Cristiano Ronaldo

[Joemo]

He's nowhere near the best player in the world. Those saying he is are either watching old performances or basing it off of his FIFA rating. As @Vato said, if he's scoring and in good form there's nobody in the world you'd rather have, but if he's off-form or stroppy, for whatever reason, he's a huge liability. He will be selfish, will argue with team-mates, do silly stuff (like his red vs Cordoba), will sulk and not work hard.

No, I am basing it on the player's attributes. You know, the fact the guy is great in the air and on the ground, through the middle and as an inside forward, with a powerful physique that enables him to handle a physical game. Yeah, you're right, Sam, I don't know how this pretender was rated the world's best player for so long. He doesn't dribble 90 plus times per game any more!

What does that have to do with anything? He has all the attributes but he's not using them correctly, and isn't posting stats even close to the real top players in the world. Surely somebody like Messi, who can play in any attacking position as well as midfield, is more complete? It's not all down to attributes.

 

[Mutter Merkel]

What does that have to do with anything? He has all the attributes but he's not using them correctly, and isn't posting stats even close to the real top players in the world. Surely somebody like Messi, who can play in any attacking position as well as midfield, is more complete? It's not all down to attributes.

It has to do with my statement that he's the most complete player in the world. Over what time period? There was a graphic posted on the previous page demonstrating goals and assists for 2015. The last time I checked, we were in 2015. His stats from 2015 (including internationals) are right up there with the world's best players.

 

[Raoul]

The people calling him the best in the world or the most complete in the world are living in a different bloody world.

Only the shortsighted would claim otherwise. After all, one doesn't win the last two Ballon D'ors - an award for the best player in the world over the previous Calendar year; a recent CL, two goal scoring titles in one of the two top leagues in the world, whilst significantly outscored probably the greatest player ever during that period. As for this year, we are literally only one third into things, so its far to premature to claim he has regressed.

 

[dannyrhinos89]

We all want the lively active old Ronaldo who played for us 7 years ago, but for the people who watch him regularly nowadays, he's no longer that player. It's not just about "the lack of goals this season", it's more about the way he's been scoring goals for the last 1-2 years. They're quite different from the way he was destroying the opposition a few years back. Even his freekicks have deteriorated significantly.

Having said that, very few people (if any) "don't want him". Most here, including me, just think he's not worth 60m pounds next Summer, unless he shows something different in the coming months than what we saw in the last year.

This is the excuse people say when they don't want him but what i dont get is he may be in a rut at the moment (by ronaldo standards) but the simple fact is he's still scored 18 goals in 16 games already this year throughout the various competitions.

As for the price I don't get how it affects any fan how much he costs I'm well aware he will have no resale value because of his age but shirt sales would make the vast majority if not all of that back. Remember We have hundreds of millions of fans throughout the world and ronaldo's image/return hype alone will shift millions and millions of his shirts.

We need that "special" game changing player in our team, city have aguero, arsenal have sanchez, liverpool have countinho, chelsea have hazard. We don't have one, I suppose you could argue martial is on his way up there though

 

[VeevaVee]

He may be a shadow of his former self this season but it was only 2 minutes ago people were arguing who is better between him and Messi and were still valuing him at £100m saying he is the most complete attacking player in the world.
We're talking months back here.

 

[One Night Only]

He may be a shadow of his former self this season but it was only 2 minutes ago people were arguing who is better between him and Messi and were still valuing him at £100m saying he is the most complete attacking player in the world.
We're talking months back here.

People were saying that till about a week ago, but they're doom mongers because we're actually linked with him a bit more now.

 

[Utd7]

I swear, he'll retire at Madrid and we'll still be linked with signing him.

Yup, as a global club ambassador

 

[Deleted member 78215]

I almost get the sense that people think he's not good enough for us or something. Really strange. If Ronaldo is available, we should be in - and in hard.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I almost get the sense that people think he's not good enough for us or something. Really strange. If Ronaldo is available, we should be in - and in hard.

On a forum where Jamy Vardy is good enough for us, I doubt there's a single (sane) person who thinks Cristiano Ronaldo isn't good enough for us.

 

[Pyroblazer]

This is the excuse people say when they don't want him but what i dont get is he may be in a rut at the moment (by ronaldo standards) but the simple fact is he's still scored 18 goals in 16 games already this year throughout the various competitions.

