Euro 2008 may have come to a premature end for Portugal and its
infamous star but speculation continues to grow surrounding the
future of Manchester United's most famous player.
The speculation had been doing the rounds for months, even years,
but after his teams defeat to Germany in the quarter-finals of Euro
08, Ronaldo has made clear his intentions of leaving Manchester
United for what he has called his 'dream move' to Real
Madrid.
As the public tug-of-war plays out it has been reported bosses at
Madrid are willing to pay a fee over and above anything in transfer
history to lure the twice footballer of the year from Old Trafford
to the Santiago Bernabue.
The estimated 80 million pounds price-tag is set to be the most
expensive in football history - 34m more than the world-record
breaking 46m the club paid for Zinedine Zidane in 2001,
with the La Liga club also said to be preparing a 40m cash package
with Robinho or Wesley Sneijder as a bargaining tool if all else
fails.
If the player needed any more coercing to make the move at a recent
news conference former Real hero Zidane gave his backing to
Ronaldo, making it clear that the nine-time
European Champions will stop at nothing to secure the player,
telling reporters that "In the past every time they have wanted a
player they have managed to bring him to Madrid."
Ferguson refuses
But after a 42-goal season, helping United to win the 2008
Champions League and Premier League double, and with four-years
left on his $120,000-a-week contract United manager Sir Alex
Ferguson is refusing to let the 23-year-old lucrative player go,
simply saying, he is not for sale.
Refusing to buckle under the growing pressure to sell the winger,
Ferguson reported the Spanish champions to footballs world
governing body FIFA over what he saw as an illegal approach for a
player still under contract.
His claim was dismissed with FIFA saying Real had done nothing
wrong.
While Ferguson has allegedly told the winger he will 'rot in the
stands' at Madrid if he makes the move, Ronaldo, who revealed he
made the decision before the sides Champions League final said it
is has always been his ambition to play for the club:
"(It is) a dream, a step forward... For me it's a very good
opportunity. "he told reporters before quoting the advice of
Portugal's ex-coach "as Scolari says, this only happens
once."
Ronaldo may be relaxing on holiday at the moment but this very
public feud is far from over.
When asked about the confrontation sure to arise when he and his
current boss finally discuss the situation Ronaldo told reporters:
"I am not bothered if he gets angry. It is my
decision. It's what I want."
Communication breakdown
And while both-sides head for a complete communication break down,
if Ferguson refuses to let Ronaldo out of his four-year contract or
the one-year he reportedly wants him to play out then he, and
United, may be left with more problems than they bargained
for.
There can be nothing worse than having someone on a team - that
simply put - doesn't want to be there and as faith in the player
diminishes, the fiercely loyal United fans probably won't want him
there either.
But the pendulum swings both ways with many players ruined by the
lure of Mediterranean clubs and overseas transfers.
In 2004, Liverpool's once golden boy, Michael Owen's
dissatisfaction with being at the Anfield club was so telling that
even when he had the ball he couldn't wait to give it away - after
much speculation Owen signed for Real Madrid only to warm the bench
in the hopes of game time before returning to England to play for
Newcastle United.
That season Liverpool went on to lift their fifth European Cup and
to this day Liverpool supporters still laugh at the fate that
befell the boy who turned his back on the club that
made him.
Brand Beckham
Another famous name lured to the La Liga side of course was David
Beckham.
Although a huge draw-card for Real and its supporters, the man who
made his name at Manchester United spent most of his four-years at
the club 'rotting in the stands' losing his sharpness, fitness and
his 'best footballer in the world' tag - eventually ending up in an
American b-side and coming close to losing his place with his
national side because of it.
On one hand Ronaldo may feel that he has gone as far as he can with
the English Club he has played for the last five-years.
No one can blame him for wanting to further his career, realise his
childhood 'dream' of pulling on a Madrid shirt and playing in a
team with the likes of Portugal team-mate Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Fabio
Cannavaro and Gabriel Heinze.
But with a growing sense of self importance, public and
professional admiration there is one thing Ronaldo must remember if
he wants to succeed in his pursuit of becoming a 'World Player of
the Year.'
Ronaldo can't and must not lose sight of the team or the fans who
helped put his name in the spotlight and on the back of kids no.7
shirts all over the world because, no man, is, or ever will be,
bigger than his club and a meeting with his current and possible
future boss to sort out this saga as soon as possible may be the
best solution for all involved.
