Cristiano Ronaldo

[Fergus' son]

It's hardly fair on bale to compare their stats, let alone their general play. Ronaldo hasn't scored less then 50 goals in a season since 09/10, and gets over 20 assists every season, while bale just got 25 or so goals with 10 assists at most. At is a ginormous difference, especially when you consider that Ronaldo plays as a winger and bale got those goals playing behind the striker for the most part as the main man at spurs.

Indeed.

 

[sullydnl]

It's hardly fair on bale to compare their stats, let alone their general play. Ronaldo hasn't scored less then 50 goals in a season since 09/10, and gets over 20 assists every season, while bale just got 25 or so goals with 10 assists at most. At is a ginormous difference, especially when you consider that Ronaldo plays as a winger and bale got those goals playing behind the striker for the most part as the main man at spurs.

True, Ronaldo is a far better player and Bale will almost certainly never be as good. My point was that even if he theoretically was as good or was likely to play for longer I'd still prefer Ronaldo, just because he's one of our legends. It seems strange to me that United fans don't mention that more in the Bale V Ronaldo debate, there's a place for sentimentality in football too. As much as Ronaldo would improve our chances of winning things, the truth is I want us to sign him because he's Ronaldo, a United great.

 

[JaffyJoe]

It is much more clear cut then you think obviously. Ronaldo gets twice as many assists and more then twice as many goals as bale, playing more as a winger then bale does for spurs. Bale is a great player no doubt, but with Ronaldo we are talking about one of the best ever and bale will never get close to him.

Also Ronaldo is 28, while bale is turning 24 in a month. 4 years difference, not 5. Regardless, the way Ronaldo looks after himself, I can still see him being world class at the age of 33 at least, and even after that he will be a fantastic player for sure.

Ronaldo plays in a better team with better players so more assists are expected. Neither is particularly creative both are solid in that department. We really don't know how good Bale will be his is at 23/24 one of the best players in this country. If he is at this level for the next 7-10 years then he will be more worth the fee than Ronaldo for half the time. Ronaldo plays the same way as Bale does he has the license to go where he wants and neither is really a winger anymore. What is Ronaldo? a fantastic goalscorer, shooter, pacy, skilful player and the most complete player in the world. Bale may not match him stat wise but in terms of effectiveness he can aspire to that level. He also stands out physically and is a goalscorer who should only get better he now needs to step up to a better team and do it consistently at the highest level.

I wouldn't want to pay 80 million for either. We will see with Ronaldo at 33 all quick players lose that pace around that age. His physicality is a big part of his game it allows him to be have such good movement and create space for himself and others. People talking about how Ronaldo 'looks after himself' don't most professionals players get old it happens. If you think Ronaldo will be this pacy powerful player at 33 when precedent suggests different I don't know what to say. No athlete is the same physically at 33 in comparison to their peak. He will not be a good player but he will be less effective while Bale will beat at his peak.

 

[JaffyJoe]

Out of curiosity, would you rather buy Bale or Iniesta? For similar fees that is..

What price? that is quite important. Let's say 50 million if so then Bale.

 

[Fergus' son]

What price? that is quite important. Let's say 50 million if so then Bale.

Why is the price important? Call it 80m.

 

[Revan]

It's hardly fair on bale to compare their stats, let alone their general play. Ronaldo hasn't scored less then 50 goals in a season since 09/10, and gets over 20 assists every season, while bale just got 25 or so goals with 10 assists at most. At is a ginormous difference, especially when you consider that Ronaldo plays as a winger and bale got those goals playing behind the striker for the most part as the main man at spurs.

It's not fair calling Ronaldo a winger. He is a completely different player to wingers. He plays in the left side, but he is either Madrid's most advanced player, or the second most advanced. He doesn't have any defensive duties that wingers have. I would say that he plays in Madrid more advanced than Bale in Spurs.