As for the price I don't get how it affects any fan how much he costs I'm well aware he will have no resale value because of his age but shirt sales would make the vast majority if not all of that back. Remember We have hundreds of millions of fans throughout the world and ronaldo's image/return hype alone will shift millions and millions of his shirts.

We need that "special" game changing player in our team, city have aguero, arsenal have sanchez, liverpool have countinho, chelsea have hazard. We don't have one, I suppose you could argue martial is on his way up there though

It's 13 goals in 16 games and 10 out of those 13 goals he scored in 3 games, all of them in September. So he pretty much didn't produce anything since 2 months now and that's a bit worrying for a player, who doesn't do much more in a team, which does score much more than us and can support him much more than we ever could.
And what I don't get is why people put up stats to defend him. The users (including me) who criticise him know that he is a brilliant finisher and has always good or fantastic stats. But it's bananas to call him the best player in the world or the most complete footballer in the world, when he isn't even able to outscore the other top players around him, while the other players have obviously more to their game than just finishing. Nobody is saying Ronaldo isn't great or not world class, but there other players out there, who I think would have an better impact, even if they aren't as good as ronaldo, because they offer more what we need.

And I haven't even mentioned that he will turn 31, will cost a insane fee plus insane wages and we will probably throw the philosphy out of the window and try to be FC Ronaldo for the next 2,3 seasons. Oh how awesome will be that 4-4-2, where we try to shoehorn Ronaldo and Rooney into a team. Will be for sure much more entertaining^^
Nobody says Ronaldo is bad and I wouldn't even say he has degressed much or a lot, but when I look at all the circumstances there are enough legit reasons for me to say "Ronaldo? No thanks, we will look for another player."

 

[Deleted member 78215]

On a forum where Jamy Vardy is good enough for us, I doubt there's a single (sane) person who thinks Cristiano Ronaldo isn't good enough for us.

It's really strange, though. People are genuinely not wanting Ronaldo back. And they're not even primarily basing it on personality, wages, transfer fee - things I could possibly understand. Rather, they're not wanting him based on his ability. It's just crazy.

 

[Utd7]

One thing for certain, if Ronaldo is available, Woodward will be all over it. It's been well demonstrated that he craves the marquee signing as he looks at from a financial standpoint, his return on investment (I.e. Shirt sales, sponsorships etc). I just don't believe he's a good fit for us now and this is coming from someone who became a United supporter due to Ronaldo back in the day. Would rather see the development of Depay, Martial and even Lingard than be forced to play Ronaldo as a striker where his current skill set is now. If we spend big on a creative wide player who can score, we need to look at Greizmann. Activate his release clause next summer before Athletico try to increase it.

 

[Pyroblazer]

It's really strange, though. People are genuinely not wanting Ronaldo back. And they're not even primarily basing it on personality, wages, transfer fee - things I could possibly understand. Rather, they're not wanting him based on his ability. It's just crazy.

Look at my post above or read this article, which is spot on imo.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...fans-hoping-Old-Trafford-reunion-careful.html

Nobody is saying Ronaldo isn't good enough. The article above also makes it pretty clear that Ronaldo is awesome and still a fantastic player and the best when it comes to finishing and movement into the right positions to score a goal. But it's also pretty clear that there are things we shouldn't ignore and think about it a few times before we go in Ronaldo muppet mode.
I also don't want to say that I wouldn't take Ronaldo back. For Free? Let's sign him. For a good fee and we can get rid of Rooney too? Looks like a very good deal for us.

But for 60m and more plus insane wages, which will be by far the biggest in the PL? Real won't do us a favor. Just wait for 50m + De Gea, while we can pay Navas for a world record goalkeeper fee in return. And they will laugh and happily sign the next 2 superstars in their mid-20s and compete with Barca and Bayern, while we still wonder why we are a bit shit and so far behind. But hey all those shirt sales will be great of course, we will be number one there for sure

 

[Red Dreams]

He will not play for us again.

 

[Deleted member 78215]

Look at my post above or read this article, which is spot on imo.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...fans-hoping-Old-Trafford-reunion-careful.html

Nobody is saying Ronaldo isn't good enough and I also don't want to say that I wouldn't take Ronaldo back. For Free? Let's sign him. For a good fee and we can get rid of Rooney too? Looks like a very good deal for us. The article above also makes it pretty clear that Ronaldo is awesome and still a fantastic player and the best when it comes to finishing and movement into the right positions to score a goal. But it's also pretty clear that there are things we shouldn't ignore and think about it a few times before we go in Ronaldo muppet mode.

