Cristiano Ronaldo told Real Madrid what they wanted to hear when he reacted to Portugal’s Euro 2008 exit with a clear indication of what he has in mind for his future.
Ronaldo was careful never to mention the words Real or Madrid when he spoke to reporters in Spanish at the end of the match in Basel but his words still did not leave much to the imagination.
“Everyone knows what I want,” Ronaldo said. “But in the next two or three days you’ll have something new. (I made this decision) some time ago, before this competition. I didn’t want to say anything because we were in competition and these are important decisions.”
Asked about the likelihood of a move, he added: “The possibilities are big but it doesn’t depend on me and because of that I don’t want to talk about it.”
His comments came on the same day a senior Real Madrid figure called on Ronaldo to come out in public and give them an opportunity to start negotiations with the Premier League champions.
If Ronaldo really does want to leave, United may have to accept that the canniest move now would be to get the best deal possible from Real.
The 23-year-old winger’s ineffective performance in Portugal’s 3-2 defeat by Germany might just persuade Alex Ferguson that he is by no means irreplaceable and that 100 million euros or so might give him the chance to build an even better team.
Do you think United should let him go and pocket the cash? And if so, who could they sign to fill Ronaldo’s boots? Barcelona are trying to offload Ronaldinho, Deco and Samuel Eto’o and they could comfortably afford all three with that sort of money.
What do you reckon?
PHOTO: Cristiano Ronaldo reacts to Portugal’s 3-2 defeat by Germany at Euro 2008, Basel, June 19, 2008. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
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i recon man untd shouldntlet go of ronaldo for the money they will not find a guy like him2 represent themor to fit into his shoes
- Posted by soccer fanAs a Man U fan for over 60 years I’ve heard it all before. “How are we going to survive without…. Johnny Carey, Charlie Mitten , Albert Quixall, Dennis Violet, Bobby Charlton, Brian Robson, Mark Hughes, Roy Keane, Eric Cantona, all of the boys killed or injured at Munich etc. etc.” But the fact is that we will because the one single factor, above all else, which has kept Man U alive and doing very well is the spirit within the club. What frightens me most is the fairly imminent loss of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, Both of whom, like the one’s listed, felt the essence of Man U deep within their souls. They were not mercenaries, there just for the dosh. We will even survive the retirements of the latter two, who, I hope, will then be found positions within the club they both love.
- Posted by John DandoJohn Dando
Money has become the only motivating factor in football the days of loyalties are long gone,its no surprise that Ronaldo now knows that his dream is to play for Real Madrid i guess he must have been asleep for 5 years while we carefully made him one of the best players in the world(not the best)so he can be replaced. Ronaldo should be allowed to go,not because we wont miss him but because we are united and it might take us some time to find a replacement but we will and this time we must tell the players as long as you are under contract to man utd keep your dreams to yourself cause those dreams are nightmares to fans.
- Posted by JerryI agree with most posts about letting him go - but stick a price of 100 million on him and tell Real to put up or shut up
- Posted by RedronI agree with Ben Sharp and Colin above, cash in but don’t let Madrid structure the usual buy now at one big headline price and 3 years down the line, end up paying less, which is what happened with the Beckham deal.
- Posted by BOBFront up the cash, secure Tevez and go out and buy Huntelaar and Sweinsteiger. Job done!
Well I dont think Ronaldo is that big a player. I mean without the likes of Giggs, Scholes and other players there to support him he would not have been what he is now. Word is out that Real Madrid is offering to trade Robinho along with some cash for Ronaldo. If I were Man Utd, I would definitely take the option of getting whatever I can get out of this deal.
Alex Ferguson has always had an eye for talent and I am pretty sure he can find someone to replace Ronaldo.
- Posted by FarhanYou’d think that after everything United and Fergie in
particular have done for him, he’d have the courtesy to
avoid playing these mind games and be a little upfront
about things - and to think of all us United fans who’ve been chanting his name at grounds across England and Europe. Sigh.
Scolari is “advising” Ronaldo about the future - and look
at what he’s done. Gone and joined Chelsea! Take a bow,
Mr Scolari.
