The message which has been coming from the press today is that Cristiano Ronaldo is certainly on his way out of Manchester United. Portugal were knocked out of Euro 2008 last night meaning Ronaldo finally had to comment on his current situation, after weeks of speculation linking him with a move away from the club.
The quotes from the press all came from an exclusive interview Ronaldo gave with Guillem Balague.
The headlines: “Ronaldo drops quit hint” (Sky Sports), “Ronaldo keen to force ‘dream’ move to Real” (The Times) and “Ronaldo Vows To Quit United” (The Sun).
However, if we look at the interview in its entirity, you will see clues that suggest maybe Ronaldo has been planning to stay put all along.
There have been quotes in the press from ‘sources close to the player’, which claim Ronaldo banned Ferguson from the training ground with Portugal, not wanting any contact from him and rejecting his calls.
Guillem: Is it true that you never took a call from Ferguson?
Ronaldo: It is not true
United fans will remember that in the aftermath of the European Cup final, Ronaldo was asked several questions about the match and his future. The final question, before he rejoined his team mates to celebrate, was whether he was leaving United next season. “I stay,” he said with a grin.
In the interview yesterday, without saying what his decision was, Ronaldo claimed his mind had been made up for some time.
Guillem: When did you take that decision?
Ronaldo: Some time ago, before the Champions League final
If Ronaldo had made his mind up before the Champions League final that he was staying, then his post match comments would suggest that he has known all along that he is staying with United.
However, the clearest indication that his intentions were to stay with United came later in the interview. As we are all very aware, United fans are generally none too pleased with the way Ronaldo has conducted himself in recent weeks. If he knew he was going to stay or go, then he should have come out and told the fans, rather than stringing us along.
In yesterday’s interview, Ronaldo was asked him what he felt about the fans’ frustration.
Guillem: You know that when you return to Manchester people will be upset with you
Ronaldo: But that will pass, a couple of good goals and people will be happy
Ronaldo was playing games with his comments about ‘white shirts’ last week, and I’m starting to wonder if he’s playing games again now. When he talks about his ‘dream’, people assume he is talking about Real Madrid, however that could just be more cock teasing from Ronaldo. In a few days time, he could reveal his dream is to stay in Manchester (assuming United bump up his contract, possibly?).
Do you think Ronaldo is planning on staying?
Man Utd News 24/7
Know the way he said he likes playing in white. Well isn’t United’s new away kit is white
Embarrassing.
He wants to go – that’s not even in doubt at this stage. It’s delusional to think otherwise.
The only question is, will the club let him realise his ‘dream move’.
I think we probably will in the end – and we’ll get a ridiculous fee for him.
Good riddance.
first and only place to publish this much of the interview. its why i read this blog, scott. thank you for shedding the light
I realy hope that he will staying
but it’s up to him
If he stay or go he will stay in my mind n my heart
do what u want ronaldo, I will love u 4 eva
god bless u any where u r
gloy glory man utd
[jsos]
First and only place? hmm…
Good blog though
If what you print is true, then can you disclose where you got the transcript of the interview?
I don’t believe this article for a second, and firmly believe that Ronaldo will be plying his trade in La Liga next season.
first and only place coming up on newsnow …
Scott, I’ve mostly been of a similar mind BUT your selections from that interview are rather neatly chosen to substantiate your viewpoint. I’d like to believe that you’ve got it right but…….
That said, he’s sure had a lot of “media face time” – the biggest story of the tournament.
I wrote a while back that there are two levels of “reality” about this whole kerfuffle:
first, the nundame level, based on “leaks” from his brother, his godfather, his agent, and his mother which muddy the waters because they seem to work at cross purposes; and,
second, the behind-the-scenes level which relates to contract negotiations and sponsorship agreements whch have also been nothing more substantial than rumours that Nike want to bring out a CR7 line of sportswear (like AIr Jordan and the Tiger Woods’ line).
The Ballague interview and Ballague’s comments on Sky Sports sure seem to give weight to the first level of interpretation BUT I think we all need to wait to see something absollutely clear come from the kid’s own mouth.
He does not completely control his own destiny and, hopefully, his public statement will provide an unambiguous answer to all the questoins that have surrounded this media circus.
I wish he would leave so we could focus on who is coming in and prepare for next season.