 

[JaffyJoe]

You make a good point that Ronaldo's older and doesn't have long left, and despite his blistering pace, he's got a lot more to his game which means I think he'll remain world class for the next 4-5 years. As much as Bale may be for longer, I'd still go for Ronaldo because while Bale's a top player, he's still nowhere near as good as Ronaldo is. Plus, the question asked which one would you sign for £80m. In today's transfer market, Ronaldo is worth £80m while Bale still undoubtedly isn't worth that much.

His physical gifts are what allows him to get the most out of everything else he has. We will see I don't know many players lie Ronaldo who have remained world class at the age of 33-34. Bale is nowhere near Ronaldo but Ronaldo is in his peak another year or two and for me there will be some dropoff. While we don't know what Bale will become. I would feel 80 is too much for either but in terms of getting value for my investment it has to be Bale. 7-10 9/10 years BEATS 3-4 where 2 will be 10/10 while the other two will be closer to 8/10

 

[JaffyJoe]

Why is the price important? Call it 80m.

Of course it is. But like I said Bale.

 

[Fergus' son]

Of course it is. But like I said Bale.

So what price would lead to your answer being changed, if its so important?

Thanks for your answer though.

 

[JaffyJoe]

Ronaldo is not a winger anymore lets not kid ourselves here. He floats around as much as Bale does. His style is so similar to Ronaldo's which is why they would struggle to play in the same attack without stricter roles which would inhibit them both somewhat. Bale is one of the best players in the league while he is not at Ronaldo's level he will one of the world's best for the majority of the next 10 years. He gives you more for your money. Though Ronaldo is the better player Bale has not reached his peak.

 

[JaffyJoe]

So what price would lead to your answer being changed, if its so important?

Thanks for your answer though.

Your actually right in that case it is not no price would change my mind why did you ask the question?

 

[Fergus' son]

Your actually right in that case it is not no price would change my mind why did you ask the question?

Was just curious.

 

[bosnian_red]

His physical gifts are what allows him to get the most out of everything else he has. We will see I don't know many players lie Ronaldo who have remained world class at the age of 33-34. Bale is nowhere near Ronaldo but Ronaldo is in his peak another year or two and for me there will be some dropoff. While we don't know what Bale will become. I would feel 80 is too much for either but in terms of getting value for my investment it has to be Bale. 7-10 9/10 years BEATS 3-4 where 2 will be 10/10 while the other two will be closer to 8/10

Personally I think Ronaldo will last longer then Bale does. Bale is completely reliant on his pace, and power, while Ronaldo has much more to his game when you look at his ability on the ball. I think it's fair to say that Ronaldo has another 4-5 years left as a world class player, while Bale will probably start declining at the age of 30. There isn't another player like Ronaldo who looks after himself in the same way, which is why you can't compare him to others. Bale's 6-10 years as a top player if he came here, wouldn't be as good as Ronaldo's next 4-5 years for sure. I'd be willing to bet quite a bit on Ronaldo scoring more goals in those 5 years than Bale does in 10, such is the difference in their quality and goalscoring prowess.

Bale would undoubtedly help us with the league title, but he wouldn't put us at the very top alongside teams like Bayern IMO which Ronaldo would do easily. We would have a much better chance of winning a Champions league or 2 with Ronaldo in the next 5 years then we would if we got Bale, and in the end, what we really want is trophies, not which of the two players would last longer as a top player. Who cares about that when one of them will put us amongst favorites to win the champions league and premier league every year, and the other just make us stronger in the premier league but wouldn't make a huge difference with respect to the champions league. The opposition definitely wouldn't fear Bale as much as Ronaldo, and we would have to nullify Bale a little and put him on the wing because he would not be the best player at United, like Ronaldo would be if he came. I don't think for a second that we would put Bale behind the striker and turn him into our main player if he came, and he is half as effective on the wing goalscoring wise. Ronaldo on the other hand would slot in much easier and while a few others might have to work harder in defence, we would be much better off making sacrifices for Ronaldo which would improve any team in the world, while if we turned Bale into our main player, I don't think we'd be better off for it considering Van Persie is a better player.

