LaLiga: Where could Cristiano Ronaldo go if he left Real Madrid?

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most iconic names in the history of football. As such, there aren’t many individual records he doesn’t hold. His rise in football is due to his obsessive need to be the best at everything he does. For Cristiano, he has no peers, he is a one off, a freak of nature. One day we’ll look back and realise how wrong we were to skip past some of his achievements because he was around at the same time as Lionel Messi. The day he retires, football will be worse off.

However it feels the last 12 months has been dominated by far too many off the field headlines. These have mainly come when his on the field performances have come under fire. A classic method of diverting attention away from what’s he doing wrong. Like a child who broke a lamp, arguing with his parents this his younger brother didn’t do his homework and that was a greater crime.

READ MORE: Zidane’s advice for Ronaldo amid exit talk

The latest reports of turmoil in Spain is about Cristiano’s apparent unhappiness with Florentino Perez. According to an article in ‘El Confidencial’, the relationship between the two is at an all-time low. Cristiano feels that promises made to him aren’t being honoured. For Perez, he refuses to improve the player’s current deal because he isn’t performing on the pitch. Who will blink first?

This fallout shows no sign of going away any time soon. Cristiano has apparently told his teammates about a potential move in the summer. His first choice is Manchester United where he is still revered as a hero. Perez, in response, won’t entertain the idea of losing Cristiano unless it’s on his terms.

This means there won’t be a gentleman’s agreement to allow Cristiano to leave on the cheap. It will need to be an offer which satisfies the club, but at the same time, is a change in stance from the previous ‘he isn’t for sale at any price’ mantra.

So where could Cristiano end up? The options available to him are extremely limited, as few clubs could afford his likely €100m asking price. And even some that could would find his mouth-watering wage demands difficult to justify, even with his marketing potential.

THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United

Cristiano would love a return to Old Trafford. I don’t think there’s any doubt that this is true due to the strong connection he still has with the club’s fans. It was where he announced himself onto the world stage, winning everything that was available to him, before he made the switch to Spain. The Premier League is still the most popular league in the world but it lacks genuine superstars. Cristiano’s arrival, or rather return, would change that.

However there are more than a few obstacles in the way of this happening. Jose Mourinho and Cristiano aren’t the best of friends. The two clashed at Real Madrid on more than one occasion but both are smart enough to put that aside for the greater good. If Alexis Sanchez joins, alongside Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, it doesn’t leave much room for Cristiano. And if you’re paying €100m+, you need him to start every week.

The potential fee and wages wouldn’t be an issue for a club the size of United. But unlike Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who made an initial impact but is now deemed surplus to requirements, Cristiano would want a long-term deal. He believes he can remain at the top until he’s in his 40s. You need to believe that too for the situation to work.

Having someone like Cristiano also means player power becomes an issue and could cause Mourinho and him to lock horns once again. Is he worth the gamble right now or could that money be better used elsewhere?

Manchester City

Much like their neighbours, they could easily afford to pay the asking price and match his wages. Although, as we’re seeing the Sanchez deal, Pep Guardiola doesn’t want to upset the harmony at the club. Cristiano would demand to be the highest earner and that could have a negative impact.

While we know Pep is an admirer of Cristiano’s, it’s hard to see where he would fit in. There are certain standards the Spanish coach demands and I’m not sure Cristiano could achieve those. The team can’t afford to carry anyone, or let a striker just sit and wait to receive the ball. It would require an entire reworking of the way Cristiano plays and, at this stage of his career, he’d be unwilling to make those kind of sacrifices.

Chelsea

A wildcard option could be a move to Chelsea. With speculation surrounding the future of Eden Hazard, could the addition of Cristiano lessen the damage of the Belgian’s potential exit? In terms of the current system he could be a like-for-like replacement, remaining in his central role and playing just off the main striker.

As for wages there’s enough leeway to justify Cristiano’s high demands. Chelsea have done a fantastic job of reducing their wage bill in recent years. Maybe their plan all along was to allow room to add an established superstar? But with Antonio Conte having offers to leave it would need to be an Abramovich signing. We know he isn’t afraid to take charge if he feels it is necessary.