It seems to me the traditions of the club are being comprimised when players say they have ambitions to play elsewhere. I want players at the club that put the future of the club above their own ambitions. That includes Tevez who also said he’d like to play in Spain one day.
He has also said things like:
‘I have many desires’ ‘I stay’ ‘I want to be a Manchester legend’ ‘I want to play in Spain’ ‘I promise the fans nothing’ ‘I like to play in white’
He has said many conflicting and contradictory things. My feeling is that if given the choice, he would like to go to Real. Failing that ,he wants more money and a large pay increase to make him the best paid player in the world – I can understand this as he generate the club a lot of money on and off the pitch. I think a lot of this started out as posturing to get new terms on his recently penned United deal. However, he has genuinely now been well and truly seduced by Madrid since he has got whiff of the sheer amount of money they are offering. He also would prefer the geographical location they occupy to boot.
In many ways he has burnt his bridges with me. I will still enjoy his performances – if he says by choice, or is made to stay – but I will never think of him as true united like B,L,C and guys like Giggsy, Scholes, G.Nev. I will also NEVER forgive him for ruining this summer and the aftermath of the stunning CL final win. If he finally grows some balls and publicly states, clearly, that he wants to leave, then he’s dead to me and can go fuck himself.
spindle.. i hear what you’re saying about feeling compromised, however, if you rule out any player who has dreams of ever playing anywhere else – I think you leave the club extremely limited. Players who are up front about their intentions can be respected if that honesty means they one day hope to return to their homeland or elsewhere. If they give what they’ve promised to United, I think you can respect that.
To say Tevez compromises us by wanting to return home one day is misguided, in my opinion. He busts his balls for us from the second he steps onto the pitch until they take him off. He has brilliant things to say about us in the press and, imo, is a great asset to United. Not everyone can be a lifelong United player – though we’ve been lucky to have the great men who have made that pledge. I wouldn’t let go of the ones who’ve chosen otherwise though. They all contribute to our success.
Scott- I agree (I think) I made a comment about this earlier on RedRants.
My opinion, is that Ronaldo is going to ask if he can leave in a year or so. I think he wants to have a deal in place between Manchester United and Real Madrid where he will leave at a later date.
Whether this is at the end of next season or beyond I won’t bother guessing. I think Ronaldo is scared and possibly being bullied into a situation that if Manchester United don’t sell him now, Real will never come knocking for him again.
I know that Manchester United will not sell, so also believe that what ever Ronaldo does want it won’t happen anytime soon.
Also, I wasn’t sure what to make by this comment:
“But that will pass, a couple of good goals and people will be happy”
My first thought was what I have just written above but then also there’s the nagging point that he could have just meant this:
But that will pass, a couple of good goals [from the United team in general] and people will be happy [will be able to move on from this whole situation including Ronaldo].
Reading between the lines isn’t always great but then neither is Ronaldo’s English or the media’s morality so who knows?
As for the players who ‘want to return to their homeland one day, to end there careers there’
I think Henrick Larsson did exactly that and has remained a true, talented and passionate professional through out his entire career at all levels from Celtic, to the Champions League Final to Swedens national side and also his loan period with us. So it is DEFINATELY unfair to rule out a players priorities simply because of that.
Maybe my ideas are on the romantic side. I have no problem with players having their swan song in their home land, eg. Henrik Larrson. But it upsets me that Utd train these players to a higher level that when they arrived and that other clubs get the best years of these players. If Tevez stays still he is 30, job done
Just wsome longevity…it helps ediucate the younger players to have not just experienced players, but players who have experience of being a man utd player.
——————————————————————————–
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage…cle1317253.ece
Reda this story. My sentiments exactly
Also the CR7 thing. Isn’t this a Nike/Ronaldo deal? Does it have anything to do with United? I am oblivious to this. Though if Ronaldo did go to Real Madrid I don’t think it’ll be a problem to give their new star man the number ’7′ shirt. CR7 re-born?
Ok, I will stop talking now.
Raul wears number 7 – there’s no way they’d take it off him.
Scott,i really thought that what you said was true for a second.But,u have very conveniently left out most parts of the interview where its crystal clear that he wants to play for madrid next season!!!!As far as “a few goals and the fans will be happy” comment is concerned,lets see the context first-
Q-You know that people in manchester will be upset?
A-But that will pass.A few good goals and they will be happy.
He doesnt say whos gonna get those goals!!!He might easily be trying to say a few good goals by the other players and they will be happy again!!!
