The Portuguese star, should he leave the Bernabeu, would certainly not lack suitors. There is only one other player in the world today with Ronaldo’s global status, and he is a nimble Argentine playing for Barcelona.
If he were to leave, Ronaldo would have the pick of most clubs to go to. One is Monaco, linked with a huge offer for the Portuguese. Whilst the riches on offer at the principality would surely be convincing for Ronaldo, it is unclear whether or not his ambition would be sated by a spell in Ligue 1 with a team that has, it must be stressed, only just been promoted back to the top flight of French football.
Paris St Germain, the team Monaco hope one day to usurp, could also easily afford Ronaldo, but would they be able to lure him? In theory this makes much more sense. They are club flush with cash and who can offer Champions League football and probably plenty of trophies in the years ahead. They would surely build a team around him and the club’s growing profile and the ability to help turn them into a world force could just appeal to Ronaldo.
But the fact is that France is not at the heart of world football, just yet at least. Moving from La Liga, as Ronaldo surely would – he would not go to Barcelona – and the Premier League is an obvious place he could go. Manchester City would surely register an interest but he would likely not countenance such a move given his history with Manchester United. He may not want to go to any English team other than United, given his relationship with the club and time spent there earlier in his career. Chelsea would probably want him, and Jose Mourinho may love to be reunited with Ronaldo, but according to reports the winger is not so enthused about linking up with his former coach. And United certainly seem keen on the idea of bringing home a player they helped to mould into the world’s finest. Ronaldo was scintillating during his time at Old Trafford before going to Real Madrid, and would surely be similarly effective now.
So these are the realistic options for Ronaldo should he decide that his future lies away from Spain and Madrid. The former world player of the year has a big decision ahead of him. He could of course stay at Real Madrid, and with Carlo Ancelotti newly installed Real can move forward. Ronaldo has yet to lift the Champions League with Real, and the prospect of the club winning their tenth European crown could be one which entices him to stay rather than go.
The one thing that is sure is that Ronaldo is the one who will be able to dictate his next move. His contract runs out in two years’ time and he knows that if he stays, he strengthens his hand next summer, provided that he has not signed a new deal. With just a year left on his contract he would be an in immensely powerful negotiating position. It is for that reason that Ronaldo may just stick it out for another year in Madrid.
