Friday | August 27, 2021
Portuguese superstar international Christiano Ronaldo has found his way back to his former club Manchester United in England.
Ronaldo made himself available in the market after it became apparent that Juventus were no longer going to afford his stay in Turin, Italy. Many clubs showed interest in him including crosstown rivals Manchester City.
It is indisputable that his run in Serie A lifted the profile of Italian football far and wide. He is a massive brand with immeasurable command for the mainstream media.
The Portuguese captain joined Juventus from Real Madrid in 2018. It was a surprise and a big move away from the Spanish giant where he really made his name. However, he wouldn’t continue that winning streak at Juventus. Italian conditions and the kind of players who complimented him were a far cry from his Madrid days.
The wait did not last long before United announced their reunion with one of the most prolific strikers in the world.
Now the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner finds himself where it all started. Manchester United have not had quite the luck they had since Sir Alex Firguson descended his managerial post. In Ronaldo, they have a fighting chance. With his remarkable, he might bring the inspiration that has evaded them over the years.
Yet, the Manchester diehard supporters can be forgiven for wallowing in a mere signature for now. With Ronaldo around, the ground beneath is shifting. They sense a seismic shake that heralds the glory days in one of the highly successful and well-known football clubs in the world.
Whether the air is real or fleeting dreams, they could not careless from the current jubilation. They have a flamboyant marksman extraordinaire at their disposal
Who could fault them? Their hopes have never pitched this high in recent history. But once the dust has settled and silence grips them all, it will start to unravel on the pitch.
In these uncertain times, there is a class of football realists which has its doubts. For Ronaldo is no longer the spring teenager he was before he hit the big time in Spain in 2009 and dominated the sports headlines along with the likes of Lionel Messi, then with Barcelona, in Paris Saint Germain colours nowadays.
It is no secret. Ronaldo is a force and big-time achiever in the beautiful game. According to Manchester United, Ronaldo
“has so far won over 30 major trophies during his career, including five UEFA Champions League titles, four FIFA Club World Cups, seven league titles in England, Spain and Italy, and the European Championship for his native Portugal.”
At the moment, Christino Ronaldo is 36 years old. And Manchester United, the club, knows it too that there is not much football mileage left.
Notwithstanding his age, United will make the most of him, whether pitchside or off it. He is a crowd puller. No doubt the talks and milling about in English rendezvous will be abuzz with not only his name but his magnificent exploits.