80 Million Quid for the Russel Brand of Portugal

by John Stephens

Cristiano Ronaldo is finally, mercifully on his merry and self-satisfied way to what he sees as his new kingdom. He stands to earn around 100 million quid and is joining a team of galacticos in a league that now boasts the 3 top players in world football -not a bad way to start the new season!

Yes, he is a very, extremely, toe-curlingly vain and self-loving man but there can be no doubt as to his quality as a footballer. He is direct and penetrating, very fast and strong, good with both feet and with his head and scores and creates goals aplenty for himself and his teammates. Yet, he is seemingly the Marmite (or should that be Russel Brand) of players. People either loathe him or love him. Despite all the success he has achieved with Manchester United he has always seemingly craved a bigger stage (bigger than Man Utd!) with which to showcase his talent and to give him the adoration that he seems to crave as much as personal recognition.

His new salary is fantastic but there can be few who believe that the already millionaire has moved to Real Madrid for the money. There are a number of self-serving (and understandable) reasons such as (1) he will have the chance to pit his witts against and try to outshine the player generally acknowledged as being the best in the world (Lionel Messi); (2) he can help restore Real Madrid to eminence in La Liga and be acknowledged as a hero for doing such (3) the warmer climate and faster, more open games that will suit his playing style -thus the chance for many more goals (4) yes, Manchester United is a team of global fame and renown but in footballing terms, Real Madrid are acknowledged as a true great of the modern game. He is bound to be a success for vain though he may be he is a furious and dilligent trainer who strives for improved performance and he is not yet in his prime so the 'best' is theoretically yet to come (don't say that to Michael Owen!).

The love of Manchester and the professional acclaim just didn't do it for him. He craves the lustre of Real Madrid. Has the balance of European football swung back to La Liga?