 

[JaffyJoe]

Personally I think Ronaldo will last longer then Bale does. Bale is completely reliant on his pace, and power, while Ronaldo has much more to his game when you look at his ability on the ball. I think it's fair to say that Ronaldo has another 4-5 years left as a world class player, while Bale will probably start declining at the age of 30. There isn't another player like Ronaldo who looks after himself in the same way, which is why you can't compare him to others. Bale's 6-10 years as a top player if he came here, wouldn't be as good as Ronaldo's next 4-5 years for sure. I'd be willing to bet quite a bit on Ronaldo scoring more goals in those 5 years than Bale does in 10, such is the difference in their quality and goalscoring prowess.

Bale would undoubtedly help us with the league title, but he wouldn't put us at the very top alongside teams like Bayern IMO which Ronaldo would do easily. We would have a much better chance of winning a Champions league or 2 with Ronaldo in the next 5 years then we would if we got Bale, and in the end, what we really want is trophies, not which of the two players would last longer as a top player. Who cares about that when one of them will put us amongst favorites to win the champions league and premier league every year, and the other just make us stronger in the premier league but wouldn't make a huge difference with respect to the champions league. The opposition definitely wouldn't fear Bale as much as Ronaldo, and we would have to nullify Bale a little and put him on the wing because he would not be the best player at United, like Ronaldo would be if he came. I don't think for a second that we would put Bale behind the striker and turn him into our main player if he came, and he is half as effective on the wing goalscoring wise. Ronaldo on the other hand would slot in much easier and while a few others might have to work harder in defence, we would be much better off making sacrifices for Ronaldo which would improve any team in the world, while if we turned Bale into our main player, I don't think we'd be better off for it considering Van Persie is a better player.

A trainwreck of a post mate and I generally like your stuff. It is all hearsay and what you think so and so will do, try and stick to facts and if you want to use your opinion back it up with logic. There is no precedent that Bale will start declining at 30 and Ronaldo will be quality at 33-34 you are making that up to prove your argument. Point me in the direction of player's who even justify this point in any sport let alone football. Players drop off in their 30's it is a fact. How do you know how well Ronaldo looks after himself or how well anybody else does for that matter. Your opinion are all based on your unique perspective on Ronaldo being some hardworking uber-athlete the kind we have never seen. Do you think players get as good as Bale is by slacking we are seeing his improvement year in year out. In terms of longevity if your giving Ronaldo 5 more years at this level when he is going to turn 29 i'm giving Bale 10 more years at the highest level, in all honesty by 31 I would expect to see a drop off in both their physical ability which would affect the ability of both to stamp their will on games as they currently do. Yes Ronaldo has more to his game, but first and foremost it is his physical abilities that make him standout they are a key part of his game, it is no slight on him or Bale they are standout athletes in this sport and get the most out of this fact. They play similar roles due to this. Players improve year after year in their 20's peaking at 28 and maintain this level for 2-3 years that is the case in most sports including football. I never said he will match Ronaldo's goals I said he could match his effectiveness that means being a difference maker in games at the highest level. As great as Ronaldo's 50 goals where this year is when you get no titles it only serves as bragging rights. Where were these goals in the games Madrid needed them to win titles?

Bale is 23 what player was the finished article at 23. He is already one of the top performers in world football this past season the only way is up barring injury. We would have a better chance winning RIGHT NOW as I acknowledge Ronaldo is the better player but for 80 million I would rather invest in Bale. Would you rather a Bentely with 25,000 miles left or a Ferrari with 50,000 miles left and they are going to cost you the same price. I would rather the Ferrari. If teams only bought players that would help them win right now or only played players that would help them win right now there would be no investment in youth football and it would not be so important to national and club teams. The game is always about looking to the future Van Persie is quality in a year or 2 we will need to start looking for a younger replacement. There is a reason Fergie said no players over 28 unless in special circumstances, Ronaldo would be a special circumstance but Bale is a quality player in his own right your talking like we are discussing Victor Moses. In regards to Champions League and Premiership. Isn't a player that helps you win the league going to be the same player that helps you win in Europe? You are basically saying yeah Van Persie is key in the league but he won't help you in Europe your best players are your best players, how good do you feel Bale is currently he was starring in the Champion's league 2 years ago.

