The old expression ‘never go back’ is applied by Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United. That is until his perfect life at Real Madrid gets interrupted.
Just as night follows day, covetous glances about a new contract for eternal rival Lionel Messi at Barcelona or rising criticism pointed towards his own performances sees stories conveniently pop up in the Spanish press. Without fail.
Ronaldo misses Manchester’s warm embrace, forgetting the sodden days that drew him away for a then-world-record £80million (Dh483.7m) in 2009.
He gets no support from omnipotent president Florentino Perez, forgetting the raft of renewals which see the Portugal megastar currently taking home a guaranteed €40m (Dh179.5m) net per season until the grand age of 36.
The only thing that is updated on the stories is the date. Both the tone and eventual outcome are utterly predictable.
Yet if there is any temptation, at all, from United’s covetous executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to pull off a blockbuster homecoming, there are a multitude of reasons why he should relent.
ALL THE WRONG REASONS
Holding your incredulity aside, Ronaldo would be making the switch for all the wrong reasons.
Ceaseless ambition that has fuelled his rise to becoming Madrid’s all-time top scorer and one of the greatest figures in football history would not be inspiration. Rather, it would be spite.
Spite at Messi’s usurpation as the game’s highest-paid player – remember it’s not about the money, it’s status. Spite about Perez not acquiescing to his demands, unlike on all the other occasions.
New deal: Cristiano Ronaldo and Florentino Perez
Even with Madrid’s, domestically at least, horrific 2017/18 considered, they remain – at this juncture – a cut above. Don’t forget August’s UEFA Super Cup.
Moving back to Old Trafford would be a step down. His all-encompassing ego would surely not react positively.
ON THE DECLINE
The electric, roving forward United sold nearly nine years ago after 118 strikes in 292 matches and nine major trophies has changed – significantly.
Even the man transformed into a centre forward for 2014/15’s unbelievable haul of 61 goals in 54 matches has gone. Increments of raw pace have ebbed away with each passing year.
The Champions League still remains his hunting ground. After epically turning it on for last season’s knockout stages, he then this term became the first-ever footballer to score in each group match.
In La Liga, a different story is present. A sorry tally of four goals in 14 matches has, of course, contributed significantly to Madrid’s slide down to fourth – 20 points behind leaders, Barca.
Worryingly, the power in his legs and ability in the air has betrayed him as Madrid’s counter-attacking, cross-based style has proved ill-suited.
Move beyond the reputation and a monster investment, in all probability, worth more than £300m (Dh1.5 billion) in wages and transfer fee just doesn’t stack up.
IT’S POGBA’S TIME
Besides, the club have already spent vast sums on another, younger talisman – Paul Pogba.
Football moves in cycles. Before Messi and Ronaldo, it was Ronaldinho and Kaka.
Prior to that, the Galacticos of Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and – the original – Ronaldo dominated.
Leading man: Paul Pogba
At the Theatre of Dreams, the crowd now moves to the beat of Pogba. At 24-years old, immense achievements lie ahead for the France creator.
Youthful exuberance, impressive maturity, requisite confidence and the natural gifts of ballerina’s feet anchoring a NBA star’s frame make him the coming force.
He is the heartbeat of the new United being forged by Jose Mourinho, with the ‘Special One’ stating after two fine assists were registered in Monday’s 3-0 demolition of Stoke City: “He’s [Pogba] happy because the team is changing the profile and the profile is going more in his direction.”
Why jeopardise this rapid rise with a blast of nostalgia?
“Viva Ronaldo” still echoes around Old Trafford, nearly a decade since his exit. Those treasured memories should not be extinguished by a burdensome present.
