Cristiano Ronaldo; in December he will
almost certainly be crowned as the best player on the planet. He is
United’s most important, talented and influential player.
Last season he scored 42 goals in all competitions. He was the
Champions League top scorer, the Premiership’s top scorer and was voted
PFA player’s player of the year.
News reports this week are suggesting he is going to be rewarded with a 25% pay increase.
Fair enough you might think, but, after his summer long pursuit of a transfer, does he deserve a new contract?
Admittedly,
if I was at work and was quite clearly the best in the office,
regularly producing work of a higher standard than anyone else, I
might think I deserve a nice little pay rise. Unfortunately, I don’t do
that so a pay rise out of the question.
Anyway, back to Ronaldo. Apparently, the slave is currently earning
a mere £120000 per week. In the current credit crunch climate, I
understand it must be tough for him to cope with increasing food prices
and higher utility bills and an extra £30000 per week might just help
him keep the bailiffs from the door.
Despite his achievements over the last 2 years and his awesome
talent, the question with Ronaldo and a new contract should not so much
be based on achievement and talent, but more on attitude, morality and
commitment.
After the World Cup in 2006 Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford with
his controversial involvement in Rooney’s sending off still dominating
the sports pages. As with David Beckham 8 years earlier, United’s staff
and fans supported him fervently. He was welcomed back by a protective
and adoring crowd.
With the support of the fans and everyone at United, Ronaldo
produced an incredible two seasons. The loyalty, support and respect he
was afforded have since not been reciprocated by Ronaldo. After
claiming to be a slave and doing everything he could, short of handing
in a transfer request, to secure a move to Madrid should the money from
merchandising and tickets coming from fans pockets really be spent
lining the greedy pockets of Ronaldo?
Should fans that have shown their idol support and affection and
spent their hard earned money watching him really have to accept
Ronaldo being offered such a massive pay rise? His contempt for United
and his pursuit to leave looks like it will land him an extra £1.5
million per year.
Where will this come from; increased season ticket prices again next
year? Maybe on top of the automatic cup scheme it might be essential to
pay for two testimonials per year from now on? Sooner or later, Ronaldo
will end up at Madrid and I am sure his ego will fit nicely at the
Bernabeu. In the meantime, should he really be rewarded financially in
an attempt to persuade him to do United a favour and stay for another
few years?
Does the ‘winker’ actually deserve a new deal? As hard as it may be
to replace Ronaldo, the transfer saga this summer left a bitter taste
in United fans mouths. Financially rewarding a player after his
apparent lack of loyalty might not go down at Old Trafford quite as
easily as Ronaldo does………………..
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