Your post is mainly hearsay to prop up Ronaldo 'nobody trains harder' 'the opposition would not fear Bale' 'Ronaldo will be great for the next 4-5 years' etc etc. It is all mainly your opinion turned into fact. My point is and still stands Ronaldo is the better player currently but for 80 million you are getting a player who is turning 29 and in his peak in comparison to a player four years younger who is already quality and has not reached his peak. You have no idea how Bale would be used tactically here he is with better players who can support him more so that would increase his performance. Manager's still see Bale best as a winger at a better club he would play there at Tottenham they need his quality in the middle. He carried Tottenham to 5th, Bale is a great player RIGHT NOW and is still improving. Don't make things up to prop up Ronaldo that's poor form mate, Ronaldo is NOT a winger. He goes out wide to influence games so does Bale. As great as he is he has 0 Champions League titles in the last 4 years Bale would improve this team immediately so for that price and wanting more for my investment I would chose Bale.

 

[bosnian_red]

I say Ronaldo is a crazy hard worker based on what we have heard from numerous players like Giggs who have said that Ronaldo is one of the hardest workers they have ever seen, and Ronaldo has an unmatched determination to be the best around. Of course it is all guessing, but I honestly believe that by the age of 32 or 33, Ronaldo will still be a world class player. There isn't much to suggest that he'll have a huge decline in quality or in his physique because he is completely different to most other players. Look at Giggs now at the age of 39, still quicker then plenty of other players because he takes care of himself. Giggs in 06/07 started on the wing for us and had a great season, and with all respect to him, he's not in the same class of player that Ronaldo is. Even Sir Alex Ferguson has said something along the lines of Ronaldo being unique in his determination and how hard of a worker he is and how well he looks after himself. I'm pretty sure Ronaldo himself said that he doesn't like to drink either, which is further indication of him looking after himself better then most others.

Bale, while being a great player right now, still has much to do to have the right to be mentioned in the same breath as Ronaldo really. Many games he goes missing but to be fair to him he has been popping up with great goals to win games in the second half of last season. You mention Ronaldo's goals didn't win Madrid anything, but he could hardly have done much more, considering he scored 55 goals and had many assists as well. Bale had 25 goals, which is very good yes but he didn't lead Spurs to any great achievement. They arguably have as good a squad as Arsenal, arguably even better, yet Arsenal were the team that finished in fourth place despite not having a real star like Bale in the team. He still has a long way to go to start influencing matches more, and consistently push the opposition back and terrorize the defenders, like the top players around the world do. As good as he is, the english media have hyped him up to a ridiculous standard that I don't think he can live up to. There have been a decent amount of players who had better seasons then Bale had, and they led their teams to better things then what Bale has for Spurs. Also, this isn't really a big deal but you say Ronaldo is turning 29, when really his birthday was 4 months ago, while Bale is turning 24 in a month. Yes it's not a big deal obviously, but it's only a 4 year difference so I don't see how you can say stuff like Ronaldo only has 4 years left while Bale has 10. You also have to look at how good Ronaldo is and how good he will be in these next 4 years. Bale will never get to that level, and I don't think there can be much debate about that. He just isn't as good as Ronaldo and that is no slight on him.

Obviously bringing in Bale would help us in Europe, he is a quality player. He wouldn't make us favorites or have the best squad though. Bayern would still comfortably possess that. Even on the left wing, Ribery and Ronaldo are probably the two players who you can comfortably say that are better then him and have shown it every year. It's all hypothetical to talk about how we would use him if we were to get him, but last season, Bale was at his best behind the striker, and if he came to United in that position, I honestly think we'd be worse off. Spending anything more then 50 million on Bale would be madness in my opinion, let alone 80. The only players in the world who would be worth 80 million or more are Ronaldo and Messi, and there are a handful of others who we would be better off spending the price we would have to spend on Bale.

