Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo this week confirmed his intention to continue playing for at least two more seasons, aiming to lead Portugal to Euro 2024 in Germany. But where could the Champions League’s all-time top scorer play at his football club by then?
It’s safe to say that Ronaldo’s return to the Premier League hasn’t gone as smoothly as he and the Red Devils would have hoped, despite a more than respectable goal return in his debut season in Manchester .
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Trouble at Old Trafford
United failing to qualify for this season’s Champions League resulted in a pay cut for the Portuguese and was followed by failing to push through a summer transfer and being left on the bench by new boss Erik Ten Hag in five of the club’s first six Premier League games. montages this term.
So what could the future hold for a player some consider the best to have played this game?
Leaving Manchester United in January
Ronaldo has been dubbed ‘Mr. Champions League’ in some quarters due to the incredible success he has had in the competition. Five Champions League trophies. 183 games. 140 goals. All records. The Champions League looks a little less like the Champions League without the presence of Ronaldo.
Could a transfer to a club in January in this season’s competition be considered? The likes of Bayern Munich, Napoli and Chelsea – as well as arch-enemies Atlético de Madrid – have shown varying levels of interest in Ronaldo this summer and will hope to have reached the knockout stages by the time the transfer window arrives. January. They are also able to register three new players for the competition in the winter.
With Ronaldo’s contract expiring in June 2023, he will be available at a reduced rate; How often does the chance to sign one of the game’s most legendary goalscorers for a (relatively) cheap price come around? Would he even be willing to consider lowering his wage demands to continue his legacy in the competition for a little longer?
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Leaving Manchester United at the end of the season
The end of Ronaldo’s deal with United may seem like the logical point for him to leave Old Trafford. Coming to the end of a playing contract at 38 would mean retirement for many, but Cristiano Ronaldo has proven he’s no ordinary footballer. Having kept himself in incredible shape throughout his career, he was supported by none other than his own mother to continue playing until his forties.
Signing Ronaldo on a free transfer may also be too good an opportunity for many clubs to turn down.. And in the admittedly unlikely event that the United striker is willing to give up on his Champions League ambitions, could he be ready to sign up for one last big day on pay – there has been reported interest from Saudi Arabia this summer – to hone his shooting skills in time for Euro 2024?
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Stay at Manchester United for another year
The Red Devils have the option of extending the Portuguese’s contract for another year which seems unlikely given the current state of affairs. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial currently appear to be ahead of Ronaldo in the queue to start as United centre-forwards, seemingly confirming the belief that Ten Hag prefers more mobile playmakers who are ready to press from the front.
But the Dutchman also made it clear that Ronaldo still has a role for him and spoke of the impact of the 37-year-old not having had a full pre-season, hinting at another reason for his lack of competitive starts. Ronaldo will get fitter and stronger as the season progresses and the sheer number of games United have to play means he will undoubtedly have chances to make an impact.
As the Old Trafford club improve after a poor start to the season, there is growing confidence that in 2023-24 they could return to the Champions League – Ronaldo’s promised land. What else would be more likely to make him stay?
