According to an interview with GQ magazine, Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he could move to the United States of America and play for a team in Major Soccer League (MLS). This is in direct contradiction with what he said back in November.
When questioned about the prospect of moving to the US, the Portuguese international said: “Maybe in the future will be a good chance for me to play there [in America].”
He then went on to say that football in the US had improved over the years and now seemed like a possible destination once his career in Europe came to an end. “You never know, but it's something interesting. I consider it, of course, because as I've said, soccer there has become better and better.
“I think that this is maybe going to be possible.”
Ronaldo had said he wouldn’t finish his career in MLS last year
On another interview last year, Ronaldo had said that he wanted to finish his career with dignity and not move to a league outside Europe where footballers generally move to retire after collecting a fat paycheck.
“In my mind I want to finish in the top level, I want to finish with dignity so in a good club,” Ronaldo had said.
“It doesn't mean that to go USA or Qatar or Dubai is not good but I don't see myself [going there].”
Rumours suggest Florentino Perez is ‘fed up’ with Ronaldo
According to various reports in the media, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is said to be unsatisfied with Ronaldo this season. The 30-year-old has only been turning up against minnows this season and now Perez is believed to be miffed with Ronaldo’s decision to vote for sacked boss Carlo Ancelotti for Coach of the Year.
Ancelotti was sacked last summer and replaced with Rafa Benitez – a move that did not go down well with Ronaldo. Perez is also reportedly unhappy with Ronaldo’s frequent trips out of the country and interviews where the Portuguese forward said he was open to leaving the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid were hit with a transfer ban along with derby rivals Atletico Madrid and the FIFA sanctions prevent them from signing players this summer and the next January transfer window. But it does not stop them from selling and releasing the players currently with the club.
Perez has high ambitions of bringing Barcelona star Neymar to the Bernabeu even though the Brazilian is happy at the Camp Nou, as are his employers. But if Madrid lose any appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Perez’s hands will be tied and he would be expected to keep his current squad happy at least until the summer of 2017.
