Could Cristiano Ronaldo be on the move to another club soon? Is that destination a return to the club close to his heart, Manchester United? Yes, it’s that time of year again- when the media finds any possible rationale they can to produce Ronaldo transfer speculation stories. Given his massive value and gargantuan wage demands, the list of plausible destinations is very short.
Given his history with United, plus his tendency to make glowing remarks about his former club in the press, Old Trafford is always mentioned at the top of any list of CR7 landing spots.
Over the years, Ronaldo and Real Madrid have provided plenty of material to re-invite speculation, and this silly season is no different. Take a look at Real’s kit promo video, which was released just a few hours ago:
You’re nobody until you create ???
Our new home and away kit by @adidasfootball.
? https://t.co/odfWCbsdVu#HalaMadrid #HereToCreate pic.twitter.com/BInQm2Lw4g— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) May 29, 2018
You’ll notice five non Cristiano Ronaldo players in it:
Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos, Marcelo, Nacho and even the supposedly likely leaving this summer Gareth Bale. This video gets released just after Ronaldo saying he would be leaving Madrid two days ago, and then confirming the very next day that he would be back at the club next season.
In addition to all these mixed messages, you have an ESPN report today claiming “all options are on the table regarding his future at Real Madrid,” as he’s also alluded to “being frustrated regarding new contract talks.”
Of course, you have the added wrinkle of Spain’s complicated tax code and the adverse effect it has had on the earnings of the world’s most well paid athlete, and thus we see more motivation for Ronald0 to leave La Liga. (This is a narrative we see every summer by the way).
Getting back to the shirt promo though, it’s worth noting how that video was most likely shot days, if not weeks ago. Also, Bale has an individual endorsement deal with the shirt maker, while Ronaldo’s partnership is with a rival sportswear brand, so that could have had consequence on the decision of who to include and who to not include in the video.
Happy silly season everyone! Just 16 days until the World Cup starts.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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