'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It is the news that Real Madrid fans would not like to hear. Club legend, Cristiano Ronaldo is angling towards a move away from the club this summer. After spending 9 successful years at the Santiago Bernabeu and helping the La Liga giants to win a lot of prizes including 4 UEFA Champions League titles, the Portuguese feels it is time for him to take on another challenge elsewhere.
Also read: Doesn't matter what the question is, Cristiano Ronaldo is the answer
While a lot of clubs are interested in signing him, it is Italian champions Juventus, that are currently leading the race to lure him out of the La Liga. In fact, according to Goal, the attacker has reportedly agreed on a four-year contract with the Old Ladies, worth €30 million in wages.
It is true that the Spanish giants will not be happy with the prospect of losing their best superstar, but there is very little they can do at the moment as the player himself has recently dropped comments that suggest he has made up his mind to quit.
Ronaldo's departure would be a big blow to Real Madrid, considering the influence of the winger at the Santiago Bernabeu. Therefore, let's look at 5 negative effects his exit might have on the Los Blancos:
#5 Madrid could lose their fear factor
Cristiano Ronaldo is not just one of the finest players in the world at the moment, but also one of the greatest superstars to ever kick a ball. He says it, he proves it, the world has never witnessed a player that is as complete as the Portuguese superstar. He has all the physical attributes of a footballer. He can shoot with both legs, score with his head and destroy opposition defences all by himself.
The winger has been tormenting a lot of teams in Europe for the past few years and everyone is wary of him. When he is not scoring, his presence on the pitch is enough to inspire his team to glory. This makes him one of the most feared superstars on the planet.
His departure could come as a nightmare to Real Madrid as the Los Blancos could end up losing their fear-factor. With Ronaldo on the pitch, no one dares Real Madrid, but without him, it is a totally different case.
#4 There could be a crisis at the club
Whether we like it or not, we must face reality. According to the reports, Cristiano Ronaldo's switch to Juventus is just a matter of time. In fact, the attacker is so determined that he snubbed a lucrative offer to join the Chinese Super League recently.
While the Seria A would be rejoicing if the Portuguese eventually completes the so-much anticipated move, it should not be forgotten that the situation at Real Madrid would be a totally different one.
Considering the recent developments at the Santiago Bernabeu, Ronaldo's departure could mark the beginning of a crisis in the Spanish Capital. Club President, Florentino Perez and his board would need to answer hot questions if the attacker finally exits.
#3 Difficulties in finding a replacement
Yes. Ronaldo's departure could fetch Real Madrid a lot of cash to spend in the transfer market. However, they would find it very difficult to find a replacement for the attacker. For all he has done at the club, the Portuguese is truly irreplaceable, and that is an obvious fact that everyone must accept.
They have been linked with a lot of names recently, including PSG's Neymar Junior, Chelsea's Eden Hazard and French wonderkid, Kylian Mbappe. But, while all these players are all highly talented, no one falls in the same category with the incredible winger and it would require mammoth fees to lure them from their respective clubs.
Therefore, Real Madrid could find themselves in a difficult situation when Ronaldo departs, similar to what Barcelona experienced when Neymar left for Paris Saint Germain during the previous summer.
#2 Real Madrid could lose some of their followers
With over 120 million fans on Facebook, over 70 million on Twitter and about 134 million fans on Instagram, Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most-followed athletes in the world. (the most followed in football).
Real Madrid have always benefited hugely from Ronaldo's fame, with a lot of football enthusiasts joining the Los Blancos' fanbase mainly because of their love for the winger. In fact, a lot of soccer fans from the four angles of the world travel to the Santiago Bernabeu weekly just to catch a glimpse of their amazing idol.
The Spanish giants could lose most of these followers if the attacker finally departs the club this summer. It should not be a surprise to see the capital club losing some of their fans to Juventus if the Portuguese ends up completing a switch to the Seria A.
#1 The Los Blancos could lose their Champions League dominance
It must be acknowledged that Real Madrid have been the most successful club in the Champions League ever since the competition began. However, Cristiano Ronaldo deserves a lot of respect for what he has done at the club in the last five years.
The Los Blancos became the first side in history to win the Champions League for three consecutive years and they owe a huge part of that achievement to their Portuguese maestro, who guided them to another era of European dominance.
Ronaldo spearheaded Madrid's quest to dominate the continent, becoming the all-time scorer of the competition with 120 goals as well as finishing as the top scorer of the tournament for 6 consecutive years. He also delivered 4 Champions League trophies during his 9 years at the club and will always be recognized as one of the greatest players to represent the Spanish giants.
Without doubts, Ronaldo's departure would reduce Real Madrid's strength in the Champions League (at least for the next few seasons) as they usually rode on his brilliance to succeed in the tournament. Moving to Juventus, a strong team in the competition would also be a big blow to the Los Blancos.
