Cristiano Ronaldo faces an uncertain future after the Manchester United striker’s unsuccessful attempt to force him out of Old Trafford led to expectations of his signature.
The Portuguese superstar shocked United earlier this month with his withdrawal request after the team failed to qualify for the Champions League.
Ronaldo has foreseen a host of top clubs jostling to sign him.
But for the first time in his glittering career, he is no longer a must-have for Europe’s wealthy elite as Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain appear to have turned their backs on him. striker.
Worries about Ronaldo’s dwindling employment rates and his demanding celebrity personality have left the 37-year-old in limbo.
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is said to have spoken to Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes about a deal that would mark a new era at Stamford Bridge.
But Blues manager Thomas Tuchel is said to have concerns about trying to integrate Ronaldo into his plans for a flexible three-man scheme after signing Raheem Sterling from Manchester City.
“We’re focused on our top target Raheem Sterling, who we’ve signed and everything else remains behind closed doors,” Tuchel said when asked about Ronaldo.
Selling Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona could create space for Ronaldo at Bayern, but the German champions’ CEO Oliver Kahn has poured cold water on the idea.
“I appreciate Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the greatest players, a transfer would not fit our philosophy,” he said.
“I love Cristiano Ronaldo and everyone knows how great he is. But every club has a certain philosophy and I’m not sure if that would be the right thing for Bayern and the Bundesliga if we were to sign him now.”
United manager Erik ten Hag has repeatedly stated the club’s public view that Ronaldo is “not for sale”.
However, although Ronaldo finished with United’s top scorer title last season, there is growing opinion in Manchester that his departure could benefit Ten Hag with a building opportunity. a team better suited to the style he created at Ajax.
United flourished without Ronaldo on their pre-season tour of Asia and Australia, scoring 11 goals in victories over Liverpool, Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace.
– Descending option –
The dynamic trio of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho have shown the team’s ability.
All three of these players struggled last season after the arrival of Ronaldo changed the style of a United team that finished second in the Premier League last season.
Ronaldo’s time at Juventus also coincided with the Italian giant’s decline in European performance, despite his scoring record of 101 goals in 134 games.
After seeing the two European giants struggle to claim the senior Golden Ball title five times, there are few who appreciate the veteran goalscorer.
Ronaldo’s iconic status at United, established during his title-laden first spell with the club, has also lost some of its luster.
Andy Mitten, journalist and editor of United We Stand fanzine, said: “His arrival came to United at the last minute and the third and second placed teams had to rip their tactics apart and start over.
“They don’t see Ronaldo as the future of United and there are a lot of fans who will be with that.”
United’s rivals Manchester City, which have won the race for Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool’s Erling Haaland, have spent a fee that could reach 100 million euros ($102 million) on Benfica’s Darwin Nunez, both both chose to sign the younger striker when he was just entering his prime.
A return to Real Madrid, where Ronaldo starred from 2009 to 2018, seemed unlikely given Karim Benzema’s dazzling display in last season’s Champions League and La Liga winning campaigns.
Even PSG, a familiar collector of football’s big names, can’t seem to run.
A move to Real’s rivals Atletico Madrid remains a possibility, but with his options dwindling, Ronaldo may have to swallow his pride and stay at Old Trafford.
If that’s too much for his ego, a last payday in the United States or Saudi Arabia could be clear evidence of Ronaldo’s downfall.
