This is what I wrote on another blog a few days ago:
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"In defence of Cristiano Ronaldo:
Ronaldo is going nowhere over the next year or two. United will increase his salary and image rights as befits his status as the best player in the world. He and his advisors are entitled to ask themselves: why should Kaka (and probably soon Ronaldhino) be earning more than Ronaldo?
Just stand back a moment guys and evaluate Ronaldo’s phenomenal achievements last season. He was very important to United, particularly in a season when Rooney was out with 2 major injuries, Saha persistently unavailable and United without a central striker. In terms of last season, no Ronaldo, no double. Simple as that. He repaid United handsomely on the pitch, where it matters; not in warm empty words.
Ronaldo is getting better and better. He is yet to reach his peak. Watch him in the Euros (He was outstanding against Turkey). He is more influential in a game for his country than either Kaka is for Brazil or Messi is for Argentina. He is an all round threat: on the floor, in the air, creating chances, with his pace … you can go on. He is also a leader (handed the captain’s armband for Portugal), with an indefatigable spirit and massive self belief.
He is a very fit boy, with this extraordinary ability of avoiding serious injury. The boy has hardly missed a game for United or Portugal in 4 years. It is persistent injury (broken foot 3 times in 4 years) and his hot temper which has hindered Rooney’s development - not Ronaldo. With 10 men against Portugal, England were the better team. Had Rooney kept his studs off Carvalho’s nether regions, England might well have progressed. It was a pretty extraordinary reaction on the part of the great English support. Pillory David Beckham for being harshly sent off against Argentina in 1998; but attach no blame to Rooney for a lunatic lunge at Carvalho and instead attack Ronaldo.
United would be mad to flog Ronaldo for £70m at this stage of his career. With his ability to contribute to achievements on the field and with the visible and invisible earnings for the club on the back of this, Ronaldo is worth more than £70m to United over the next 2 seasons.
What we are now seeing with Ronaldo is what happened in American Sports years ago. Take Michael Jordan, for instance. Michael Jordan’s earnings in relation to his team-mates was in the stratosphere because of his image rights etc. Ronaldo is highly marketable and should get the best possible deals he can. You don’t get given anything in life, you have to fight for it.
United should play ball. United fans should grow up. The club will deem players to be surplus to requirements whenever it suits them. Players in their prime must maximise their earning potential. It’s not about loyalty; it’s about business, and whether the parties consider a continued relationship to be their best interests. For as long as that continues to be the case, club and players stay together; when it ceases to be the case, they part company. It’s a fact of life. Sentiment doesn’t come into it.
Players and clubs are in a commercial relationship. And in commerce, money talks. Loyalty is for the fans (unless you’re a local boy e.g., Giggs, Scholes, Gerrard, Raul, Puyol, Del Piero, Maldini, Totti etc). Players and clubs must look after their own interests. It is in United’s best interests to look after Ronaldo financially, for now".
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Now Fergie seems to be endorsing the approach I have long advocated - raise the boy's wages and give him improved image rights. After all, that's been what the boy's really hankering for, and he's got a case.
See:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1025584/Cough-Ronaldo-Ferguson-tells-board-Real-150-000-week-deal.html
David Gill and the United board would be idiots not to play ball with Ronaldo. Ronaldo is making a helluva lot of money for the club on the back of truly outstanding performances. He is a leader at the club. Midway through last season that how Tevez described, as "our leader". Many in that United squad look up to him. Other great players will want to come to United to play in the same team with Ronaldo.
The United board should increase the boy's pay packet, give him appropriate image rights and settle this nonsense; not once and for all (we'll have repeats each summer), but just for now will do.