Read that article that i posted lads. I think it hts the spot
Tom F – CR7 would be a problem I think. Only recently and since Moscow, Real have said that Raul will retain the no 7 shirt regardless.
The other thing is that Real do not work with Nike but Adidas so a CR7 promotion may not fit into their plans.
he misses his buddy heinze, another turncoat!!!!!!!
[jsos]
Fair do… full interview is here:
http://guillembalague.com/interview_desp.php?id=10
Scott, even though i sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo want to believe you what you say and comments you have picked out from the interview which gives positives and hopes to us utd fans. The truth is he is going. He stated more in that interview which states he favours real….the cream, the train i cant miss, depends on people so i can move, upto the people now etc etc etc etc. The git wont not upset the WHOLE of MAN U so much iif he was coming back….he’s burnt the bridges, created hatred…he knows he cant and doesnt want to come back to us. Everything will be finalised in a few days and beileve me he HAS gone…judas judas judas
scot
your post is realy selective,and not a balanced overview of the whole interview.
the interview has a mixed message.personaly, i find that whole…2 goals ought to do it….insulting.
this kid totaly belives he can play games with the red army, belittle us and his team mates with wisecracks and bribe us with 2 goals!
mark my words,this kid’s going to cause division in the entire sqaud.we must get rid of him while he’s worth anything.
“Ronaldo was playing games with his comments about ‘white shirts’ last week”
Maybe he’s talking about our new white kit. Brilliant!
Ronaldo’s comment from the Balague interview, about Portugal’s exit:
“I didn’t do anything wrong. I did what I had to do but the team made mistakes and that is why we lost”.
That’s a pathetic lack of responsibility from someone who wants to be seen as the world’s best player. This is why he’s rubbish in big games. He only cares about himself, so he’s not a true team player, and therefore not a true United player. Sell him.
Jesbit – it’s intended as a counter balance, rather than a balanced article. I assume that everyone has read the other side of the story as it’s in every newspaper and football website this morning.
He have said so many things, according to various papers the last month, but have anyone actually seen or heard him say anything? It’s always the same thing, “a close friend”, “mother”, “brother”, “agent”, “source close to star”, “godfather” etc etc.
At least three family members is reported to have reviled his decision, but all have been different. Shouldn’t the family have been told the same thing? And all thses sources close to CR, who are they?
It probably begun after some sort of journalist published completely made up stuff, and the rest followed. When Real Madrid heard of the rumor, they went with it, hoping for the best.
The photo of CR and Real Madrid’s physical trainer could be no more then just two friends meeting by chance in Rome. He was at Manchester United last season, remember.
Why CR himself wont have talked about his future right before and during the Euro 2008, would be because he is a professional. He does not want to think about stuff like this, it may would disturb him and the team.
It will be interesting to see what happens the following days. He is said to go on vacation for the next three weeks, and then return for pre-season training. I’m sure most of the stuff the media has written the last month are lies and more lies. If he for some reason want to leave, and everything is true, fcuk him. He can go to Madrid and spoil his carrier, just like Heinze, van Nistelrooy and Beckham.
I THINK IN THE END OF DAY RONALDO WILL GO TO SPAIN MAYBE IF HE STAYED HE WILL STAY FOR A SEASON OR 2 BUT THEN HE WILL GO 2 REAL M .. GUYS ITS HIS DREAM !!
:-S
Ronaldo is world class, no doubt and as a Man U fan I hope he stays. But I think we will have to put up with this rubbish for another few weeks. If over the weekend Ronny announces he is going or staying, that’s it – the papers will go looking for the next big thing. Ronny wants to remain in the limelight, so I predict that he will head off on holiday saying he will make an announcement when he returns – 3 more weeks of Ronny this, Ronny that, 3 more weeks during which Ronny will be on the back pages.
One thing is certain, if Ronny leaves now he will never achieve cult status equal to George Best and Eric Cantona – Bestie and Eric the King songs are still being sung today; Ronny will be forgotten, just like Van Nist and Beckham (both great players, both forgotten on a cold January day in the FA). He won’t achieve that status in Madrid either; they only have eyes for Raul. Nobody else.
fock him, jus wished he’d cried yday wen they got knockd out by ballack and his boys!! that wud have been icing on the cake!! MUFC > C.Ronaldo FC
The “train” that passes by once is the opportunity of joining Real Madrid. Guillem Balague’s interview made it so clear that Ronaldo is leaving. And the goals that are being sored, I think he means, are those of Manchester United. Once the team gets going, the fans will forget about him, he’s saying.
