In this article we’ll examine how Cristiano Ronaldo’s time at Juventus coincided with the decline of their European outcomes. We’ll also take a look at his role at Manchester United, where his iconic status has waned. And, finally, we’ll look at why he may be heading to Atletico Madrid. Despite all these issues, Ronaldo’s future at Manchester United remains very much up in the air.
Ronaldo’s time at Juventus coincided with a decline in European outcomes for the Italian giants
As Juventus’s greatest player, Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a successful spell at the club. Despite the Italian giants’ decline in European outcomes, they won the Serie A title for the eighth consecutive season and won three consecutive Champions Leagues. However, they had failed to win Europe’s top trophy since 1996, a time when Ronaldo joined the club. Although he starred for Juventus for nine years, he did not win a Champions League trophy during his time in Italy.
The Portuguese striker was a key element of Juventus’ resurgence last season. Juventus eliminated Real Madrid from the Champions League with a last-minute penalty in the quarter-final. Ronaldo was part of the Real Madrid team that won the Champions League in 2017 and will now look to lead Juve to continental glory. However, the Italian giants’ failure to win the Champions League last season has resulted in a decline in European results.
While Ronaldo was in his prime at Juventus, his prolific scoring dipped off the map. He scored 21 Serie A goals in only 30 appearances, his lowest total in 15 years. This is not to say that the Portuguese striker was not capable of scoring goals, but he did not look himself in the mirror last season. A similar scenario happened against Atletico Madrid last season. Cristiano Ronaldo was forced to miss two games because of a hamstring injury and suffered a setback.
While he has been an integral part of Juventus’ success in recent years, his time at the club coincided with a decline in their results in the last three years. The club also spent a lot of money on other players. This trend was also visible during Ronaldo’s time at Juventus. If Ronaldo had stayed longer, the Italian giants would have been able to afford to pay him a higher salary.
Before Ronaldo arrived in Turin, Juventus’ nucleus had reached two Champions League finals in three years. However, the nucleus had also been sold off. Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Gianluigi Buffon had also left the Italian giants in the summer of 2014.
Ronaldo’s status at Manchester United has also lost its luster
Manchester United have been without the services of a top striker since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is a year older than the club’s current captain. Cristiano Ronaldo’s status at United has declined as a result, despite his long-term goalscoring record. The Portuguese international is a five-time Ballon d’Or winner but has struggled to find a place in Solskjaer’s team. Despite this, the club has struggled to cope without the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. Despite his enduring value as a player, his status has also dwindled in the Premier League.
While Manchester United’s season has been in decline, the club has not lost the charm of the Portuguese legend. On Saturday, the five-time World Cup winner returned to Manchester United, but his status in the club has also dwindled. The club’s title ambitions were thwarted and the squad was unable to qualify for the Champions League. As a result, the club’s status as a “must have” for the rich and famous has diminished.
Although the club can’t afford to play Ronaldo every week, the Portuguese star’s absence was felt on the weekend against West Ham in the Carabao Cup. In that game, Ronaldo failed to score and managed only one shot out of 27. As a result, the United team paid the price as an early strike by Manuel Lazini was enough to decide the game in West Ham’s favor.
During his time at Manchester United, Ronaldo improved his decision-making and finishing skills. He began to study clips of legendary strikers to improve his skills. During the 2007/08 season, he scored 42 goals, including 31 Premier League goals in 38 games. He was awarded the first of his four European Golden Shoes, and a prestigious BBC Goal of the Month award for the same season.
The Portuguese superstar’s status at Manchester United has also declined as United’s rivals in the Premier League have gone in for new forwards. In the summer, Manchester City won the race to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland. While Liverpool spent a fee that could reach $100 million on Darwin Nunez, they have failed to sign the player Ronaldo had coveted, and have instead signed his old teammate, Karim Benzema.
Real Madrid’s move to Atletico Madrid remains a possibility
There are several reasons why a Real deal could fail at Atletico Madrid. The club’s finances are in trouble, so they cannot afford to spend money on new players. However, a recent sponsorship deal with the Spanish giants has boosted the club’s finances and given them the ability to invest in new players. Moreover, the club recently revealed plans for a new training ground and a new stadium.
The Spanish climate and golf have led to reports that Gareth Bale is considering staying in Spain next year. While this would not necessarily mean that he would be able to play football for Real Madrid, it would ensure that he is close to his family and friends. Although he has scored just one goal in seven appearances this season for Real Madrid, he has helped them win four Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles.
Real Madrid are aware of the possibility of a transfer ban. This is why they went into a buying spree 12 months ago. As a result, they could be able to afford Mbappe’s wages. Moreover, a Madrid move to Atletico would allow the club to add another goal scorer to their squad. There are a variety of other reasons why a Real Madrid move to Atletico Madrid remains a possibility.
Atletico’s fans have not been convinced by the idea of Cristiano Ronaldo moving to Atletico Madrid. However, the club’s supporters have been slow to embrace Antoine Griezmann after his switch to Barcelona. The former Real Madrid star has not reached the final of the European Cup since leaving the club. The fans don’t believe that a transfer of Ronaldo would make any difference at Atletico.
In a bid to make some savings, Real Madrid is considering tough decisions this summer. After all, they already have a 35-man first-team. It is also trying to cut its wage bill. In addition to that, the club’s wage bill is a major factor. And Real Madrid is trying to make these decisions with the help of their investors. But a move to Atletico Madrid is unlikely to happen.
Ronaldo’s declining work-rate has left him in limbo
In the past few seasons, Cristiano Ronaldo has been plagued by rumours of his waning star power. A number of clubs have been linked with the Portuguese star, including Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. But a slew of reports have cast doubt on this view, with Chelsea’s Todd Boehly speaking with Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes.
Manchester United have flourished without Cristiano Ronaldo on the pre-season tour, scoring 11 goals in victories over Crystal Palace, Melbourne Victory, and Liverpool. This is despite the fact that the Portuguese player struggled in pre-season without the help of his entrance three. The addition of Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford has given the team a dynamic front three. But it is not just the aging Ronaldo who has deteriorated. The arrival of Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial in his absence has made the squad even more exciting.
