Sports Betting Articles
Who Really Needs Ronaldo?
By James Griffiths
With the loss of David Beckham to the US last year, Real Madrid have been scrambling. One of their most marketable football players had left them to move half-way around the world and they've been trying to figure out who can best fill his cleats. They seem to have ultimately set their sights on Cristiano Ronaldo. There is one problem with that plan. He is contracted with Manchester United until 2012, and from all appearances, they don't want to let him go.
Manchester United has repeatedly reminded the press that Ronaldo is under contract and that they don't believe in selling their players. So it looks like he is staying put. If that is the case though, why does Ronaldo seem to avoid giving reporters a straight answer as to his plans for the future? Responses from the Portuguese winger have ranged from "I'm staying" to "I don't promise nothing". If the contract is iron-clad and Manchester really doesn't sell players, why is he steering clear of promises? There are most likely a couple of reasons for his evasiveness.
First is the problem facing Manchester United. They have debts in excess of £700m, and though they claim annual revenue of over £200m, they have to question if they really need the expense of a player like Ronaldo. Though he is the league's top scorer, it has been pointed out by those less enamoured with him that Ronaldo is a ball hog who takes risky shots when he should make passes to other players. In time, this tendency could have devastating effects on Manchester's winning record. As other clubs learn to defend against Ronaldo, he could become a liability rather than an asset.
Speaking of assets, one cannot ignore what the move could do for Ronaldo himself. Though playing with Manchester is causing accolades to be heaped on him, Ronaldo knows he is barely tapping into his marketing potential. At a club, like Real Madrid, that cares at least as much about marketing as they do scoring, Ronaldo could double his income in a few short years. If that is what Real Madrid are promising him, the temptation to move would be intense.
So, what should be done? Manchester United appear to hold all the cards. However, they need to think about the future of their football club and make the decision of whether Ronaldo will ultimately help or hurt their bottom line.
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