Cristiano Ronaldo: The Most Pampered, Demanding ‘Slave’ In Football
"Let the women play in more feminine clothes like they do in volleyball. They could, for example, have tighter shorts."
For those of you who don’t remember, this was a suggestion by Sepp Blatter, the president of FIFA, to increase the popularity of womens' football. The most powerful man in world football is no stranger to controversy, having made such outrageous statements. Sad to say, he has done it once again.
On 9th July 2008, when asked to comment on the ongoing Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga, Blatter claimed that Manchester United’s refusal to let the player leave for Real Madrid equated to modern slavery. This statement drew well deserved criticism from many leading figures in the world of football. Many even said that it was time for Blatter to step down, as he was out of touch with modern football. Yet amidst all this, one man stood up to voice his support for Blatter. That man is Ronaldo himself.
I just cannot see how Ronaldo can be compared to a slave. He is currently being paid over £120,000-a-week to play the game that he loves. He won the English Premier League and Champions League last season, breaking George Best’s 40-year-old United record of most goals scored by a midfielder in a season in the process. He is one of the most marketable players in world football and enjoys the adulation of millions of fans all around the globe. In short, he is living the life of a football superstar. And, at 23 years of age, his best years are definitely ahead of him. United knows this and as such, signed him to a five-year contract in April 2007.
When Ronaldo signed the contract, he did so only after negotiation and when he deemed the terms to be beneficial to him. No one held a gun to his head and forced him to put pen to paper. In no way has he been treated as a slave. Both Blatter’s comments and Ronaldo’s support for it is disrespectful to the thousands of actual slaves hundreds of years ago who were not only denied a salary but were also beaten, sometimes fatally, for even the slightest mistake.
In my opinion, Ronaldo is a coward. He has hinted to the media numerous times that he wants to play for Real Madrid. On 6th June, in an interview with a Brazilian website, he even said “I would like to play for Real Madrid but only if it is true they are ready to pay Man United what they have been saying they will.” But amidst all this, he has yet to hand in a formal transfer request to United. Doing so would clearly signal his intentions and might even bring a quick end to this protracted transfer saga. But he has not done so and yet, expects United to bow to his wishes and sell him to Madrid. He feels that United owes him this move after he helped them win the two titles last season. But why would United want to let their star player leave for a European rival, especially since he has still four years left on his current contract? It just does not make any sporting sense. Moreover, Ronaldo claims that he has won all that he possibly can at United and now wants a new challenge. If he thinks that two league titles and a European Cup is the pinnacle of achievements, then he should look at the number of titles that his team-mates Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes have won.
Madrid have also played their part in this whole debacle by publicly courting the player through the media. At times, it seems as if they are openly goading and cajoling Ronaldo into joining them. They have said that if Ronaldo wants to join them, then United will be in no position to stop him. This is indeed a clever tactic that puts the onus on Ronaldo to make the first move. But, where then is the respect for United, a fellow club? Instead of approaching United about buying Ronaldo, they chose to proclaim their interest through the media, specifically Marca. It makes for great tabloid reading. But it does not reflect well on Madrid.
I am not a United fan. From a sporting perspective, I will be happy if Ronaldo leaves for Madrid as it will badly weaken United. But the manner in which Ronaldo has conducted himself over the past few weeks as left me feeling disgusted and appalled. Certainly Sir Alex Ferguson does not deserve to be treated in this manner, especially since he stuck by Ronaldo after the World Cup incident. Ronaldo may be gifted football-wise. But he seems to be lacking badly character-wise. And when all is said and done, this incident will definitely cast a shadow over his footballing legacy.
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=775993
"Let the women play in more feminine clothes like they do in volleyball. They could, for example, have tighter shorts."
For those of you who don’t remember, this was a suggestion by Sepp Blatter, the president of FIFA, to increase the popularity of womens' football. The most powerful man in world football is no stranger to controversy, having made such outrageous statements. Sad to say, he has done it once again.
On 9th July 2008, when asked to comment on the ongoing Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga, Blatter claimed that Manchester United’s refusal to let the player leave for Real Madrid equated to modern slavery. This statement drew well deserved criticism from many leading figures in the world of football. Many even said that it was time for Blatter to step down, as he was out of touch with modern football. Yet amidst all this, one man stood up to voice his support for Blatter. That man is Ronaldo himself.
I just cannot see how Ronaldo can be compared to a slave. He is currently being paid over £120,000-a-week to play the game that he loves. He won the English Premier League and Champions League last season, breaking George Best’s 40-year-old United record of most goals scored by a midfielder in a season in the process. He is one of the most marketable players in world football and enjoys the adulation of millions of fans all around the globe. In short, he is living the life of a football superstar. And, at 23 years of age, his best years are definitely ahead of him. United knows this and as such, signed him to a five-year contract in April 2007.
When Ronaldo signed the contract, he did so only after negotiation and when he deemed the terms to be beneficial to him. No one held a gun to his head and forced him to put pen to paper. In no way has he been treated as a slave. Both Blatter’s comments and Ronaldo’s support for it is disrespectful to the thousands of actual slaves hundreds of years ago who were not only denied a salary but were also beaten, sometimes fatally, for even the slightest mistake.
In my opinion, Ronaldo is a coward. He has hinted to the media numerous times that he wants to play for Real Madrid. On 6th June, in an interview with a Brazilian website, he even said “I would like to play for Real Madrid but only if it is true they are ready to pay Man United what they have been saying they will.” But amidst all this, he has yet to hand in a formal transfer request to United. Doing so would clearly signal his intentions and might even bring a quick end to this protracted transfer saga. But he has not done so and yet, expects United to bow to his wishes and sell him to Madrid. He feels that United owes him this move after he helped them win the two titles last season. But why would United want to let their star player leave for a European rival, especially since he has still four years left on his current contract? It just does not make any sporting sense. Moreover, Ronaldo claims that he has won all that he possibly can at United and now wants a new challenge. If he thinks that two league titles and a European Cup is the pinnacle of achievements, then he should look at the number of titles that his team-mates Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes have won.
Madrid have also played their part in this whole debacle by publicly courting the player through the media. At times, it seems as if they are openly goading and cajoling Ronaldo into joining them. They have said that if Ronaldo wants to join them, then United will be in no position to stop him. This is indeed a clever tactic that puts the onus on Ronaldo to make the first move. But, where then is the respect for United, a fellow club? Instead of approaching United about buying Ronaldo, they chose to proclaim their interest through the media, specifically Marca. It makes for great tabloid reading. But it does not reflect well on Madrid.
I am not a United fan. From a sporting perspective, I will be happy if Ronaldo leaves for Madrid as it will badly weaken United. But the manner in which Ronaldo has conducted himself over the past few weeks as left me feeling disgusted and appalled. Certainly Sir Alex Ferguson does not deserve to be treated in this manner, especially since he stuck by Ronaldo after the World Cup incident. Ronaldo may be gifted football-wise. But he seems to be lacking badly character-wise. And when all is said and done, this incident will definitely cast a shadow over his footballing legacy.
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=775993
