"No one wants you" that has been the theme for the entirety of Ronaldo's second season with Manchester United. There would always be sides taken and this is based on how we have perceived it. I won't even dwell on the interview and the words he has spoken but speak about how he finally came to terms that age indeed isn't on his side anymore.
Everything Ronaldo did during the second season of his second spell with Manchester United shows a man who finds it hard to accept being overlooked or being benched. He feels he can still do it and I admire his resilience because it led him up to this point in his stellar career but there comes a time you just have to be honest with yourself and ignore what everyone would say.
I think he's struggling to come to terms with his new reality because he consistently want to be the best and no doubt, he doesn't want to fall too far off away from Lionel Messi. This is not an argument as to who is the best because I hardly engage in such debate as I hold both players in high esteem. I feel Ronaldo finally came to terms with the acceptance that he couldn't keep up with the pace in Europe anymore. Maybe he is tired of the whole media and decided to go far away but I don't think the media would go away nor would the comparison with Lionel Messi fade as long as they are both playing and living.
He has finally come to terms and he went off to Al-Nassr in Saudi Pro League. If you can't win more trophies at least make more money and I don't see what's wrong with his choice. A lot of people fault his moves maybe because of his past words but this is now a man who has come to accept his new reality because age has finally caught up with him.
I watched him struggle for pace sometimes and it was hard to believe. European football is moving at such a fast pace these days and I have to genuinely say he is struggling to keep up with the pace. With the way everyone is criticizing him for not tracking back and all. The truth is, Ronaldo is never that type of player to track back. Just give him the ball and let him deliver. All you need around him is a quality service. He's a different player to Lionel Messi so expecting him to be all about tracking back and assist is a bit absurd to be honest.
They are demanding more than he is willing to give. He tried but other aspect of his game suffered for it as the goals weren't coming and his fierceness got reduced. With the pace and how things might be in Saudi Pro League, I believe he would get the goals if they can deliver quality services to him. I checked their league today and noticed they are top of the league with a point. His addition would strengthen them on the pitch as we have seen how their numbers skyrocketed on social media.
I'm not going to say anything against his move other than, this is a man that has finally come to terms with his new reality and he moved to a league where he can cut it. He has won everything he needs to win in European football and his records cannot be taken away from him. His legacy cannot be cancelled because he moved to Saudi Arabia. A lot was said about Pele not coming to Europe too during his Santos days and till his last breath and after, we are still celebrating what a great player he was. The same would be about Ronaldo.
We would talk about his second stint, his interview and how childish he acts sometimes with not setting worthy examples but still, we would also talk about what a great player he is and the records he has broken. Those achievements cannot be taken away from him and his name would forever be in the annals of football history whether as his records stay up there or as others come from behind to break it. His name would always be mentioned.
He has come to terms with his latest reality, it's time the world come to terms with his decision and stop dragging it unnecessarily. After all, they have said no one wanted him and now he moved to where is feels wanted and the money is good, so if he was your brother, would you have asked him to turn down the money again? He's 37 and at most, he has 3 years left to play and that league looks like it would ease him into retirement and I can only wish him all the best.
Now, I have to keep an eye on the Saudi Arabia Pro League...all thanks to Ronaldo 😂 just as I started taking interest in the French League, thanks to the magician, Lionel Messi.
Happy new year, tribe family. I've been away for too long. Missed being here.
Cheers.
Gingered Up! ❣️