Scott,
Fair enough about the counter balance bit, but what do you really think?
NO PLAYER IS BIGGER THAN MANCHESTER UNITED HE CAN GO, BUT WE WILL DEMAND SERGIO RAMOS, ROBINHO AND SNIEJDER PLUS 20 MILLION AND THOSE FOOLS WANT HIM SO MUCH THEY’LL ACCEPT IT!!!!!!
ONe thing seems cleasr – Ronaldo is quite right that once a few good goals are scored (by whom ?) United fans will move on. He has seen – with his own eyes – that the club is bigger than Beckham, bigger than Van Nistelrooy, and bigger even than Roy Keane.
For a kid with almost no ediucation, he’s a very shrewd self-promoter with words that are both ambiguous and completely open to interpretation.
I am also of the opinion, that if this matter isn’t sorted out in the next week it will be because Ronaldo has had to postpone his dream. He has always said that the matter is not in his control. And how right he is.
Goodday people of this site, i am Mrs. Dolores Aveiro, Ronaldo’s mother. You can all relax, my son isn’t going anywhere, he loves the club, but he’s a little bit of an attention whore, he’s just playing the press. He will be at Manchester next season and thats all that matters.
he made the decision to leave before final thats true,the fact he said hes staying and lied proves hes a snake in the grass and what he means people will be happy after a few goals he means scored by someone else while hes at madrid.Hes only 23 cant believe what a dirty lying snake he is.
eventhough rpnaldo is staying, but i dont think his heart is for man u though..he said that he wants to leave.. he is very disloyal to SAF..
CR is considered as the best player now adays, but if you look at his performances with his country, you will notice that he is not so effective and brutal like he is in man utd.
Sir Alex knows how to get the best out of him, thats why he is shinning with us. don’t get me wrong, he is a very talented kid but he needs teammates like the one in man utd to successed. So if he wants to leave let him leave rather than making him starts troubles in the dressing room (like some guys have mentioned which is true).
the way he is treating the fans, the club, and the person who made him the thing he is now is so irretaiting and disloyal.
to hell with him if he leave and i will never cheer for him if he stays (even if he scores).
Finally, the coming days will reveal the truth.
RR – I honestly have no idea about the future of Ronaldo. If you believe he is going to stay, there is plenty to support it, just as there is if you believe he is going to go.
All I know is that I don’t agree with the way he’s played the fans.
To me, it sounds like he is playing games and that won’t go down well with our fan base.
If he’s at United next season, that will be good for our title challenge, but we’ll hear far more songs for Wayne next season. Ronaldo will never be a United legend after this, sadly.
He clearly want to go and sees us as a stepping stone towards his ‘forward step’ and ‘dream move’.
Sell the prick. He has taken the piss out of us. I hope he flops out there, or breaks his leg.
Sorry lads, you can’t blame the media for this one. He has created this because he wants to pressure United into selling him..
I really detest him.
The question is not about Ronaldo’s dream in my mind, it is about how do we let those other guys, that won that magnificent double just a few weeks ago, know how we feel about them? How do we let them know how important they are to us and how proud we are of all of them? How do we show them that they are so much greater than those who come to this club and tell us which other clubs they want to play for? Tevez has not a lot of time to first be worth the huge fee we would have to pay to buy him , then go to Spain and then back to Argentina while he is still at his peak – get rid. We have no place for guys and there twisted egos who angrily barge into interviews about the Babes because he is running late, disrupting a serious and emmotional moment for the survivers who were in the studio, and then interupting Wayne’s interview on the Babes in an entirely unacceptable way by opening the door and whistling at him as if he was a dog – as reported by Daniel Taylor in the Guardian – get rid of this piece of imported *shit and let all United fans let our ‘real’ – if you excuse the pun – players and legends get on with receiving our total thanks and appreciation for everything they have achieved at the Worlds biggest and best Club. Lets make a resolution to not even aknowledge Ronaldo until our immediate celebrations are over and the lads have our cheers ringing in their ears. Lets deny any seepage of the sewage outside this club ending our summer without the celebration it so deserves. WEll done to all those players who put the club and it’s fans before any sought personal advantage, who gave their heart and soul in the last campaign – and if I ever hear another United fan slag off Michael Carrick again, that genuine and honest worker who mixes the bread and butter with a subtle blend og genius – well, …there will be trouble!