 

[JaffyJoe]

Compare Giggs at 33 too Giggs in his 20's pace wise not close. It is just a fact as hard as you work you can't beat time. All peoples quotes are subjective to be a top player you have to be a hardworker. Do we need people to come out and call Van Persie or Cavani a hardwork to know it is true if a player is improving they are a hardworker. I'm not denying Ronaldo is a hardworker but all top players are. If you asked Tottenham players i'm sure they will say the same thing about Bale. I'm sure Barca player's would say it about Messi etc etc. a player improving indicates hardwork and Bale has improved. Like I said 55 goals means nothing without any trophies except for bragging rights in a debate like this. Ronaldo is not scoring 55 goals at Tottenham and Bale would score more at Real. Mourinho called him out tactically despite all these goals he scored, he could still be better. Bale goes missing the same way Ronaldo did when younger but he still manages to be decisive and can be counted on in key moments. It is a trait of younger players that inconsistency knowing when how to influence games improves with age. How is he different from other players? He will drop off physically at 30-31 because he is human like other athletes. Just because he people are in the new praising him don't buy into THAT either do you think he is the only hardworker or pro who does not drink? He is just the one you know about.

How can you say Tottenham are as good as Arsenal only Bale, Lloris and Vertonghen could get into Arsenal's team. Tottenham is a one man team I lost count of how many times he was the difference. Teams not individual players win titles but the way you are hyping him up suggests otherwise. The fact is as much as he has scored he has no Champions League final appearance to his name, no gurantee he will get us to one. Neither can be criticized for his contribution either. Ronaldo is 28 Bale is 24 still 4 years. He is a quality player now and improving he does not need to be Ronaldo to be worth the money. He is a better investment. For 80 million I would rather a 28 year old Bale than a 32 year old Ronaldo which is their age in the four years that mean so little to you. I'm not paying 80 million for Ronaldo he is not worth it. Messi is. Who are all these players that players were better than Bale this season tell me?

We don't need to be favourites we need to win if he plays an important role in that then he proves himself. Where was Ronaldo against Dortmund or away matches when Real where consistently lost? Van Persie's 30> Ronaldo's 55. Ribery is 29 and Ronaldo is 28 they are better than him but he is a good player players improve until 28 then maintain that level for 2-3 years. He was better than Ribery at his age. He does not need to be top of this ranking system you have in your head. He gives you a quality player who is improving both are at their peaks right now. I would not spend 80 million on either but in terms of value for money and thinking long term you buy Bale. If you want to try and win immediately you buy Ronaldo though Bale would improve any team in the world. As long as at his peak he is among the world's best which looks a fair assessment he will be more worth it than Ronaldo. Ronaldo has 2 years of his peak left the rest is guesswork, Bale has not reached has and is already a quality player. If Ronaldo is a 10/10 as a player Bale is 8.5/10 currently. I'm not a Bale fan but don't hero over exaggerate to make someone else look bad. He has won one major trophy in the last 4 years and was missing when Real needed him most in Europe this season.

Who are all these players that players were better than Bale this season tell me?

 

[Raees]

Way too much text on this page, what the hell is going on

 

[Untied]

Way too much text on this page, what the hell is going on

They're arguing Bale vs. Ronaldo which is pointless: Clearly we are getting both.

 

[no.7]

/jaffyjoe you have far to much time on your hands - wow you wright epics

 

[Red Shorts]

Way too much text on this page, what the hell is going on

I just want some fecking straight to the point news "he's not signing", " He's coming here". Is that so hard? I've read the Lord of the Rings before, I'm not going through an epic piece of literature again thank you ha.

 

[bosnian_red]

Who are all these players that players were better than Bale this season tell me?

Last bit on this...
Off the top of my head (non defenders or keepers), starting with the premier league, Van Persie, Mata and Suarez. Ibrahimovic in Ligue 1. Gotze, Lewandowski, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Ribery. In La Liga, Iniesta, Messi, Ronaldo, Falcao. In Italy, Cavani, Vidal.
Need I go on? That's 15 midfielders/attackers that all had better seasons then Bale. All of these did really well for their teams and took them far towards their goals, winning trophies or competing for them, while being key players for their teams, albeit in the end some of them didn't end up reaching their goals.

Apologies for the thread being taken so far off topic, just thought I had to kill some of the ridiculous Bale hype that it got to the extent of people seriously comparing him with ronaldo.