But for 60m and more plus insane wages, which will be by far the biggest in the PL? Real won't do us a favor. Just wait for 50m + De Gea, while we can pay Navas for a world record goalkeeper fee in return. And they will laugh and happily sign the next 2 superstars in their mid-20s and compete with Barca and Bayern, while we still wonder why we are a bit shit and so far behind. But hey all those shirt sales will be great of course, we will be number one there for sure

All of that is fair enough, I'm talking about people who don't want him here because "he's in decline."

 

[Mutter Merkel]

On a forum where Jamy Vardy is good enough for us, I doubt there's a single (sane) person who thinks Cristiano Ronaldo isn't good enough for us.

Vardy is premier-league proven, though.

 

[Pyroblazer]

All of that is fair enough, I'm talking about people who don't want him here because "he's in decline."

Yeah I think it's too early to say he is in decline. But of course it's a bit worrying right now. And it's obvious, even last year, that he isn't the "explosive winger" type, that some still see in him, despite his great numbers. We will see how he will continue that season. But fact is, he won't get younger, so it's not impossible that he could decline. Also I don't really get how people can only blame Rafa for his form? Yeah Benitez is a pragmatic and boring manager, but that Real side still scores easily more goals than us and is more dangerous. If people blame Benitez for Ronaldos poor form, how can they say he will score 40 for us in an even more pragmatic and strict system?

 

[Lawman]

Van Gaal says he wants speed and creativity. Anyone that has been watching him closely for the past few months will realize he doesn't offer that any more. He does not run with the ball anymore. I don't know if he refuses to or he can't but even Bale runs better with the ball at defenders than him these days. He's not creative, he's not beating players.
The people who think they will get the same Ronaldo that played for us are dillusional. He's unrecognisable from that player. His game has changed so much.
The only position I would play him in a possession based team is up top and he's said on many occasions that he doesn't want to play there.
All of this is added to the fact that areal will want over £70m for a 31 year old.

Hardly a stick to beat anybody with!

 

[Adisa]

Hardly a stick to beat anybody with!

Not a slight in any way. But Ronnie at his best was far ahead of Bale at running with the ball.
He hardly even does it anymore.

 

[Lawman]

Not a slight in any way. But Ronnie at his best was far ahead of Bale at running with the ball.
He hardly even does it anymore.

Sounded like an insult but fair enough

 

[MoskvaRed]

United's weakness is breaking down well-organized defences to create chances. It's not as though we pepper the goalmouth every week but just lack a clinical finisher. The 2007 Ronaldo would be ideal in taking us up a level whereas the 2016 version would be throwing his arms up in disgust at the lack of service while hanging around the goalmouth. Also, I don't want our two young forwards subjected to that enormous ego at such an important phase in their development.

 

[Oo0AahCantona]

the question of price and opportunity cost are perfectly valid arguments, however, I Find it a bit odd that all of a sudden the opinion is that he's a nothing player on the decline, when for the last few years he's been the best player on the planet and we've been clamouring for any link to him and the general consensus was that due to his status as a supreme athlete and a natural finisher he would remain top class into his mid 30's barring a really unlucky injury.

Ultimately it surely has to come down to who becomes available in the summer? If the likes of Greizman, Reus, Neymar, Hazard, muller etc insert name are all clamouring for moves then yeah, it would probably be a bit foolish to put all our eggs in the ronaldo basket as there is an element of risk with him at this stage of his career.

However, should the really top players stick with their current sides, which is a very high chance given they are already at big clubs, Ronaldo could be the difference between 2nd in the league and the treble judging by our sides growth this year.

 

[steffyr2]

the question of price and opportunity cost are perfectly valid arguments, however, I Find it a bit odd that all of a sudden the opinion is that he's a nothing player on the decline, when for the last few years he's been the best player on the planet and we've been clamouring for any link to him and the general consensus was that due to his status as a supreme athlete and a natural finisher he would remain top class into his mid 30's barring a really unlucky injury.

Ultimately it surely has to come down to who becomes available in the summer? If the likes of Greizman, Reus, Neymar, Hazard, muller etc insert name are all clamouring for moves then yeah, it would probably be a bit foolish to put all our eggs in the ronaldo basket as there is an element of risk with him at this stage of his career.

However, should the really top players stick with their current sides, which is a very high chance given they are already at big clubs, Ronaldo could be the difference between 2nd in the league and the treble judging by our sides growth this year.

