Cristiano Ronaldo will not be leaving Santiago Bernabeu this summer but reports that he could leave Madrid after becoming increasingly frustrated in Spain must have concerned the Champions League winners.
Real president Florentino Perez admitted the Portuguese captain was “very angry” due to allegations aimed towards him of tax fraud.
The 4-time Ballon d’OR winner will answer the charges brought against him by prosecutors at Spain’s Hacienda tax authority in court July 31 – an annoying disruption in his pre-season plans.
He will join his teammates at Madrid on their tour of the United States at a later date but he retains the support of his colleagues.
“I have not spoken with Cristiano about this,” Marcelo said, per ESPN. “He knows that his teammates are with him to the death.
“When he arrives we will speak with him and see how he is.”
It’s interesting the Brazilian has spoken out about his situation, for the Los Blancos outgoings this summer have left him as the one player that the forward is still close to.
According to Spanish publication Marca, the departures of Portuguese duo Fabio Coentrao and Pepe, with James Rodriguez’s loan move to Bayern Munich, meant the former Manchester United man is left with just one close friend at the Santiago Bernabeu which is Marcelo.
It’s an awkward position to be in, and one that shouldn’t really concern Real supporters.
Let’s face it, Ronaldo has never come across as the sociable characters. And, alongside Real’s captain Sergio Ramos, he’s an important leader in the dressing room.
But at a time when he’s future is under such scrutiny, perhaps it would help if he had more teammates to confide in.
The Spanish publication report adds that the Portuguese man teammates are confident that Ronaldo will stay, with Real Madrid’s recent success an influential factor in his decision to put aside his off-the-field issues.
The concern arises from his admission that he feels on his own when he travel la to Valdebebas, the Champions League winner training base in Madrid.
But the departures Coentrao, Pepe and James shouldn’t really surprise the Portugal international.
Thankfully, Ronaldo has the sights of a fifth Ballon d’Or to comfort him.