Real Madrid are reportedly plotting a sensational return to the Bernabeu for Manchester United megastar Cristiano Ronaldo in the January transfer window.
The Portuguese international, 36, made a fairytale return to Old Trafford in the summer after Man United beat cross-town rivals Manchester City to his signature at the eleventh hour. He is the Red Devils’ top scorer with 12 goals in 17 appearances across all competitions this season, including six in the Premier League.
However, there is a belief that the 36-year-old veteran goalscorer is not suited to new interim boss Ralf Rangnick’s high-intensity, aggressive and counter-pressing style of football. This has alerted Real Madrid, who are monitoring Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of a possible swoop in the winter window, reports Football Insider.
Ronaldo spent nine glittering years with Real Madrid, where he won 15 major honours, including four Champions Leagues trophies and two La Liga titles while netting a jaw-dropping 450 goals from 438 competitive matches. Following his return to Manchester United, the Portuguese has already chipped in with crucial goals in the Champions League and helped them qualify to the knockout rounds.
Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid—Does the move make any sense?
Real Madrid hold an eight-point lead at the top of the La Liga standings and are keen on wrestling back the league title from their neighbours Atletico Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti is slowly getting to grips over the squad after returning to Santiago Bernabeu in the summer.
Under Ancelotti, Real has scored 37 goals in 16 games, with the likes of Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr., Marco Asensio and Rodrygo Goes linking extremely well up front. The young players have thrived in the Italian tactician’s management, especially Vinicius Jr., whose status in the first-team has been elevated this term.
Even if the likes of Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale and Luka Jovic haven’t contributed immensely to the Los Blancos’ attack, Ancelotti must continue backing them and avoid going for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo is arguably one of the greatest player to ever grace the game and is still going strong at the ripe age of 36. He enjoyed unparalleled success at Real Madrid, both at the club and individual level, earning the nickname ‘Mr. Champions League’. The Portuguese, by a country mile, is the all-time top goalscorer in the elite European competition’s glamorous history as well.
The 36-year-old’s return to Santiago Bernabeu would be a stuff of dreams for Real fans, and while he would be a fantastic addition to most elite sides in Europe, it is a move that doesn’t make sense. Ancelotti has a mix of talented and experienced attackers at his disposal, and with young guns such as Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo thriving, he would not want to hinder their development and disrupt his current system by signing Ronaldo. If Real do need a new signing, it should be in the defensive unit.
Even if Real get any encouragement from Ronaldo’s camp over a deal that can be done next month, they must stay away from him and invest the money in young talents with the potential to develop.