Lets get our celebrations in gear again… CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE!!!!!!!!!
It is quite apparent that CR wants to go to Real. It is pending the clubs reaching some kind of agreement. Scott is trying desperately to table some evidence that CR may yet be hinting at staying.
I don’t think this is necessary. United fans should just happily let him go and accept the millions that comes in exchange and beef up our team!
look lads, i am a geordie to the core, i think i would like ronaldo to stay but the fact is, he is going to go. he has made his mind up and it would be foolish to stop him. the contract does not mena he is in jail for the next four years, all it has done is given man utd power to get top dollar for him. let him go, you’ll still be the best without him. he has got too big for his boots lads. no one is bigger than the c lub, esp your club – bollocks to ronaldo and his so-called mind games. sell and be done. I am suprised you have not been linked with the one player that i hope newcastle get – Turan. sheer class. there are other ronaldo’s out there and they will all want to come to your club. What i would do though is try to sell him to inter or someone though – just to arse him off.
$$$ will decide his destination. And I think he will stay at Man U with a better contract offer plus more sponsorship money from Nike on CR7 line.
NO MORE RONALDO
NO MORE RONALDO
UST TO PLAY ON THE WING
NOW THE REAL MADRID BOYS SING
WE’VE GOT RONALDO
SO FUCK OFF RONALDO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m sick of people talking shit about Tevez wanting to play in Spain – He never said he wants to. He said many South Americans prefer to play in spain, and maybe one day he will – But that’s a long way off and he’s happy here.
Also take into account this has been translated in the first place.
Tevez is already a legend, and thinking he’s acting like even 1% of the twat Ronaldo is, is completely unfair.
On the Ron issue.. It wouldn’t completely surprise me if all of this has just been hype for CR7 or some other commercial deal he’s going to announce, and was just playing the media all along.
By the same token, it wouldn’t surprise me if he does go to Madrid, and if that’s the case – His loss, not ours.
Every football club buys and sells players. Tapping up is not exclusive to Real Madrid. Whisper it quitely even Man. U. have done it. Let him go he is going to a more successful club, wish him well!
I have been watching the season review and it’s quite weird looking back at Ronaldo, somebody who has given us so many reasons to be cheerful and know that his time is almost up.
As a player in our squad I think it may drag on for another year at the most but as a hero it is most certainly time up.
I think if an offer of £75m plus a player (Ramos, Sneijder..) or £100m for the player is made in a one off payment with a clause in the contract that he can never play against us I would take it.
Looking back over this amazing season, has made me look at things in a different perspective. All we need if Ronaldo goes is a player along the lines of Berbatov and then somebody who’ll provide many assists along the wing.
We could turn players with great potential such as Aaron Lennon into real stars. They have the quality and to think if we get a 20-30 goal a year man up front, with Tevez and / or Rooney behind we’ll be laughing.
Money talks.
Bullshit walks.
Go to the Marca paper website and look at the name of one of the editors; it is CR’s childhood friend, with whom he grew up in Madeira; the footballing community and general public have misjudged Marca’s role in this affair; they are essentially a mouthpiece for CR.
If CR’s own comments have not, even now, clarified that he is indeed leaving, then Marca’s latest article on the issue has:
CR will sign a 5 year contract worth £22.5m with Madrid. Man Utd will be paid a fee of £65m plus Robinho on loan for 1 year with an option of buying for £10m at the end.
RE: Clause in Ronaldo’s contract prohibiting him from playing against MU; such clauses are not permitted under the FIFA regulations (2007).
Hey all, i think we are missing the picture here. we must always be aiming to improve our squad. if keeping ronaldo does make things worse, we should sell him off or risk self-destructing. in fact, with him gone we can focus on strengthening our Man Utd spirit! it’s always been and always will be our strongest asset! team before self!!
anyways, we should let him go for 80m pounds & robinho/ ramos. then get ronaldinho & eto from barca! this way we get 3 world-class players and some change!! whoohoo!
think about it, it makes sense! our portugese speaking boys still settled with legends, and eto/ ronaldinho set work together – we keep our flair with english doggedness!
then we become more complete not over-relying on any one individual!