Don't we do this every year, even when he was at Utd? And isn't there always a substantial percentage who say 'Ick' when it comes to him?

 

[Raoul]

the question of price and opportunity cost are perfectly valid arguments, however, I Find it a bit odd that all of a sudden the opinion is that he's a nothing player on the decline, when for the last few years he's been the best player on the planet and we've been clamouring for any link to him and the general consensus was that due to his status as a supreme athlete and a natural finisher he would remain top class into his mid 30's barring a really unlucky injury.

Ultimately it surely has to come down to who becomes available in the summer? If the likes of Greizman, Reus, Neymar, Hazard, muller etc insert name are all clamouring for moves then yeah, it would probably be a bit foolish to put all our eggs in the ronaldo basket as there is an element of risk with him at this stage of his career.

However, should the really top players stick with their current sides, which is a very high chance given they are already at big clubs, Ronaldo could be the difference between 2nd in the league and the treble judging by our sides growth this year.

Has much to do with the psychology of posting on the internet. Being anti-Ronaldo is an easy way to get recognized on the forum, which incentivizes a lot of posters to randomly have a dig at him.

 

[Rado_N]

Has much to do with the psychology of posting on the internet. Being anti-Ronaldo is an easy way to get recognized on the forum, which incentivizes a lot of posters to randomly have a dig at him.

That theory would hold more water if it weren't for the fact that it seems to be the majority opinion.

 

[Ish]

Has much to do with the psychology of posting on the internet. Being anti-Ronaldo is an easy way to get recognized on the forum, which incentivizes a lot of posters to randomly have a dig at him.

I'd say the way the tide has turned, being "pro-Ronaldo" seems to be an even easier way to get recognised these days

But in all seriousness, if anyone has an opinion on an anonymous e-forum "just for attention" or recognition, it would be extremely sad of them. I'd rate there might be one or 2 who does it, but if we had a poll, I'd say it'd be a split right down the middle (or close) - which makes it difficult to get "recognition" and prove your theory.

Anyway, on topic. I'd take Ronaldo back in a heartbeat - but not at the 80m they paid us for him, 6-7 years ago. We'd be absolute mugs to pay that. Obviously its not my money, so if the club sees sense in the deal, why not. We have more than enough cash to overpay a little.

 

[Brophs]

That theory would hold more water if it weren't for the fact that it seems to be the majority opinion.

Which? Him being on the slide, or that he's the best player on the planet?

 

[Adisa]

I'm not even anti Ronaldo. I love the guy. The posters I bought of him when I was younger are still on my bedroom wall in my parents house. He's my all time favourite footballer.
I am just of the opinion we need to move on.

 

[Rado_N]

Which? Him being on the slide, or that he's the best player on the planet?

Yea, reading that again it wasn't at all clear! I meant being against signing him.

 

[Brophs]

Yea, reading that again it wasn't at all clear! I meant being against signing him.

That's a bit odd. For all that I'm a pretty firm believer in the idea of players reaching their peaks earlier nowadays - how many top attacking players are there knocking around in their 30s, for example, much less phyiscal forces of nature like Ronaldo - I still think if you have a chance to take him you do it and let the cards fall where they may. I find it hard to believe that even a Ronaldo whose level has dropped off somewhat, wouldn't still be a very good player in this league. As supporters we sometimes get caught up in the financials, but if you pare it back to the footballing stuff, signing one of the top 2 or 3 players in the world for a team in transition, at a time where you can reasomably expect to get at least two really good seasons from him - and possibly four or five - seems a no brainer.

 

[Rado_N]

That's a bit odd. For all that I'm a pretty firm believer in the idea of players reaching their peaks earlier nowadays - how many top attacking players are there knocking around in their 30s, for example, much less phyiscal forces of nature like Ronaldo - I still think if you have a chance to take him you do it and let the cards fall where they may. I find it hard to believe that even a Ronaldo whose level has dropped off somewhat, wouldn't still be a very good player in this league. As supporters we sometimes get caught up in the financials, but if you pare it back to the footballing stuff, signing one of the top 2 or 3 players in the world for a team in transition, at a time where you can reasomably expect to get at least two really good seasons from him - and possibly four or five - seems a no brainer.

He's obviously still very talented, but personally I think signing him at this age would cause more problems then it solves.

