Cristiano Ronaldo to Barcelona transfer argument amid Lionel Messi and Juventus issues
Cristiano Ronaldo: Star plays football with his kids
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If Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Juventus this summer, why not join Barcelona? Seriously, it’s a move that would make plenty of sense. And the Portugal international famously angered Real Madrid fans by refusing to rule out a switch to Catalonia in the future.
To be clear, this isn’t the start of a rumour.
We’re not saying that Ronaldo is wanted by Barcelona, wants to join Barcelona or has the Barcelona badge tattooed on his leg. That third story is being saved for April 1.
Instead, this is merely an argument as to why Barcelona should seriously consider snapping him up when the transfer window reopens next term.
Lionel Messi could still leave, with the Argentina international being tracked by Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain amid uncertainty over his Nou Camp future.
And Ronaldo would be the best replacement possible.
If Barcelona do lose Messi, they’ll save millions on wages. But they’ll also lose millions in shirt sales, something they heavily rely on over in Catalonia.
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Ronaldo would solve that issue, however. Barcelona fans might have loathed him during his Real Madrid days but even they once applauded him – and would surely be happy to see him arrive.
Then there’s the obvious. This side requires firepower.
Though Barcelona still have Messi going strong, they’re far too reliant on the 33-year-old. Even if he leaves, they require more.
And with Luis Suarez yet to be replaced, the Catalan giants could certainly do a lot worse than Ronaldo – who has scored an impressive 23 goals from 24 Serie A matches.
Barcelona would also be getting one over on Real Madrid.
Los Blancos would be pained by the sight of Ronaldo pulling on the red and blue colours of their fierce rivals given how he’s one of, if not the, best players in their history.
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And, curiously, a move isn’t entirely out of the question. At least, from the former Manchester United star’s point of view.
Speaking in 2015, when he was still a Real Madrid player, Ronaldo sparked anger by refusing to rule out a move in the future.
He said: “There are things that you kind of already have an idea, that to play one day for Barcelona would be almost impossible, or to play for another English club other than Manchester [United], it’s very complicated.
“But that’s not 100% guaranteed. As I said before, there are no certainties in football.
“Everything is open, all leagues.
“I may end my career here with Real Madrid. I’m just being honest. I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. If I was 75% certain, I would say so, it wouldn’t be a problem. But I have no idea.”
If Messi stays at Barcelona, a deal would still suit all parties.
He’d get the world-class partner in crime he craves, even if he may have to swallow some of his pride.
Juventus would cut Ronaldo off the wage bill, something the Serie A giants are reportedly hoping to do at the end of the campaign.
And the player himself would get a chance to show Madrid, who he was unhappy with over the nature of his exit three years ago, what they’re missing out on.
It probably won’t happen.
But, if it did, it would be the stuff of pure fantasy. A mouthwatering move that would get fans, not just those of the Catalan giants, excited.
Meanwhile, Juventus chief Pavel Nedved has moved to play down talk of Ronaldo leaving the Allianz Stadium – despite reports heavily claiming they’d like that to happen.
“For me, Ronaldo can’t be touched,” Nedved said in an interview with DAZN. “He has a contract until June 30, 2022 and will stay. What happens after that remains to be seen.
“Cristiano, both technically and in terms of image, pushed us towards the peak of football.
“On a technical level, you can’t fault him. He’s scored more than 100 goals in 120 games and he dragged us into the Champions League.
“We can criticise him – we all have to be open to criticism when we make a mistake – but to question his numbers and what he gives us in every game, for me, isn’t fair.
“He’s a simple guy, even if it doesn’t seem like that from the outside.
“Kids will study his physique and his career. He’s the prototype of the modern player who, with immense talent and a lot of work, has achieved incredible goals.”
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