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Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi: Differentiating current myths, hype and reality (Part 1 of a 2-Part Series)

News eventually got out that Cristiano Ronaldo is very unhappy after hearing about Lionel Messi joining Paris Saint-Germain in a most warmly- and auspiciously-heralded manner with pomp almost befitting royalty and he couldn’t contain his envy.

36 years old and still lugging along his massive baggage of a repulsive ego when it comes to his eternal nemesis and rival Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo is apparently nursing negative sentiments that his chances of securing another Champions League trophy in the coming seasons will be realistically thwarted by the Argentinian’s joining Parisian juggernauts, PSG, this season.

The Portuguese striker has been strongly linked with a move away from Serie A before the end of the transfer window as it has been widely known for some time that the powers that be at the Old Lady would certainly not mind being rid of his extortionate wages, in view of the extenuating fact that he was brought in to help them secure top European honors but failed miserably in the last two seasons since joining with a deafening hurrah and winding down with a definitely noticeable whimper.

Recent news has been circulating about Ronaldo pouting and sulking like the pompous brat he is at the Old Lady and not even on speaking terms with his teammates and even coach Masimiliano Allegri due allegedly to the recent PSG-Messi development. Well, not that this comes as anything new to those not exactly enamored of CR7 and his self-aggrandizing demeanor all these years as they wouldn’t really be expecting him to just sit back good-naturedly and allow his nemesis Messi to enjoy all the limelight to himself.

A matter of days after the former Barcelona talisman completed his earth-shattering, well-deserved switch to the Parc des Princes, Ronaldo had already surfaced in the news amid reports that he too could be on the move soon. The Ronaldo rumors started grinding on Monday night with the 36-year-old linked to Manchester United, Real Madrid, PSG and even Manchester City.

With conflicting reports suddenly abuzz on where Ronaldo could end up. Italian publication Corriere dello Sport claim that his agent Jorge Mendes has offered him to Manchester City, after their unimpressive display at the Spurs stadium. However, as far as the Sky Blues and Pep Guardiola are concerned, Harry Kane remains the numero uno striker of choice, period and case closed.

Of course, over in Spain and as expected, El Chiringuito again backed him to make a sensational return to Real Madrid, joining his old mates Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale in Carlo Ancelotti’s attack like its ‘Hallelujah Deja Vu 2014!!!’ all over again.

In fact there were even strong rumors suddenly buzzing that venerable Italian boss Ancelloti was himself rooting for the Portuguese frontman to be back at the Los Blancos, allegedly long yearning for a reunion with his former striker. Unsurprisingly, Ancelotti himself has poured cold water on those links, though, saying he has “never considered signing him” in a firmly tweet posted on Tuesday. Furthermore, Los Blancos president and dictator Florentino Perez has also waded in on the issue and said he’s never approve Ronaldo’s return to the club.

And most sensationally of all, and coincidentally at about the same time, the grapevine suddenly goes ballistic with news that Ronaldo has been hotly-favored by PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi to join Messi and Neymar in an all-star frontline combining the three megastars to be the ultimate tour de force at the Parc des Princes, with Kylian Mbappe tipped to move to Real Madrid to become the new poster boy at the Madridistas super club. Of course in reality that prospect seems more likely to occur in 2022 though, when both Ronaldo and Mbappe’s existing contracts expire.

It’s a media circus, no less, with a maniacal puppet master behind the scenes manipulating the movements. After all, to those more concerned with self-inflation and self-promotion, the more hype created, the better. Better yet if you can get others to stir up the hype on your behalf to give it more credibility.

Although it all seems like an extravaganza specially staged with smoke, mirrorballs and lots of specially-placed mirrors for full tantalizing effects at this crucial juncture in the transfer window for one particular striker of renown, anything could still happen in the last minute in the quirky world of pro football where inflated egos and equally inflated commercial considerations are on the line.

Messi’s quicker than lightning move to Paris Saint-Germain is a clear reminder of how rapidly things can transition in football and further impact the course of a player’s career, especially a world-beating one with GOAT status. And in the case of whether an aspirant like Ronaldo stays or leaves, the reasons why Juventus would most definitely entertain offers for him this month with the Old (Fat?) Lady belting out her possible last song for him are pretty obvious.

Despite Juventus’ financial situation being nowhere near as dire as Barcelona’s, they aren’t exactly immune to the financially-devastating impacts of the pandemic either. Juventus’ only summer signing is Weston McKennie, the USA midfielder, after his loan move was made permanent, although they may well bring in Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli for around £30m.

Juventus, as with most clubs around Europe, are also not averse to tightening their belts and any opportunities to offload their biggest earner soonest possible would certainly help to positively balance the books.

He has, after all, not been able to justify his presence in the squad, unquestionably.