 

[JaffyJoe]

Last bit on this...
Off the top of my head (non defenders or keepers), starting with the premier league, Van Persie, Mata and Suarez. Ibrahimovic in Ligue 1. Gotze, Lewandowski, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Ribery. In La Liga, Iniesta, Messi, Ronaldo, Falcao. In Italy, Cavani, Vidal.
Need I go on? That's 15 midfielders/attackers that all had better seasons then Bale. All of these did really well for their teams and took them far towards their goals, winning trophies or competing for them, while being key players for their teams, albeit in the end some of them didn't end up reaching their goals.

Apologies for the thread being taken so far off topic, just thought I had to kill some of the ridiculous Bale hype that it got to the extent of people seriously comparing him with ronaldo.

Pretty good list agree with most of them I was referring to England. The only ones who would get signed before him if you had to spend 80 million are Ronaldo, Messi and possibly Gotze and that is my point for the money your paying you want that investment and for me Bale justifies that despite the fact Ronaldo is the better player. Don't think it is overrating him to say I would rather sign him.

 

[Moonwalker]

just thought I had to kill some of the ridiculous Bale hype .

How conceited. You've killed nothing, other than a couple minutes for whichever hapless soul tried to actually read all that trite.

'Killed' in a bad way that is.

 

[SER19]

Am i alone, or just in a minority that isn't that pushed if ronaldo comes back or not. I loved Ronaldo at united, and he's quite obviously one of the best players in the world. If he came back Im sure we'd be successful over the next couple of years.

By then Ronaldo will be 30. 60 million or so is a lot of money and having ronaldo in a team, in my opinion, stifles the need to develop the rest of the team. he is that good. we'd be built almost entirely around him. and where would that leave us in a few years. back where we are now. we need to develop new stars, ronaldo was unheard of when he came here. we need to continue developing a young talented team by adding some real quality in the middle of the pitch. given the choice of ronaldo or signing 3/4 players along the lines of Thiago, Strootman, Isco i'd go with the second option.

Ive no idea who we might buy but every year theres a name amongst the predictable signings that shows how little we know. last year we very nearly got Moura, Nani and anderson came out of the blue, ronaldo came out of the blue, van persie was a shock, Jones was a name not often mentioned until he signed and so on. The club is doing lots of work behind the scenes all the time that papers and we dont know about. I hope theyve identified some young talent for the middle of the pitch and thats it.

 

[Striker10]

I would love him back, even if he probably won't come back. In two years, yeah he'll be 30 but he won't be finished. Not by any strech. He's got enough to adapt his game just like Giggs. He would be a coup and even if it's the poorest reason, it'd be nice to take from Madrid for a change. To be frank.

 

[JaffyJoe]

Am i alone, or just in a minority that isn't that pushed if ronaldo comes back or not. I loved Ronaldo at united, and he's quite obviously one of the best players in the world. If he came back Im sure we'd be successful over the next couple of years.

By then Ronaldo will be 30. 60 million or so is a lot of money and having ronaldo in a team, in my opinion, stifles the need to develop the rest of the team. he is that good. we'd be built almost entirely around him. and where would that leave us in a few years. back where we are now. we need to develop new stars, ronaldo was unheard of when he came here. we need to continue developing a young talented team by adding some real quality in the middle of the pitch. given the choice of ronaldo or signing 3/4 players along the lines of Thiago, Strootman, Isco i'd go with the second option.

I've no idea who we might buy but every year theres a name amongst the predictable signings that shows how little we know. last year we very nearly got Moura, Nani and anderson came out of the blue, ronaldo came out of the blue, van persie was a shock, Jones was a name not often mentioned until he signed and so on. The club is doing lots of work behind the scenes all the time that papers and we dont know about. I hope theyve identified some young talent for the middle of the pitch and thats it.

Thank you someone who understands my point. I am not saying Ronaldo is not great he is but he is not a great investment for us we are going in another direction ow he will slow that down.