Finishing chances isn't our biggest problem, it's actually creating them and he doesn't do much of that these days. His defensive contribution is zero, which is fine if he's banging in a shittonne of goals but would he really do that with the way we play?

I've never been one to get hung up on transfer fees, I think they're generally irrelevant to us as fans, but he'd likely swallow a decent chunk of our budget for the window which is money I think could be spent in places we have bigger needs, i.e. creativity.

It's also worth bearing in mind that we'd be looking at at least a four year contract (a transfer fee of the size we're talking about wouldn't be sanctioned for anything less) - do we want to be tied into another long term deal for a player with his best years behind him paying him £400k a week?

I loved Ronaldo as a United player, but those memories are probably best left as memories at this stage.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

It would be improbable but not outlandish if he can come back and become the club's leading scorer. He's 131 goals short of Charlton. Rooney might break it and leave in the summer.

 

[Will Absolute]

£25m for Ronaldo? I couldn't see him going for less than £55m regardless of recent performances.

And with 3 years left on his contract, and PSG being all over it.

People are living in a fantasy if they think Ronaldo will go on the cheap. And thats before even thinking about his contract. He'll cost an enormous amount of money for whoever buys him.

His age. Football people are rarely financial geniuses, and age is not always fully factored in, but any asset is valued by likely years of future service. There's no way a player who'll turn 32 in his first year at his new club, and is already showing signs of decline, can be worth 70 - 80% of his value in his early twenties.

 

[Devil81]

Just tried to watch the first ten minutes of the Ronaldo movie, turned it off at his Real Madrid presentation. Felt sick!!!!!!

 

[VeevaVee]

His age. Football people are rarely financial geniuses, and age is not always fully factored in, but any asset is valued by likely years of future service. There's no way a player who'll turn 32 in his first year at his new club, and is already showing signs of decline, can be worth 70 - 80% of his value in his early twenties.

He was sold way too cheap and prices went even more insane not long after though.
Someone will be prepared to spend a lot of money on him.

 

[Will Absolute]

He was sold way too cheap and prices went even more insane not long after though.
Someone will be prepared to spend a lot of money on him.

Prestige is the only reason to value Ronaldo so highly, and PSG are the only club who might pay so much money for a PR coup. Woodward certainly overpaid for Di Maria and made a bad deal for Falcao, but hopefully he's learned his lesson.

We're the only two clubs in the world who might be interested, and I hope we take a sensible approach. At the right (low) price, Ronaldo could justify big wages and do a job for us, particularly if we can't lay our hands on a good, young forward; but if the Qataris are fool enough to offer big money, we should let them have him.

 

[steffyr2]

He's nowhere near the best player in the world. Those saying he is are either watching old performances or basing it off of his FIFA rating. As @Vato said, if he's scoring and in good form there's nobody in the world you'd rather have, but if he's off-form or stroppy, for whatever reason, he's a huge liability. He will be selfish, will argue with team-mates, do silly stuff (like his red vs Cordoba), will sulk and not work hard.


What does that have to do with anything? He has all the attributes but he's not using them correctly, and isn't posting stats even close to the real top players in the world. Surely somebody like Messi, who can play in any attacking position as well as midfield, is more complete? It's not all down to attributes.

So Ronaldo's nowhere near the best player in the world, but you use Messi for a comparison. How about comparing him to Ashley Young or Fellaini. The players who'd he be replacing.

 

[Sam]

His age. Football people are rarely financial geniuses, and age is not always fully factored in, but any asset is valued by likely years of future service. There's no way a player who'll turn 32 in his first year at his new club, and is already showing signs of decline, can be worth 70 - 80% of his value in his early twenties.

Madrid have no reason to sell him on the cheap. They hold all the cards.

 

[cyberman]

So Ronaldo's nowhere near the best player in the world, but you use Messi for a comparison. How about comparing him to Ashley Young or Fellaini. The players who'd he be replacing.

Bingo. We plucked a reserve out of nowhere to spice up our attack this year...but Ronaldo will hold us back

 

[Sam]

Bingo. We plucked a reserve out of nowhere to spice up our attack this year...but Ronaldo will hold us back

No one is saying he'd hold us back, or not improve us...where are these straw man arguments coming from?

The argument against is that he'd be a very very expensive short term investment...who could present a huge problem a couple of years down the line just like RVP, Rooney, and to a lesser extent Falcao have. And also, for the money it would cost, we could buy a player who would spend his peak years at the club, and contribute for the next 5/10 years, rather then just 2 or 3.