For millions around the globe, the name, Real Madrid is synonymous with one man; Cristiano Ronaldo. Since his world record move to The Galacticos in 2009, Real Madrid have won four Champions League titles, two Spanish La Liga titles and two Copa Del Rey trophies as well as cemented their place as Europe’s premier club.
Ronaldo helped Real Madrid close the gap on the all-conquering Barcelona as he started to emerge from the shadow cast by the genius of Lionel Messi. In 2012, Lionel Messi had four Ballons d’Or, whilst the Portuguese forward had the solitary title he earned during his time at Manchester United.
Six years later, the pair are level on five Ballons d’Or each, as Ronaldo elevated his game and narrowed any gap between himself and the Argentinian. During his time in Spain, Cristiano has also established himself as a global brand, with his Superman celebration and the CR7 brand familiar to millions right around the world.
Ronaldo is now 33 and by no means a spring chicken, although his physical condition means he is likely to play at the top level for another few years. He has the status, trophies, and lifestyle, so why would Cristiano Ronaldo want to leave Real Madrid?
3 Ronaldo may be looking for a new challenge
The key to Cristiano Ronaldo’s continued success is his desire and motivation to keep on adding to his already impressive trophy haul. During the 2010/11 season, Barcelona won a historic treble as Messi secured a third Ballon d’Or in a row.
Many from then on would have accepted inferiority to the Argentinian and not been able to make a name for themselves. However, Ronaldo’s four Champions League titles and two La Liga titles mean that he too has made his mark on the Ronaldo vs Messi rivalry.
The 33-year-old has won everything at club level and therefore might be looking for a new challenge to reignite his fire. Juventus have dominated Serie A and won the last seven league titles but have failed to translate that into European success. In this season’s Champions League, the Portuguese striker scored the winner in the quarter-final Champions League tie against Juventus with a last minute penalty.
2 Ronaldo could help Juventus through their transition phase
Juventus have experienced profound change over the past few years, as the long-serving veterans give way to the bright, young stars of the future. Former Arsenal stopper Wojciech Szczesny has the mighty task of replacing the evergreen Gianluigi Buffon and, at 28, he is heading into the prime years of his career.
A similar change has occurred at the right-back spot with Colombia’s Santiago Arias likely to join the Italian giants by the end of the transfer window and acts as a replacement to the long-serving Stephan Lichtsteiner. At the age of 26, he too is approaching the best years of his career and will be key to the Juventus defence. Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli will also need replacing in the near future as Juve’s legendary backline begins to get taken apart.
The signing of Emre Can signals The Old Lady’s desire to inject some youth into the current side, with Sami Khedira, Blaise Matuidi, and Claudio Marchisio all on the wrong side of thirty. So why would Juve go for Cristiano Ronaldo, if youth is their priority?
1 An uncertain future for Real Madrid
Last season, Real Madrid won their 13th European Cup, putting them six clear of second-placed AC Milan. Their victory over Liverpool in Kiev was also Los Blancos’ third European cup in a row; a feat that was last achieved by Bayern Munich between 1974 to 1976.
On the surface then, it seems all is well at the Santiago Bernabeu, given Real Madrid’s dominance on the European stage in recent years. However, a simple look below the surface reveals some very deep problems.
Nobody could have predicted the manner in which Real Madrid surrendered the Spanish league title, as they finished 17 points behind Barcelona. Despite all the achievements, the mighty Real Madrid look to be a club on the decline; something Ronaldo does not want to be part of.
The departure of the legendary player and manager Zinedine Zidane sent shockwaves right through the Bernabeu and beyond. Zidane felt as though he had taken the team as far as he could and thought they needed a “new discourse”; an outlook that is perfectly understandable given the achievements and the records broken.