 

[Striker10]

Thank you someone who understands my point. I am not saying Ronaldo is not great he is but he is not a great investment for us we are going in another direction ow he will slow that down.

Personally disagree. Even when he's past his peak, as a player he'd offer a lot. We could easily make him captain and an example to the other players to keep working and improving.

 

[JaffyJoe]

Personally disagree. Even when he's past his peak, as a player he'd offer a lot. We could easily make him captain and an example to the other players to keep working and improving.

That's fine but for 80 million i'd want more than two more years of his guaranteed peak over a world class player in his mid 20's or just hitting their peak in two years. That's just me, he is a player who is athletic ability is a big part of his game so how he will age without it is undetermined. But you can see my opinion over the previous two pages no need to reiterate. So now he should come back after leaving for Madrid and making a big fuss while doing so and become captain? he's not someone who would have patience with young players as seen by his screaming at seasoned pro's so he is the wrong fit for that role here imo. We already have players who are better examples than Ronaldo could be loyal players who spent their peak years here. That is what United are about are legends are EVERYWHERE.

 

[Balu]

Personally disagree. Even when he's past his peak, as a player he'd offer a lot. We could easily make him captain and an example to the other players to keep working and improving.

Yeah, it's like a modern Spartacus story, from being a slave to becoming the true leader. They should make a movie out of it.

 

[Lailiani]

Thank you someone who understands my point. I am not saying Ronaldo is not great he is but he is not a great investment for us we are going in another direction ow he will slow that down.

How would a once-in-a-generation player like Cristiano Ronaldo who'll be world-class till his early- and mid-thirties slow us down, please? I'd rather have someone like him - a complete player, big game proven, PL proven, CL proven, knows the club, popular among his former teammates, staff and us United fans, hard trainer, careful about his body, always giving 100% - than wasting 30 million pounds on the likes of Berbatov.

 

[Balu]

How would a once-in-a-generation player like Cristiano Ronaldo who'll be world-class till his early- and mid-thirties slow us down, please? I'd rather have someone like him - a complete player, big game proven, PL proven, CL proven, knows the club, popular among his former teammates, staff and us United fans, hard trainer, careful about his body, always giving 100% - than wasting 30 million pounds on the likes of Berbatov.

How is one a once-in-a-generation player when he's not even the best player of his generation? Agree with everything else though, Ronaldo would be a terrific signing and without any serious injuries he will be one of the best players in the world for at least 5-6 years, imo. Even if he lost a little bit of his pace, his off the ball movement is incredibly smart and he would still score insane amounts of goals. The physical attributes aren't the main reason for his success, imo. There's much more to him as a player which won't go away.

 

[JaffyJoe]

How would a once-in-a-generation player like Cristiano Ronaldo who'll be world-class till his early- and mid-thirties slow us down, please? I'd rather have someone like him - a complete player, big game proven, PL proven, CL proven, knows the club, popular among his former teammates, staff and us United fans, hard trainer, careful about his body, always giving 100% - than wasting 30 million pounds on the likes of Berbatov.

Mid thirties? Seriously one of you has to show me where you are getting the logic that a player whose main attribute is his athleticism will continue to be at the pinnacle of the game up til his mid-thirties? How many attacking players have EVER managed that. He is in his peak now and will be until he is 30 in two years. I don't know what Berbatov has to do with this but many top players fill that criteria you listed, fans really need to give up on this Ronaldo dream. A lot of you are prone to hyperbole in the case of Ronaldo, he is a human being not from another planet. I see Messi getting more criticism on the Barca website than Ronaldo WHO DOESN'T PLAY FOR US does on here.

 

[Count Orduck]

JaffyJoe, if this thread annoys you so much -- as it clearly does -- may I suggest you stop fecking posting in it then?

 

[Moriarty]

Yeah, it's like a modern Spartacus story, from being a slave to becoming the true leader. They should make a movie out of it.

And if it doesn't work out, we can crucify him and his agent, with Deansgate filling in for the Appian Way.

