around 50 million probably. Shirt sales alone would probably recoup that The cash he generates is certainly a factor in any possible transfer fee and the fact he just singed a long term deal last season. After winning the CL with Real after that long wait, he might just want a move imo he's shown no signs of being in decline at all.
No one's saying he's past it. However when you sign a 30 year old on a 5 year deal worth reportedly half a million a week you have to factor in what you'll be paying a 34,35 year old towards the end of that contract. Will he be 'past it' then? probably.
The thing is, a 'past it' Ronaldo would probably still be in the top 10 or so players in the world. We'll see if he can adapt when he loses his pace though but he certainly has the tekkers.
No way of really knowing that. How many top players were still genuinely world class at that age? Look how quickly Xavi has gone from best midfielder in the world to the American league - 2 years? Same with the likes of Eto'o, Drogba, David Villa, Kaka. I can only think of Pirlo and Zidane in recent years off the top of my head who were still top level around 35 and both of them were a lot less reliant on pace and power than Ronaldo is. Maybe he'll adapt his game but it'll take some doing. He'll still be a good player but for the money you'd be expecting at least a full contract at the very top i.e around 5 years. Not sure you'd get that.
Lets not forget. Just as humans are living longer, players will play the game longer. A 15 year career will soo be a 20 year career. We wont see many fat outof breath old timers any more.
Massive error from me then. I though Xavi was going to America (I was abroad for the last week of the window so missed a lot of the final transfers). In any event, he's nowhere near the level he was at.
A reasonable point to be fair. But look at this way. What if we do pay about £50m (the figure of £60m was just thrown around by Ballague mid-speech if I remember correctly, I don't think he actually meant it as fact). Lets also say we pay him about £300k to £400k per week. Lets say we get no more than 3 really good years out of him followed by the last 2 years in decline where maybe his games are carefully managed to play in selected competitions (like Giggs in his later years). Do you think we shouldn't do it? Do you think it still wouldn't be worth it. In answering that consider what he would give us in return.
Seems sensible to me Treble. A recent survey gave CR7 the top rating in physical fitness of all footballers, including Messi. A lot can happen in 12 months, but he is well pi**ed off at Real, and United is his second home
It's not completely rational, and if it was ANY other player, you'd question it and argue against it. And maybe there's a lot of heart over head ruling this one. But you know what, he isn't just any player. You know he'll give 110% commitment to his game - not just physically but also mentally. Add to that, he has a special affinity for the club. How he feels about United at this stage in his life/career, is how he felt about Real Madrid in his early career. And if that isn't enough, he thrives off wanting to be the best player in the world. He is ambitious, he is driven, he is arguable the best example there's ever been of a relentless attacking machine in football. Listen ppl, I'm well over 40 and still a peak of physical excellence and a god's gift to women We live in a bubble when it comes to football, like 30 is equivalent to 60. It's not. You look after yourself, and if you're technically good enough, you are just 30 and that's all.
personally think the reported 500k a week is bullshit. ronaldo being a top bloke that he is would take a pay cut to go back to his beloved united surely?
Think he'll stay for another season at Real then maybe head to America. Miami seems likely actually... He hasn't won in Italy yet so I do wonder if Real would subsidise him moving to their friends at Milan. Very special relationship between the two clubs, if Ronaldo/Milan were willing to facilitate the move.