It’s hard to envisage both Hazard and Cristiano in the same side so it would ultimately mean losing the former. Is he worth letting go if it gives you the opportunity to sign one of the best players of all-time? Or rather, do you think Chelsea have a better chance of catching City with Cristiano or with Hazard?

LIGUE 1

Paris Saint Germain

We all know that Cristiano is deeply admired by those in Paris. For the past few years it’s been them who were strongly linked with a move for the Portuguese hitman. Last summer saw PSG add Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, both for huge sums. Does this mean that Cristiano is off their list of desirable options or would they break the bank again if they knew he was available?

The concern for PSG fans must be keeping in line with FFP regulations. They are already under the spotlight and signing Cristiano would only attract more attention. The squad would need some major changes in order to avoid any potential sanctions. Would such disruption be worth it, considering their aim is lifting the Champions League? There’s no doubt Cristiano would help them in achieving that, but at what cost?

PSG are a tough team to predict. No one saw Mbappe joining after the Neymar deal but it happened. To fit in a player of Cristiano’s demands would force them into selling a lot of squad members. Could they shock the world yet again? And if they had Cristiano, Mbappe and Neymar leading the line would it make them an even greater threat to Europe’s other top sides?

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich

The German giants don’t tend to splash the cash all that often any more. Due to the overwhelming stranglehold they possess on their domestic league, it’s almost become too easy for Bayern to rule at the top. They constantly pick up star players from their rivals on free transfers as there’s no reason for them to rush. With or without those additions, they will win the Bundesliga. It’s a different story in Europe though.

The signing of Cristiano would add an X Factor their current side is lacking. It’d be a chance to reunite James Rodriguez with his former teammate as well. When does domestic success become stale? It’s a similar situation for PSG. Fans demand more than just winning the league, they want to become a force in Europe. To do that, you need to add big names from European rivals. Cristiano ticks that box.

Former Bayern manager Ottmar Hitzfeld loves the idea of the move but believes it would ultimately cause too much disruption. “For the fans it would be a Christmas present to sign Cristiano Ronaldo but it is a utopian scenario. He would break the salary structure and Bayern would then have financial issues with the other players. And then the agents would use the situation to get more for their clients.”

LALIGA

Barcelona

Now we all know this one simply won’t happen. It would be the ultimate slap in the face to Florentino Perez but there’s no way the Real Madrid chief would allow it. Although, deep down, we’re probably all curious to see how Cristiano and Messi would co-exist in the same team.

Not only would Real Madrid veto the move, it’s hard to see how Barcelona could afford his wages either. They’ve spent over €300m on two players in the last six months and you must believe there’s little-to-no wriggle room when it comes to their remaining budget.

There’s nothing to suggest Cristiano would want a move there either. If parity with Messi is what he’s after, Barcelona are the one club which would never do that. It’d mean that he would need to accept being second in command to Leo. It doesn’t fit in with his mindset and it’d only cause problems.

CHINA OR THE USA

The other option for Cristiano would be a move out of Europe to either China or the US. It would immediately end any debate about him being the current best player in the world as both countries’ leagues are way below the standard of LaLiga.

For the Chinese Super League, it would represent a huge chance to sign a massive name in football. They have some good players within their ranks but Cristiano would be the first elite name to join the league. However new tax bills means any potential €100m signing would end up costing them closer to €200m. Is that justifiable?

And then there’s the MLS. Los Angeles FC are the new team on the block and have money to burn. We can’t ignore David Beckham’s Miami side too but they won’t be ready until 2019 at the earliest. Enticing Cristiano to ditch Europe and become an even bigger icon stateside would take some sales pitch though.

Most of the speculation linking Cristiano with a move to America was before he penned a new deal. It’s hard to see how an MLS side, even a rich one, could afford the €100m asking price but it would be a huge statement of intent.

But as we go back to Cristiano’s desire to be the best, moving to either of these leagues would rule him out of that debate. I’m not sure he’s ready to give up the fight just yet.