It has become somewhat of a cliche to talk about Ronaldo's obsession with goals and silverware, and his incredible, second-to-none work ethic, but these personality traits are massively important when analysing where he would go if he does, in fact, leave Juventus at the end of the season.
Reports in Italy and broader Europe suggest that his time at the Bianconeri might be over soon due to his unwillingness to extend his current deal beyond 2022. Therefore, in order to recoup some of the €100 million (R1.8 billion) they spent on him in 2018, Juve are said to be open to selling him next year.
Of course, these are just rumours for now, but it is something interesting to ponder on. If he did go, who could afford him? Also, and I believe this question is even more key, would those teams be able to offer him a chance to continue competing at the highest possible level?
For instance, his former club Manchester United can pay both a big transfer fee and his weekly wages, but they aren't a club, at least not right now, competing for major trophies. That's not to say he couldn't influence them to do so, but a 36-year-old Ronaldo is likely to want to join a team that is set up for success, much like he did when he signed for Juventus.
It was a club that: a) guaranteed he would challenge for and win trophies; and b) was set up to compete in the UEFA Champions League. They were a team he could help push over the line. Unfortunately for Juve, it hasn't quite worked out that way in terms of their stature in Europe, but the record books will show Ronaldo went there, scored a lot of goals and won silverware.
So, who could that next club be then? My dull and probably predictable conclusion is Paris Saint-Germain. Not only is the French side's president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, a huge fan of Ronaldo's work, but PSG is a club that, like Juventus, gives him the opportunity to score goals and pick up trophies. And please don't think I am using this as a dig at Ronaldo. There is a saying: when somebody shows you who they are, believe them.
Over the years, Ronaldo has repeatedly talked about his status in world football, he has often spoken about himself as the greatest player of all time. He's spent his entire career trying to prove that, and you know what would strengthen his argument? Being the most decorated footballer in history and retiring with more goals than Lionel Messi. He is currently on 30 career trophies, 11 away from the record, and is ahead of Messi by 34 career goals.
In France, the Portugal talisman would have the chance to add 30+ goals a season to his career tally while picking up trophies, and relatively comfortably too. Ligue 1 isn't a "farmer's league" like people on Twitter say, but PSG is stronger, and by a long way, than any other single opponent in the country. Neymar has been there for three years, has suffered three lengthy injuries, and has added eight trophies to his cabinet. Dani Alves averaged a trophy every 12.1 games at the club.
Ronaldo is going to be 36 years old next year, but his career has been built on proving his doubters wrong. His "me versus the world" attitude as aided him in becoming one of the sport's best players of all time, and while we might already consider him as that, he will want to make damn sure we do.
