wants to play in the Champions League this season, and after United finished last season only in sixth place in the Premier League, they will play in the Europa League this season.

And that doesn’t suit Cristiano, who has one season left on his contract.

Keep in mind, Ronaldo is the undisputed king of the Champions League.

Not only did he win the trophy five times (once with United and another four times with Real Madrid), he was also crowned seven times as the factory's top scorer.

Ronaldo is the king of appearances (183), the king of goals (140) and the king of cooks (42) of the Champions League at all times.

And yes, in all of these categories ahead of Leo Messi.

Ronaldo has never played in the Europa League, and has no intentions of doing so at the age of 37 and a half, after 20 consecutive years at the important factory in Europe.

By the way, for the sake of historical accuracy, Ronaldo played in the distant past in the UEFA Cup. It was in his first season as a professional, in the Sporting Lisbon uniform, when he was 17 years old.

Manchester United's immediate response was expected: Ronaldo has a contract for another year and has no intention of selling him.

Beyond that, when brother Eric Tan was appointed the new manager he said most clearly: "Ronaldo is a great footballer, a real winner and I can't wait to work with him."

But talk aside and reality aside.

Brother Tan arrived to rebuild Manchester United, having stayed far behind Manchester City, Liverpool and even Chelsea.

The Dutch coach has already begun the construction process, and it is quite clear that he will try to build a team that will be based on the principles he brings from Ajax, his former team.

It's pretty clear that an actor like Cristiano is not exactly suited to Tan Brother's plans, certainly not in the long run.

When Ralph Rangnick switched last year to Ola Gunnar Solskjaer he tried to impart to United the principles of a high-pressure game - but with Cristiano it was very problematic.

Ragnik said at the time: "It is impossible to play with Ronaldo but also impossible to play without him."

The Portuguese was the player who did the least pressure in all five major leagues last season, and for Tan the brother everyone except the brakes must press.

This is his philosophy.

Ronaldo also had discipline issues, such as when he confronted Harry Maguire about the captain's film.

Ronaldo is frustrated.

Does not want to play in the Europa League, Photo: IPI

Will end in a new movie?

Indeed, it could be that at least for the upcoming season he actually wanted Ronaldo in the team, so that there would be someone to score the goals, even if tactically he does not fit the style.

Let's not forget, Ronaldo finished last season with 24 goals, 18 of them in the league (third place after Muhammad Salah and Jung Min Sun and 8 more than the second highest scorer in the United Kingdom and 6th in the Champions League (in 7 games).

So yes, even though he will be celebrating his 38th birthday in February, and despite having a setback in his speed and physical strengths, there is no doubt at all that in the coming season he will continue to provide impressive numbers in everything to do with goals.

By the way, even at Juventus, his previous team, Ronaldo had a similar problem.

The Portuguese finished the 2020/21 season as the king of Serie A goals, with 29 goals, but Yuva finished in fourth place only.

And there is another significant point, which may battle the departure of Ronaldo: he is the highest paid player in the Premier League.

He earns half a million pounds a week, that is 27 million pounds a year.

If United parted ways with it, it would also free up a significant sum for the salaries of some new and much younger reinforcement players.

And now the question arises, where will this happen - assuming Manchester United do not stand in his way.

It's no secret that agent Mendes met last week with Todd Bohlie, Chelsea's new American owner, but the Blues are also thinking ahead, and Thomas Tuchel is also demanding from his players to put pressure and work hard for 90 minutes.

And it's really not certain that Cristiano will fit his plans, despite the departure of Romulo Lukaku.

And besides, how will Ronaldo live with a situation where he will have to play in the Premier League against Manchester United?

Tan Brother.

The Portuguese does not fit his style, Photo: EPI

Many thought that the most logical move would be to Rome, the same coach Jose Mourinho, another of Mendes' clients, and who also coached Ronaldo at Real Madrid.

But Roma finished in sixth place and will not play in the Champions League.

Not suitable.

Another name mentioned is that of Bayern Munich - in case Robert Lewandowski does eventually move to Barcelona.

But again, it's hard to see a coach like Julian Naglesman adding a 37-and-a-half-year-old player to his squad, even if his name is Cristiano Ronaldo.

Sporting Lisbon fans of course fantasize about the "lost son" returning home, and Sporting will play in the Champions League this season.

But the truth?

It is hard to believe that Ronaldo will return to the Portuguese league.

Even a return to Real Madrid does not make sense, given the incredible change that Karim Benzema underwent after Ronaldo left.

And there is Napoli, who will play in the Champions League and parted ways with Lorenzo Insigne in the summer.

Who knows, maybe in terms of Napoli president, filmmaker Aurelio de Lorentis, Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival at Diego Maradona Stadium will still be a great opening for a new blockbuster film.

Were we wrong?

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Source: israelhayom

All sports articles on 2022-07-03

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