Ronaldo had no offers from PSG when he wanted to leave Juve. Man City had a look after missing out on Kane but the price tag and wages were an issue. We were the only ones seriously willing to bend over backwards for him.Honestly he should've just chosen an easy move like Messi. He's never going to look poor in the French league, especially when helped by Neymar and Mbappe. Moving to the Premier League at his age was insane, even if he did still have one good season.
08/09 wasn't Messi’s first stellar season. If you watched Messi regularly, he was already the best in the world by 19 to 20 years age. His main issue was recurrent injuries at important times in the season that prevented him from having a significant impact on Barcelona. Thus he did not get the recognition. 08/09 was his first injury free season.I agree.
I remember Gary Neville (of course not Ronaldo's favourite pundit) saying he that thought that after his stellar 2007/2008 season when resulted in him deservedly winning the Ballon d'or, he didn't seem quite as motivated or as 'hungry' the following season in 2008/2009. Admittedly he was injured at the start of the season as well, and the standards that he set in 2007/2008 (which clearly exceeded his already excellent performances in 2006/2007) were so high. And there were still some excellent moments from him of course (the goals against Porto and Arsenal in the Champions League, against Tottenham in the Premier League etc.), but his overall level did look to drop compared to the previous season There was also daily speculation about his future as well. 2008/2009 was Messi's first really stellar season, and I thought that lit a fuse in Ronaldo for subsequent seasons as well.
Clearly Ronaldo would have enjoyed a tremendous career regardless, but I don't think it would have been so phenomenal over such a long period of time without Messi.
Even in the marketing side it was Ronaldo that made United famous world wide and people started to follow United.
Please don't start this one up again... It was roundly mocked first time around.Huh?
There’s been a lot of disrespect because of recency bias.
Luka Modric ?I’ll never get my head around a 37 year old acting out like Ronaldo has since the Summer. I mean, I get he’s a massive narcissist, but feck me, he was at a club where the fans love him, and on a massive contract, and he’s 38 years old in February. There’s never been a 37 year old in history that’s a guaranteed starter at a top club.
It’s just so incredibly braindead.
Luka Modric ?
He would have had his choice after Madrid. Juve was a terrible move, even if he were chasing CL with Juve the Italian league hides you away from week to week. I suppose PSG does as well but I think PSG was the wrong move for Messi as well.Ronaldo had no offers from PSG when he wanted to leave Juve. Man City had a look after missing out on Kane but the price tag and wages were an issue. We were the only ones seriously willing to bend over backwards for him.
In short he did not have options other than United so he did not exactly get to pick his club.
That's right. Benzema is 35 years old but has already showed signs of being injury prone this season so time will tell how the next couple of years will evolveI think Midfielders and defenders can do it, Thiago Silva is 38 and Maldini retired at 41.
He would have had his choice after Madrid. Juve was a terrible move, even if he were chasing CL with Juve the Italian league hides you away from week to week. I suppose PSG does as well but I think PSG was the wrong move for Messi as well.
Where else could Messi have gone ? I doubt the PL has ever interested him.PSG was because his mates were all there, 2 weeks before he signed and Barca told him sorry we can't register you. He was out on a holiday and met with the PSG players, it was an easy choice.
I personally still see Messi winning a CL this year with PSG, Mbappe Messi and Neymar will be unplayable.
I then see Messi back at Barca, unless PSG offer Messi insane money but I think he still might want to retire at Barca.
Luka Modric ?
It was a special case anyway, you're right in general tbh. More than the age, it's how his level of play (the massive drop) that was problematic. Even last season, when he was scoring more, Ronaldo had a lot of shocking games.Next season he’ll be Ronaldo’s age in fairness, he only just turned 37.
I think there’s a huge chance he’s not a guaranteed starter next season.
Where else could Messi have gone ? I doubt the PL has ever interested him.
