Real Madrid 0-1 Villarreal: 5 Talking Points

#3 Should Real Madrid sell Cristiano Ronaldo?

It sounds like heresy, but hear me out.

Cristiano Ronaldo deserves loyalty - he's been the backbone of Real Madrid's success over the last decade. However, Real Madrid are a club where winning matters - sentimentality does not.

Ronaldo is experiencing the beginning of his downfall - but his drop has been precipitous, not the gradual decline that many expected. The Portuguese star has the worst conversion rate in La Liga among players who have scored more than 3 goals, and it is not even close.

Shot after aimless shot emerged from Ronaldo's boot tonight, and Madrid look for him at every turn, often ignoring Gareth Bale, who is in much better form. Letting Ronaldo go could allow a refresh in attacking style of play.

28 - @realmadriden have attempted 28 total shots vs Villarreal, more than any other side in a single league game this season (seven shots on target). Aim pic.twitter.com/kxkH7U6rm9
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 13, 2018

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However, Ronaldo still can command a huge fee in this transfer market, and clubs in the Premier League/Ligue 1 who can pay in excess of €150 million are in the market for superstar quality.

Strike while the iron is hot and all that - because Ronaldo isn't going to break the €100 million barrier next season.