Where are you going, Cristiano Ronaldo?

List of possible destinations is very small

Posted Saturday, June 09, 2018 by Marca.com

Before Cristiano Ronaldo decides whether to leave Real Madrid, he should closely analyse the destinations that would be realistic for him.

There are not many clubs that can undertake his signing from an economic point of view and that is before even considering the sporting aspect, which also poses problems or, at least, questions.

The first club that comes to mind is Manchester United, where he became a world star, winning his first Champions League and his first Ballon d'Or.

From an economic perspective, the operation would be viable, but it would be quite another thing to convince Jose Mourinho, who doesn't seem willing to change a team designed in his image for a player that inevitably forces you to play for him.

Not to mention, that the current version of United is far from one of the best clubs in Europe.

Without leaving England, there could be the Manchester City option, which at least guarantees a competitive team in England and Europe.

At the same time, it would be difficult to convince Pep Guardiola to put his work in the hands of a player like Ronaldo, a footballer who, beyond his relationship with the goal, doesn't contribute much else.

Outside of England, only one club has enough money to pay not only his transfer, but a wage structure similar to the level of Leo Messi and Neymar, something that Ronaldo desires.

That club is Paris Saint-Germain, whom the Portuguese has flirted with in the past.

In Paris, there is money and ambition but also a problem - and his name is Neymar.

The Brazilian and the Portuguese couldn't play together because the rules of Financial Fair Play wouldn't allow it, and the French club are already bordering on that limit with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Ronaldo's arrival would mean the departure of one of the two.

Other options? Only, in theory, Bayern Munich and Juventus.

The Germans have Robert Lewandowski, but the country's media have long speculated on a possible departure for the Polish striker.

It could open a path, because Bayern has financial muscle.

You can't say that about Juve, although Ronaldo basked in the adulation at the Allianz Stadium after his bicycle-kick goal in Turin.

Outside of Europe, one alternative is China, if what Ronaldo wants is to earn the most money.

MLS pay much less, although the environment would be more attractive to the Portuguese.

In the end, any of these two options would distance Ronaldo from the possibility of fighting for the two trophies that have shaped his career: the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or.