Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Manchester United to join long time rival Lionel Messi at PSG
According to the Catalan news publication El Nacional (h/t ESPN), Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Manchester United and join his long time rival Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain. It could be a potential scenario if Kylian Mbappe does not renew his contract with PSG.
Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford this summer after 12 long years, which saw him ply his trade at Real Madrid and Juventus. Man United paid €15m plus €8m in bonuses to Juve for his services after links to city rivals Manchester City had emerged. He has made 17 appearances this season and has scored 12 goals while assisting two times in the process.
The 36-year-old has already saved the Red Devils multiple times this season, most recently against Arsenal in the Premier League. He scored two decisive goals in his team’s 3-2 win over the Gunners, having given them the lead both times, including the eventual winner.
The Portuguese international’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has now offered his client’s services to the French giants in hopes of seeing him join Lionel Messi at the French capital. He is to be a potential replacement for Mbappe, who will see his contract expire at the end of the season. The latter could end up joining Real Madrid as a free agent next summer.
There have been no signs of negotiations over an extension for the Frenchman, and that could prompt the Ligue 1 club to consider the offer for the Portuguese. Should this happen, it would be one of the most audacious transfers in football history.
Viable?
Having said that, it remains to be seen if Ronaldo is himself willing to quit United once again, especially so soon after signing for us this summer. The Portuguese striker is always up for a challenge and it’s not like he is failing to live up to expectations in the Premier League.
Messi and Ronaldo have never played together for the same football club in their entire careers and have an unspoken rivalry in the sport. Whether a move that unites them under the same badge actually goes through is something only time can tell.
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The challenge at Manchester United, with all due respect to PSG, is greater than that at Parc des Princes. Viewers of the two leagues know how difficult it has been for United to succeed after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, while PSG have been dominant domestically.
Messi may have taken the step to leave Barcelona for Paris, but if Ronaldo stays at Old Trafford for a little longer and ends our Premier League drought before he leaves, his place in Manchester United history and footballing history would be cemented to a far greater extent.
Moreover, such news should always be taken with a pinch of salt. Unless there is something coming from the player, his entourage, or the club themselves, we should not try to read too deep into it.
