Ronaldo Leaves With Ferguson Blessing

By Staff Writer | 1st July 2009

Ronaldo Leaves With Ferguson Blessing | read this item

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cristiano-ronaldo The most drawn-out transfer of the modern era will reach a natural conclusion this week when Cristiano Ronaldo officially begins life with Spanish football giants Real Madrid as the world’s most expensive footballer.

Almost 12 months after Spain’s capital club first made public their desire to sign the Portugal international, followed by claims and counter-claims, including a public fall-out involving Sir Alex Ferguson and an official complaint made to UEFA, Ronaldo is expected to don the famous white shirt for the first time at his unveiling on Wednesday.

A deal for £80m was finalised last Friday and the former Sporting Lisbon favorite will begin the next phase of his meteoric rise to superstardom imminently.

He will do so with the blessing of Ferguson, whose praise for the world player of the year is admirable given that he was loathe to lose his favorite son and fought so vehemently to keep him.

Ferguson’s infamous barb that he would never sell “that mob” a “virus” now seems hollow, but it was natural for him to protect his own in the face of public jousting by the Bernabeu giants. He has, after all, overseen Ronaldo’s progress from a spindly, one-trick pony to the most complete attacking midfielder of his generation.

Naturally, all good things come to an end and the cracks did surface towards the end of last season when shows of dissent from Ronaldo became commonplace. He also came under fire from sceptical sections of the Old Trafford faithful for a perceived lack of commitment when it appeared that Ferguson was catering to his ego.

United fans worth their salt will know Ronaldo gave good service during a successful six-year stint – but those who remember the pre-Ferguson era will also agree that no one player is bigger than the club itself.

To maximize a profit on Ronaldo now makes complete sense, and United fans will find another hero to worship – at least if Ferguson can conjure up perhaps one final trick.

Nick Walsh writes features and football betting previews for Betfair.