 

[Balu]

Mid thirties? Seriously one of you has to show me where you are getting the logic that a player whose main attribute is his athleticism will continue to be at the pinnacle of the game up til his mid-thirties? How many attacking players have EVER managed that. He is in his peak now and will be until he is 30 in two years. I don't know what Berbatov has to do with this but many top players fill that criteria you listed, fans really need to give up on this Ronaldo dream. A lot of you are prone to hyperbole in the case of Ronaldo, he is a human being not from another planet. I see Messi getting more criticism on the Barca website than Ronaldo WHO DOESN'T PLAY FOR US does on here.

There's your problem. If you think Ronaldo is as great as he is mainly because of his athleticism, you're clearly watching a different game than I do.

 

[JaffyJoe]

JaffyJoe, if this thread annoys you so much -- as it clearly does -- may I suggest you stop fecking posting in it then?

Where did I say it annoys me? Ronaldo is an interesting topic and this is a forum where things are discussed not agreed upon all day. I didn't want to talk about him that would be odd for a United fan no? My point is there is no need to exaggerate and hero worship a player who does not even play for us as great as he is. The once in a generation uber-athlete who couldn't get out of here fast enough. People will always get annoyed when you follow logic rather than your heart it's expected.

 

[acnumber9]

Where did I say it annoys me? Ronaldo is an interesting topic and this is a forum where things are discussed not agreed upon all day. I didn't want to talk about him that would be odd for a United fan no? My point is there is no need to exaggerate and hero worship a player who does not even play for us as great as he is. The once in a generation uber-athlete who couldn't get out of here fast enough. People will always get annoyed when you follow logic rather than your heart it's expected.

You're not just discussing it though. You're telling people they should give up on their hopes of him returning. That's what is winding people up.

 

[JaffyJoe]

There's your problem. If you think Ronaldo is as great as he is mainly because of his athleticism, you're clearly watching a different game than I do.

It is not the only reason he is great but any player who is has that advantage will decline when it diminishes. He is not a player like Zidane, Totti, Xavi etc these players are fast in their head not to say he is slow. Look at Gerrard, Henry, Kaka etc all terrific players but once they lost that yard or two as you do in your 30's you were/are not as good as they where in their 20's and peak years that is obvious. His pace is the key to his movement, the reason he is first to the ball, can still fly past players without using skill. His strength is the reason players bounce off him, his leaping ability is why he scores so many headers, he is in the conversation for greatest athlete this game has ever seen he could have excelled in many sports it is his most defining trait while he is till an amazing shooter, top finisher, technically gifted and skilful player. Ronaldo will not be at this level at 33 as hard as he works.

 

[Striker10]

That's fine but for 80 million i'd want more than two more years of his guaranteed peak over a world class player in his mid 20's or just hitting their peak in two years. That's just me, he is a player who is athletic ability is a big part of his game so how he will age without it is undetermined. But you can see my opinion over the previous two pages no need to reiterate. So now he should come back after leaving for Madrid and making a big fuss while doing so and become captain? he's not someone who would have patience with young players as seen by his screaming at seasoned pro's so he is the wrong fit for that role here imo. We already have players who are better examples than Ronaldo could be loyal players who spent their peak years here. That is what United are about are legends are EVERYWHERE.

We would get more then 2 years........I can't believe we're even discussing it. Ronaldo won't lose it anytime soon. Even when he's 34/35 he could probably drop deeper and still be an exceptional player.

 

[JaffyJoe]

You're not just discussing it though. You're telling people they should give up on their hopes of him returning. That's what is winding people up.

Winding people up? because i'm not saying what people want to hear. I would have no problem with him coming back if I actually thought it was genuine. Fans are trying to convince themselves that he is coming back because the papers say so. The same papers they didn't believe when they initially said he was leaving. He is fond of the club and that is ALL we have to go on he is not signing a new contract but he has announced no decision to leave. Seems like someone who is angling for something. I only mentioned him not coming in relation to someone asking me why he shouldn't, otherwise I have been discussing it investment wise and looking at the future of the club not just the fondness for him to return. If it was a deal price wise that benefited us I would want to grab him with both hands and would fly to Madrid to make sure he does not get lost, but for what I am hearing the deal doesn't strike me as good business.