Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been at each other’s throats since time immemorial. No, I’m not talking about disrespecting each other off the pitch. I’m only referring to the clear feud they have on it.
Over the last decade, they have helped each other reach new heights and become two of the greatest players of the modern era. They have always been on the opposite sides, the leaders of their respective teams.
Now, if reputed journalist Guillem Balague is to be believed, we could actually see the two play for the same team, guard the “holy” crest of Barcelona.
If you’re having a hard time processing the last bit, I’d like to point out that I’m also on the same boat. What’s more outlandish is that many respectable news agencies are putting their weight behind the claim and trying to make a quick buck.
Yes, seeing Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on the same team seems fantastic. But we, and the journalists, have to realise that this isn’t a FIFA game, and the sun still sets in the west.
Guillem Balague, who is a reputed journalist in his own right, claims that Juventus are so desperate to offload the 35-year-old that they have asked his agent, Jorge Mendes, to knock on every door possible, including the Camp Nou outfit.
Discussing Cristiano Ronaldo’s possible future, he told BBC Radio 5:
“The reason why Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked to PSG, it’s not so much that PSG are thinking of getting him.
“It’s because Jorge Mendes has been given instructions to actually find a team for Ronaldo. We have seen this in the last six months, he was linked to Real Madrid. Real Madrid said: ‘no chance! He’s not coming back’. There has been talks about MLS, etc. Because Juventus want to get rid of that wage.
“It’s as drastic as that. He’s been offered everywhere, including Barcelona. I’m not sure if they can get rid of him easily.”
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi together at Barcelona? No chance
Cristiano Ronaldo, 35, has already netted 65 goals for Juventus, helping them to two Serie A titles. However, the main objective — Champions League success — has eluded him at his new club.
The Portuguese, of course, has been the only consistent performer for the Bianconeri in Europe, but he couldn’t find it in himself to do all the heavy lifting.
It’s also true that Juventus have been severely damaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, but even that wouldn’t force them to send Cristiano Ronaldo to a club he’s hated — professionally, at least — for so long.
Barcelona, on the other hand, haven’t made a Champions League final appearance since 2015. Lionel Messi, of course, can decide a die in a matter of seconds, but he hasn’t really been reliable in the knockout stages.
Having Cristiano Ronaldo would give Barcelona an unfair advantage, as they’d have the creativity of Messi and the explosiveness of Ronaldo — a dream combo in any football simulator.
Then again, Barcelona are already having a hard time improving and renewing the contracts of many key players, and taking on a player like Cristiano Ronaldo — who’d demand to be the highest-paid player in the squad — would force the Catalan giants to part ways with some of their prized assets.
I believe it’s not something the Blaugrana would consider.
Cristiano Ronaldo also has a pretty decent relationship with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. And considering how much Ronaldo has already invested in the Spanish capital through business ventures, he’s unlikely to make an enemy out of Perez — who happens to be one of the most influential men in Spain.
So, to wrap it up, not only does the move seem ludicrous on paper, but it also makes no sense from any angle whatsoever. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could’ve been a dream pairing, of course, but the two players need to have the ring to themselves.
They can’t afford to play second fiddle. Their reputation won’t allow them to.
Barcelona, too, can’t even dream of landing a player of Ronaldo’s wages, especially considering how poor their finances are currently.
And finally, the man himself wouldn’t want to burn a highly profitable bridge to Real Madrid in the hope of a bigger paycheck. He’d rather pack up his bags and ask Jorge Mendes to take him home, get him back to his roots, to Sporting CP in Lisbon.
Also Read: Manchester United and Jadon Sancho: The anatomy of a transfer saga