Cristiano Ronaldo who didn’t realize his stagnation with a new coach wanting to build a collegiate was a cocktail previously doomed to cut himself off completely.
But imagine if he had done like Zlatan Ibrahimovic instead.
In fact, we’ve seen exactly this sequence of events before, in another city and another club of the Big Six dressed in red, as recently as exactly a year ago when the bridges between the then Arsenal captain were burned. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mikel Arteta.
Then he ended up with a torn contract on deadline day in January.
Although of course we shouldn’t try to compare Cristiano Ronaldo And Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s footballing achievements and standing, it wouldn’t be surprising at this point if something similar awaits this winter.
Because the cup has overflowed at Old Trafford.
Although Erik ten Hag and Manchester United are inevitably right to suspend their star player for the events against Tottenham this week, there is still something very sad about the whole thing currently being revealed.
I don’t want to go so far as to say that I understand refusing to be substituted and leaving the team early, because I don’t. But it’s hard to imagine the feeling when you realize you’ve fallen off a base you’ve lived on for nearly 20 years.
His strength – his fall
After all, throughout his career, Cristiano Ronaldo has been a player in the spotlight and in the spotlight. If so, when he took on the legendary number seven responsibility for David Beckham as a talent in his first transformation at Manchester United. If so when he was in billion dollar form, he set goals for fun during his decade at Real Madrid. If so, when Juventus spent the billion of his money to get the most famous scorer in football history as their guide.
Even last season, when he was “only” 36, Ronaldo was the player his attacking style of play directly relied on at Manchester United.
This year it was a complement to formerly loaned Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, who is looking to fit in. Once he played, he didn’t contribute arguments to let him continue to do so. Of course, new everyday life is difficult for a waning astral body, which may now consist of frustration like water. But the way he handled it was unsustainable.
In short, it also appears that the position that built his greatness is his downfall. But it could have been something completely different. We have seen that it can be.
It can become priceless instead of unworthy
When Zlatan Ibrahimovic, another big star who has recognized his greatness over the years, thrillingly returned to Milan in early 2019/2020, he knew he could no longer be what he was before in the long run.
He definitely started with a lot of goals and was a clear star at the top even on the field.
But above all, he became the captain that the young, inexperienced Milan side needed on their journey to return to champion status. And coach Stefano Pioli’s outstretched arm and voice became when other players carried the club to Serie A last year. Become the leader and companion the team needs. Invaluable to the group if he’s tied up or injured (which he unfortunately is at the moment).
When I hear Erik Ten Hag talk about his clearly severed relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, I can’t help but think:
“Imagine if he did like Zlatan.”
Then his return to United would have been invaluable rather than undeserved.