Oh you're right, not many people would turn it down... But not many people just kicked up a stink with a very arrogant interview, while also saying they can definitely still play at the top level, and they aren't kicking off for the money...
Winter Transfer Window 22/23
- Thread starter Bigpig
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Indeed, he's lost the respect of a lot of people. Could have easily took a paycut and gone to the likes of lisbon/Porto
Caporegime
Would have been quite the paycut. I imagine the only reason he didn't take it earlier is because he assumed he would see out the season at United, perhaps one more and then still go there for the same money.
To put it into perspective, At United he was earning about £30m after tax. In Saudi he will be earning, from what I can tell roughly £177m per year after tax. Thats insane. Do I think he will regret it? Yes, absolutely. He doesn't need that money and he will be remembered poorly by many after his antics over the past year or so.
Couldn't agree more, the guys contradicted himself. I'm sure he's more interested in records but think his ego just wouldn't allow him to take that step down in terms of the star status/salary in a team. And when you have 177m dangled in front of you it's hard to say no
This happening at the same time as Messi getting the World Cup and everyone talking about his GOAT status, this move makes Cristiano seem like he has conceded the competition for being the best player of this generation to Messi.
He always wanted to be the GOAT, that's what drove him in his career. I think that's what drove him to make the big deal about wanting to leave United to play in the Champions League (to maintain his all-time goalscorer record - he's 11 goals ahead of Messi), but now he sees that none of these records matter anymore, Messi has now won the World Cup, he's 2 Ballon d'Ors ahead (will likely be 3 now), there's nothing he can do at this age to put himself ahead of Messi now.
So he gives up and moves where the money is. He's settled with being 2nd best player of this generation (and in my opinion, all time). I don't think he'll regret it, let's say he stayed in Europe and scored 5 more champions league goals won another league title, does it even matter to him anymore? Maybe getting to 1000 career goals matters more to him than that.
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Caporegime
Will certainly be interesting to see how history regards Ronaldo.
Maybe taking the Saudi money is part of a longer term plan to own a team...certainly opens some doors. There's retiring with enough money to live comfortably, and retiring with enough money to DO things.
As much as the money-making, undeniably talented walking egos of the world like Mayweather and Ronaldo, tend to rub our British sensibilities the wrong way, I don't mind it personally.
As much as the money-making, undeniably talented walking egos of the world like Mayweather and Ronaldo, tend to rub our British sensibilities the wrong way, I don't mind it personally.
Caporegime
Ronaldo isn't the only legend of the game to go to such leagues.
He's also about to turn 38.....
He's also about to turn 38.....
Yeah, but it’s the manner in which this has all transpired, that’s the difference.
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That would be a big shame, means the midfield need wont be addressed until the summer. Hope that doesnt backfire and result in missing out on CL
I have absolutely no issue with anyone moving for the money, it's their job at the end of the day. I don't blame them at all for it, I just wish they would show a little honesty when they are.
Consigliere
If Ronaldo had said after he left Utd "I want to conquer Asian football" then it would have all ended differently...and to be honest, would have been a fair comment considering how much he does done in Europe.
Surely this deal has gotta go through he's consistantly talking about arsenal on his social media last few days
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If we spending money on a midfielder then we selling one as well, as we broke. But could be Maddison not Tielemans.
I know our interest in Maddison never went away and he had Wilson and Pope in his ear at the world cup and the small social media accident.
How long left on his contract? Is it a year and a half now? Think we offered 45m in the summer but you were after 65m.
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