He could have adapted his game, same way Giggs did, he has the talent. But he's obsessed with goals and records, the one area where you need the acceleration and age hits you hardest. He's been very badly advised, assuming there is anyone that he listens to. Sad, really.
Part of football is being fickle. Only on redcafe were one month we have a squad good enough to fight relegation, the next month the same set of players could win the league.Theres a lot of people on this forum who say recency bias
To be fair to Ronaldo, Giggs had a fantastic engine. He could run for days. So his transition into midfield would have been easier than Ronaldo if he decided to go down that route.He could have adapted his game, same way Giggs did, he has the talent. But he's obsessed with goals and records, the one area where you need the acceleration and age hits you hardest. He's been very badly advised, assuming there is anyone that he listens to. Sad, really.
Really ? He's never been happy to be benched or rested or even subbed at those clubsIf I recall correctly even during his time at Juve and later time at Madrid, his minutes were often managed and was on the bench quite bit resting him for CL games and didn't seem to cause a fuss then.
There’s been a lot of disrespect because of recency bias.
To be honest I can't remember anything at the time, but then again I wasn't following Madrid and Juve that closely, maybe some of those fans can shed some light.Really ? He's never been happy to be benched or rested or even subbed at those clubs
While Messi is the more naturally talented and better player, I think they've both inspired each other as well the next generation of footballers. Mbappe had a picture of Ronaldo on his wall I believe.08/09 wasn't Messi’s first stellar season. If you watched Messi regularly, he was already the best in the world by 19 to 20 years age. His main issue was recurrent injuries at important times in the season that prevented him from having a significant impact on Barcelona. Thus he did not get the recognition. 08/09 was his first injury free season.
But I do agree that Messi has been a motivation for Ronaldo's longevity. Personally, although I don't like his antics, it would be totally wrong to completely throw his stellar career under the bus. He is a football legend and an example of how to make the absolute most of your ability. He is also an example on how NOT to end your career.
Basically his entire careerTo be honest I can't remember anything at the time, but then again I wasn't following Madrid and Juve that closely, maybe some of those fans can shed some light.
Tbf it is a good one.Please don't start this one up again... It was roundly mocked first time around.
Basically his entire career
Lothar Matthaus doesn't need much to come down hard on anyone. The former captain of the German national team often comes out with harsh criticisms, and the one he has leveled at Cristiano Ronaldo after his poor World Cup in Qatar is no different.
"With his ego, Ronaldo has damaged the team and himself," the German commented in an interview with the Bild newspaper.
"There is no doubt that he was a great player and an absolutely lethal finisher. But now he has damaged his legacy.
"I find it hard to think that he can find a place in a team. In a way, Ronaldo makes me feel sorry for him."
Portugal exited the World Cup in the quarter finals after losing to Morocco. Cristiano was a substitute in the last two matches
"He is the big failure of the World Cup, the opposite of Messi," commented the former German midfielder.
"He's the absolute winner. He deserves it because he has given me and all football fans great joy with his qualities and the way he plays. And he did it for 17-18 years.
Link
Oh come on, he rarely gets subbed anyway. He's rarely reacted well to it5 times out of 100s of games?
Wow...Even in the marketing side it was Ronaldo that made United famous world wide and people started to follow United.
I was more talking about being rested and played in certain games which happened a lot previously.Oh come on, he rarely gets subbed anyway. He's rarely reacted well to it
I don't understand why Ronaldo doesn't go to some team in LA. I feel like he's someone who would thrive in that LA's culture rather than Saudi. I always saw him as someone who would go down the route of reality TV star after he retires from football.
I agree.I’ll never get my head around a 37 year old acting out like Ronaldo has since the Summer. I mean, I get he’s a massive narcissist, but feck me, he was at a club where the fans love him, and on a massive contract, and he’s 38 years old in February. There’s never been a 37 year old in history that’s a guaranteed starter at a top club.
It’s just so incredibly braindead.
