Cristiano Ronaldo – Does Anybody Really Care Anymore?

Since what seems the dawn of time, Real Madrid have been heavily linked with Manchester United’s twinkle-toed winker, Cristiano Ronaldo. Unfourtanetly for those of us who aren’t A) Man United fans B) Real Madrid fans or C) Sky Sports News addicts the Portuguese international has done nothing to put an end to the speculation which has dragged on since before the Champions League final.

First we had Madrid, as is tradition with the Spanish giants, publicly acknowledging their main targets in the press. This was met with fury from Alex Ferguson, whose club then hypocritically threatened to report Los Merengues to FIFA for their conduct. After more speculation, which was more due to the players refusal to rule out a move than to the actions of Real Madrid, United eventually made an official complaint about the Spaniards, which the world governing body have refused to take any action over.

Then ‘Big’ Phil Scolari, the Portugal coach got in on the act, reportedly advising his young star to joing Madrid. In a turn of events that can only be described as ‘coincidental’ Scolari was appointed as the new boss of Chelsea, rivals with Man Utd. for next seasons title. Much to the annoyance of all connected with the Red Devils

But the one person who deserves the most stick over this saga is the player at the heart of it all, Ronaldo. In all the interviews he has done, he has never once stated whether he was going to stay or go, or stated his intention to honour his contract. At first it was thought (well I thought it anyway) that the playmaker was using the rumours as leverage to win a new, higher paying contract, but now it looks like he actually has no loyalty to United, or indeed Sir Alex Ferguson, who argubaly made him into the player he is today, transforming him from poncey winger to one of the worlds best. He has thrown the United fans adoration of him, right back in their faces. He says “I don’t want to talk about my future because I’m focused on the match against Germany, I will talk about my future after the tournament.” Yet he has been quoted as saying “I really like playing in a white football kit”. Members of his family have stated that he will join Madrid, and rumours surfaced in the last few days the United agreed a deal with Madrid weeks ago, without telling Ferguson.

So what are his motives for a move to La Liga champions? It can hardly be for a ‘new challenge’, surely retaining the UEFA Champions League would be enough of a challenge for the player? Maybe it’s the lifestyle afforded to players in Spain? For years many of Liga’s top stars have led less-than-professional lifes off the pitch, with nightclubs, alcohol and women (unless of course, you’re the ‘other Ronaldo’) the order of the day. One extremely strong pull factor for Ronaldo is undoubtadly the money; Real are apparently willing to pay Ronaldo €300,000 a week, after tax!

It has gotten to the stage where most people wish Cristiano Ronaldo would make up his mind, one way or the other but the rumours are bound to carry on for weeks. The only ’silver lining’ to the cloud that is the end of the European Championships is that this tedious mess will all get sorted out.

Man United fans: Should the club cash in? Are you annoyed by Ronaldo? Or should the club offer him whatever it takes to keep him at the club?