In a few weeks, the eternal rivals Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will probably face each other again on the pitch. The occasion is a friendly that Paris St. Germain will play on January 19 against a selection of the best players from Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal. So it won’t be much more than an exhibition match when two of the best footballers of the last decades meet.
It’s indicative of the recent trajectory of Ronaldo’s great career and it’s kind of a shame that CR7 has now chosen this path for itself. There’s no question that he can really cash in again in Saudi Arabia. 100 million euros in earnest money, plus a salary that should be up to 200 million euros per year – including advertising revenue and image rights.
Why not fame instead of money?
But wouldn’t it have been much nicer and more appropriate to his career to find a different ending? Sporting Lisbon, for example, wanted the 37-year-old before the start of the season. Ronaldo had made his first steps as a professional at the club from Portugal’s capital. Sporting could not offer the superstar’s previous salary, but a suitable career end at a decent level.
And Ronaldo could have gotten something completely different than money there: the love of the fans, even more recognition and one or two highlight games in European competition. Because even if the World Cup was a mess for Ronaldo, last season he showed at Manchester United that he can still be a factor.
Only advertising figure for Saudi Arabia
Due to his high salary demands and the claim that he absolutely wants to play in the Champions League, the 196-time international has slammed many doors from the start. The end of the song is now a high-paying contract in the little-noticed Pro League.
If it’s against Messi or other top players in the future, it’ll only be to drum up advertising for Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid. That can hardly be reconciled with the incomparable ambition of the European champion. And it’s kind of a pity too.