Real Madrid are a great team, no doubt about that. However, their methods are underhanded and pathetic.
As much as it pains me to say it, I wouldn’t be sorry
- Posted by Samto see the back of Ronaldo. All along I’ve always felt
we’d get more loyalty out of someone like Wazza. I guess
form is temporary, class is permanent eh ?
Definitely - negotiate the highest price possible, including payment up-front, then get him on his way immediately. Buy 2 or 3 players in his place with the cash. No one will miss him within 6 months.
- Posted by ColinI think if he wants to go, United should put a price of £70 million, and demand money up front. Then we’ll see if they are serious to buy the best player in the world. With £70 million in the bank, United can purchase several top quality strikers….
- Posted by Ben Sharpwell every one know ronaldo is the best player and he also knows how important he is for his team /man. united/ but if he wants to leave the team then i think we cant force him to stay.as our coach is the best coach in the world who could build such a strong team in very short time and i garantee you that next season you will see such a talented player in man.united even beter than ronaldo
- Posted by fikeru from ethiopiaFreguson is the one of the most successful managers in the league, Rich, im not being disrespectful, but lesser clubs obviously sell their best players as they don’t care much about the fans views on what the fans want, it’s a cut throat business , make money , club just ticks over.But big clubs want the best, united didn’t get where they’re now without the work of fergie and co.Ronnie is just a big time charlie, Id run rings round him !!!!He was good at sporting , utd bought him ,he got better due to the way utd operate.Bottom line is we are all sick of the rubbish with the saga,who cares if he stays or goes, simple.Oh there’s plenty of better players than ronnie boy, ronnie IS NOT THE BEST, I WISH PEOPLE WOULD WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE.
- Posted by franko73Let him go,hi may lernim where the Turkiye is.
- Posted by Izzet sariIf he wants to go he s as good as gone, everyone knows contracts are garbage, im loving seeing ferguson squirm and get a taste of wot he s been doing to lesser clubs for years ha ha. There probably is nt a player available at the moment to replace him.
- Posted by RichWe need to stop wasting time with the Ronaldo show and start thinking about which players we need for next season. Arshavin, Villa, Eto’o and Van der vart are just some of the players that spring to mind.The disgrace is not that Ronaldo wants to leave, but the way in which he has handled it. The character traits which have come to light through this have shown the man which will inevitably show through the player.
- Posted by FreddyI believe that Ronaldo should follow his dreams, but Manchester created him to be the best player in the world. If he leaves that means he dosen’t respect us and the united crowd would make him suffer and weep.
- Posted by nigarinaIts good aswell for united coz they might get £70,000,000 and Robinho, he might be a bit lower on the charts but he still got the style and the skill.
If ronnie boy thinks he’s bigger than Manutd then he’s dreaming, and come to think of it neither are Real .He’s only going for the money , like some english players , who just didn’t seem to care at all if england got to the euros. Attitudes like “im getting 50k + a week , blah blah, all they’re worried about is their wages and ugly wags.Big time charlies, thinking they’re great players, Whatever.So ronnie , my message is shut your mouth and run to Real, don’t come back, TWINKLE TOE SISSY, you ain’t the best.
- Posted by franko73I wish ronaldo would just grow up , i am sick of all the rubbish should he stay or go. Let’s get one thing clear , he isn’t the best player in the world, not by a long way.He should just get back to United,and play his football there, Real Madrid aren’t the best team or the biggest .What is the big fuss of wanting to play over there? It’s a circus at Real , they change players every season , then they wonder why they don’t do well in europe.Anyway Ronaldo can’t be the best in the world, a few titles and a C.league don’t make you the best.He’s acting like a spoilt brat, just shut up and don’t bite the hand that feeds you, simple.Best player in the world ,WHATEVER.WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE.
- Posted by franko73Manchester United should not let him go to R. Madrid. Ronaldo has another 4 years contract with MU. He should learn how to respect the contract he signed. Salute to Beckham, because he is still loves the club.
- Posted by Ahmad NS