While the highlight of this summer’s transfer window has undoubtedly been Lionel Messi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain, Cristiano Ronaldo has also been touted for a move away from Juventus.
After just barely squeaking into the Champions League last season, many thought the 36-year-old would be on his way this summer. There were rumours linking him back to Real Madrid, Manchester United, and sensationally, to join Messi at PSG.
However, Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed that Ronaldo told him he’s staying this season, effectively closing the book on any movement this summer.
Juventus Boss Max Allegri Confirms Cristiano Ronaldo Stay
Ronaldo Has a Big Decision to Make Next Year
While Allegri may have sealed the transfer rumours for this summer, Ronaldo’s contract expires in 2022, and it seems very likely that he’ll look to move on from Juventus. He’ll be 37 at that point, and the contract he signs next year will very likely be his last, so he’ll need to think very carefully about it.
In the event that Kylian Mbappe does end up leaving, the move to PSG could happen after all, and every single neutral would want to see the two best players of this generation, perhaps even of all time, playing together at least once before they retire.
However, it’s very clear that Mbappe is currently a much hotter commodity than Ronaldo is, so the Parisian side will do whatever they can to convince the Frenchman to sign a new deal.
The move back to Real Madrid would also be appealing for neutrals, but new manager Carlo Ancelotti recently went out and addressed those rumors himself.
“Cristiano is a Real Madrid legend and has all my love and respect,” Ancelotti tweeted. “I never considered signing him, we look forward.”
If Ronaldo isn’t an option this summer, it’s difficult to suggest that he will be once he ages yet another year, as Madrid will look to the future in order to get back to the top.
There aren’t many clubs that can afford him, and of the English clubs, United just invested close to £100 million on Jadon Sancho, while Chelsea and Manchester City spent even more on Romelu Lukaku and Jack Grealish, respectively.
While it may have seemed unthinkable five years ago, Ronaldo may actually have to convince a top club to sign him next summer, not the other way around, but a positive season at Juve would go a long way towards dispelling these fears.
It’ll be fascinating to see what happens with Cristiano Ronaldo next year, but for now, he’ll at the very least honor the rest of his contract at Juventus, and hope to go out with a bang.
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