From Manchester to Madrid, Cristiano moves on

Justin Thrift
Opinion

Manchester United confirmed today that they have permitted Real Madrid to begin business with Cristiano Ronaldo and that a estimated sum of ₤80 is expected to be shed on the winger from Portugal who was the 2009 European and Premier League player of the year.

And it’s about time.

Ronaldo, who has the mind of a 15-year school girl and the sensitivity of an upper class prepster from the Hamptons, has grown into being one of the most overrated footballers in Europe during his time with Manchester United. His flashy moves and desperate facial expressions dominate most of his time spent on the field and many English fans have come to associate Ronaldo with his impressive acting skills more so than his football ones. With his endless dives and empty candy-coated dribbling tricks, it’s no surprise that this crybaby Nancy boy didn’t land in Hollywood along with the likes of David Beckham and Manny Ramirez. Goodness, what shallow company.

This move for Ronaldo also proves that he is one of the biggest sellouts to prance around the European leagues in search of more cash and fame. How else can you justify leaving Manchester United, arguable the best club in the world, for a lesser team (Real Madrid) in a lesser league (La Liga) for much more money? It’s not a surprising move for Ronaldo, but it still renders a sickening reality of the European game and the money that dominates its existence and championships.

This move will ultimately prove to be a happy one for England fans, who have no doubt developed a mutual disliking with the winger since his infamous sabotage of the English team in the 2006 World Cup. In a knock-out game between England and Portugal deep in the competition, Ronaldo made a vicious dive on the English striker (and fellow Man Utd. teammate) Wayne Rooney that would lead to Rooney’s early exit and England’s subsequent loss in overtime to the Portuguese team. Ronaldo was heavily ridiculed after his display of poor sportsmanship and classless play – ridicule that would only help expose Ronaldo for the sketchy player he really is.

It amazes me how this player still manages to garner so much respect and admiration from football fans around the world; his play is artificial and designed, his style is forced. I watch Ronaldo play and I fail to see the class of Kaka or the passion of Beckham. He falls to his knees easier than a man proposing to his girlfriend and he spends more time on the ground whining than any player I’ve ever seen. He’s arrogant and overly slick, flashy for the sake of the camera and desperate to be in the limelight at all times. I watch him approach defender after defender with the ball rolling at his feet as he jumps over it frantically from side to side and I wonder, “how can this style can be considered legendary?” It’s simply an act, a mere illusion.

Bottom line, I couldn’t be happier for the Premier League to see Cristiano Ronaldo exit England. Good riddance Cristiano, see you in South Africa next summer when England drives for World Cup glory.