Zinedine Zidane has been in a bullish mood about the future of Ronaldo this past week by insisting that he expects the Portuguese superstar to finish his career at Real Madrid. A lot of what Zidane has said is yet to be backed up by Ronaldo and it is always wise to not be under the pretence that managers are speaking under oath during any time during a transfer window.
There is a feeling that Ronaldo’s future at Real Madrid and the possibility of him leaving carries more weight now than it did in the past. There has always been a lot of hype and interest in a potential Bernabeu departure and no more so than in Manchester. Ronaldo has enjoyed a fabulous career at Real Madrid with statistics that defy belief.
His 422 goals in 417 appearances have without a doubt made him the most prolific player in the club’s history. He has exactly 100 goals more than Raul in second place and a much more lethal conversion rate, averaging over one goal per game. Given what he has done and his current age, there is no doubt that £80m Real Madrid paid Manchester United in 2009 was a bargain. The question remains whether Ronaldo will get better from here on in or will age hamper his efficiency?
This season Ronaldo has 16 goals in 23 appearances but only 4 in 13 La Liga games. Ronaldo’s chances of collecting the Golden Boot look slim with his odds of 25/1 in football betting indicating his race is all but run. Age is inevitably going to catch up with any player regardless of how talented they are and the signs are beginning to show that CR7 is beginning to feel the effects.
Real Madrid will be desperate to keep hold of him as even if his powers are waning on the field, his commercial value will continue to rise and keep providing Los Blancos with a substantial return on investment. Would that be the best way to go about getting the maximum value for a player that is still much sought after?
Cashing in on his value would make good financial sense as well with a few suitors lining up to take him off Madrid’s hands. There are whisperings that Ronaldo would fancy a move after his relationship with Florentino Perez is becoming increasingly strained. Perez is unhappy with Ronaldo’s attitude and there is a school of thought that feels if the Real Madrid president could find a player with the same commercial appeal and marketing power he would show Ronaldo the exit door.
The Portugal captain still has a great deal to offer on the football pitch and is by no means a spent force. If the world is to still see the best from him then a move away from the Bernabeu would give the megastar one last chance to perform at the highest level in an environment he is happier in. Departing would also bring the curtain down on what appears to be a developing toxic situation between himself and Real Madrid.
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