Transfer News: Cristiano Ronaldo Signs New Deal… With Real Madrid

Yes, he finally did it – he got things his way, again. Cristiano Ronaldo has just sign a new contract extension with Real Madrid and with that ends any hopes for Manchester United’s fans worldwide. Just as Gareth Bale did less than two weeks ago, United’s fans are disappointed yet again (read this), for these two players are supposed to be the marquee signings for United in the new era (at least either one of them).
Cristiano Ronaldo’s new contract extension (through to 2018) is one of the deals of the summer transfer, it is almost like another mega (galactico) signing for Real Madrid – notice the biggest of grins of Fiorentino Perez and Ronaldo. The new deal will see Ronaldo the highest paid footballer in the world, eclipsing Samuel Eto’o and higher than Lionel Messi. Ronaldo is reportedly to be earning €17 million a year after taxes and this figure doubles that of what Gareth Bale is being paid. Such is the importance of Ronaldo on and off the pitch that Real is willing to break the bank to give him the contract he wanted, it makes Bale a ‘minor’ star player – and especially after the admission from Bale himself that Ronaldo is the ‘main man’.

 

For all the talks and rumours on Cristiano Ronaldo courting Manchester United throughout the summer, it is apparent that Ronaldo’s camp is the outright winner. The scenario has been ‘rehearse’ well and through by Ronaldo’s camp. If Real Madrid is not willing to give a new deal, then Ronaldo’s options has always been to run down his contract and thus able to command a massive signing on fees (believe to be in the region of £50-£70 millions). If he wanted to leave, it would means his ‘new club’ must be able to give him a massive contract – similar to the one he just signed. United on their part has worked out this massive package with their sponsors, and the reluctant to spend big on other target signified their serious intention on signing Ronaldo. However it is the indecision of United and the willingness of Real Madrid that lead to Ronaldo signing this new improved deal.

 

Signing Cristiano Ronaldo (or giving him a new improved contract) is a win-win situation for both Manchester United and Real Madrid. Ronaldo is just 28 years old and is at the peak of his game. With the modern technologies and new found knowledge on managing players performance, football players’ peak can be extended through to the thirties and one can expect Ronaldo to be able to perform at the current level for at least 4-5 years. Adding to that, Ronaldo is a huge success commercially, his ego alone can sell, plus his looks and commercial appeal! -  even the great Lionel Messi is no way near in commercial sense. And with the kind of world class performance he is producing Fiorentino Perez is a smart enough businessman to know that he should do anything to commit Ronaldo to a long term deals. Besides commercial success, this new deal for Ronaldo also sees Real Madrid in a solid position – if Ronaldo decides to quit Bernabeu, Real would be able to recoup what they spend through transfer fees alone.

 

For now, Manchester United fans will be resigned to the fact there will be no marquee signing for David Moyes in this new era for the club. Rather fans would hope that Moyes and United would instead develop their own world class players – in the form of Shinji Kagawa and Adnan Januzaj!