Neymar and Antoine Griezmann two possible replacements for Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid

Sport360 staff 20:30 10/07/2018
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  • Cristiano Ronaldo has agreed a move to Italian giants Juventus from European champions Real Madrid.

    The 33-year-old Portugal striker has played at the Bernabeu since 2009 when he moved from Manchester United for a then record-breaking £80million fee.

    Ronaldo scored 44 goals in 44 games last season, also managing eight assists, and scored four goals for Portugal at the World Cup in Russia – including a hat-trick against Spain.

    Here, we look at five possible replacements for Real following Ronaldo’s departure.

    KYLIAN MBAPPE

    1215 Kylian Mbappe

    The French teenager is likely to be one of Madrid’s top targets. Mbappe joined Paris St Germain on loan from Monaco in August last year for £162million, which was paid when his move became permanent this summer.

    The 19-year-old scored 33 goals in 48 games for the French champions last season and became the first teenager to score a brace in a World Cup game since Pele in 1958 when he netted twice in Les Bleus’ 4-3 win over Argentina in the last 16. His performances at the World Cup have drawn comparisons with Thierry Henry and Michael Owen.

    EDEN HAZARD

    Hazard of Chelsea celebrates

    The Belgium and Chelsea forward has impressed immensely at the World Cup, scoring two goals and providing two assists so far.

    The 27-year-old might not be a direct replacement for the prolific Ronaldo, having scored 17 goals for the Blues last season, but he provided more assists than the Portuguese, with 13.

    He has also been given the Belgian captaincy in a show of confidence from coach Roberto Martinez. Hazard could find the lure of Champions League football too great, with Chelsea missing out after finishing fifth last season.

    NEYMAR

    0424 Neymar

    The most expensive footballer in the world, who moved from Barcelona to PSG for a record £199.8million, could be a target for his ability on the pitch and his appeal off it.

    Neymar, 26, scored 28 goals in 30 appearances in his first season in France and provided 16 assists. The Brazilian, who scored two goals for his country at this summer’s World Cup, was linked with Madrid in January but played down speculation, claiming he was happy at the French club.

    ANTOINE GRIEZMANN

    Antoine-Griezmann-Atletico-Madrid

    Despite announcing he would stay at Atletico Madrid on a television documentary called ‘La Decision’, the French striker could yet be targeted by Real Madrid.

    Griezmann, who has previously been linked with a move to Barcelona, scored 29 goals in 49 appearances for Atletico last season and also provided 15 assists.

    The 27-year-old forward had scored three goals for France at Russia 2018 prior to the semi-final but two of those were from the penalty spot in a quiet tournament by his standards.

    ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI

    0319 Robert Lewandowski

    Lewandowski set a European record of 16 goals in a single World Cup qualifying campaign ahead of the tournament in Russia, and scored in nine out of Poland’s 10 games.

    The 29-year-old is renowned for his goalscoring prowess and has won the Bundesliga golden boot three times since 2013. He has scored 30 goals in the league on two occasions since his arrival in Germany in 2010.

    Lewandowski has played for Bayern Munich since 2014 after moving on a free transfer from rivals Borussia Dortmund and has scored 151 goals in 195 appearances over four seasons.

     

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