12/21/24
June 11, 2009
Real bites again: A week shy of six years since parting company with David Beckham, and six months after Sir Alex told the press 'I wouldn't sell that mob a virus', Manchester Utd have accepted Real Madrid's £80m offer for Cristiano Ronaldo. Let the speculation about the club's finances and post-mortems on C-Ron's time at Old Trafford commence.
However the Guardian podcast folks will be absolutely delighted to see him go. I wonder if the news came through in time for them to talk about it today?
posted by Mr Bismarck at 08:18 AM on June 11, 2009
I bet he's pissed off that Kaka is earning more than him.
Probably.
/Has no idea what C. Ronaldo really thinks.
posted by owlhouse at 08:21 AM on June 11, 2009
Is Madrid printing it's own money?
That said, I can't say that I'm sad to see him off to Spain.
posted by trox at 10:09 AM on June 11, 2009
This will make EPL fantasy football a bit more interesting.
posted by holden at 10:24 AM on June 11, 2009
United goofed. They should have sold him last year- pre credit crunch. And Ronaldo would have had a full season in the spotlight in Madrid. Now he has to share it with Ricky Kaka.
posted by The_Special_Juan at 11:31 AM on June 11, 2009
And why is Ronaldo is L.A. today?
posted by The_Special_Juan at 12:14 PM on June 11, 2009
in LA.
posted by The_Special_Juan at 12:14 PM on June 11, 2009
With the rumor mill saying that Real will bring one more star attacker, David Silva, into the squad, my question is if Perez has secretly petitioned FIFA to have two soccer balls on the field for their games. Seriously, if Silva joins and van Nistlerooy is healthy again, how will they line up?
Here's my proposed starting XI:
Silva -- Van Nistlerooy
Robben -- Kaka -- Lassana Diarra -- CRonaldo
Marcelo -- Cannavaro -- HAVE TO BUY -- Ramos
Casillas
Subs: Dudek, Heinze, Salgado, Drenthe, Gago, Higuain, Raul
Likely to be sold: Pepe (if any will buy), Sneidjer, Huntelaar, Saviola (before he gets too old to have sale value)
Where do Real Madrid get all this money?
posted by billsaysthis at 12:38 PM on June 11, 2009
"Where do Real Madrid get all this money?"
And when that doesn't work, the local government just hand them $400m.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 12:51 PM on June 11, 2009
I wonder if the news came through in time for them to talk about it today?
It did.
posted by yerfatma at 02:52 PM on June 11, 2009
Interesting stuff too - when Fergie said he wouldn't sell Real a virus, the deal was possibly already done.
Though I prefer Barry Glendenning's interjection; "[Fergie said he] would not sell them a virus, which is exactly what he's done."
posted by Mr Bismarck at 04:01 PM on June 11, 2009
@billsaysthis:
Central defence - no love for big Gabby Heinze? :-)
And only one midfielder that knows how to tackle?
posted by owlhouse at 08:02 PM on June 11, 2009
I see Heinze as a fullback, but that's just me--I've never seen him play in the middle in the limited times I've seen him at RM or MU.
As for the middle, heck, I do not see how they can play more than Lass with defensive capabilities, not if they buy Silva. If they don't buy him, then maybe CR7 can start up top. Otherwise how do you keep Robben, Higuain and Raul on the pine, and that's assuming Sneidjer is sold, and that still leaves van der Vaart twiddling his thumbs.
posted by billsaysthis at 12:31 AM on June 12, 2009
As a Liverpool fan, glad to see him go. Don't understand how Man U will be able to replace him though. Ribery isn't quite as good. Not a bad option mind you, but you cannot replace the reigning footballer of the year with just any body.
Not to mention their other winger, Giggs hasn't got tons of play left in him.
posted by Ricardo at 01:42 AM on June 12, 2009
The 24 year old's transfer fee dwarfs that of his would be teammate, Kaka, who left Milan for Madrid on a (then) record 56 Million transfer earlier this week. Guardian argues the world class Portuguese international is irreplaceable, world class ego and all.