Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is one of the wealthiest and most ambitious football clubs in the world. The club has been investing heavily in its squad, aiming to become the dominant force in European football. However, despite their financial muscle and ambition, PSG did not pursue a transfer for Cristiano Ronaldo, the most successful and famous footballer in the world.
There could be several reasons why PSG did not pursue Ronaldo’s transfer. First and foremost is the financial aspect of the deal. Ronaldo has a salary worth €31 million per year, and his transfer fee would have been in the region of €100-150 million. PSG already has a high wage bill, with players like Neymar and Mbappe earning more than €30 million per year. Adding Ronaldo’s salary to that could have put a significant strain on the club’s finances, even with their Qatari owners’ deep pockets.
Secondly, Ronaldo’s transfer could have disrupted the balance of the team. PSG is a team that relies on its attacking trio of Neymar, Mbappe, and Di Maria to score goals. Adding Ronaldo to the mix would have meant that one of these players would have had to make way for him, which could have caused tension and disruption in the dressing room. Moreover, Ronaldo’s arrival would have meant that the team would have had to adapt to his playing style, which could have taken some time, and during that period, PSG’s performance could have suffered.
Thirdly, there are question marks about Ronaldo’s form and fitness. While he is still a world-class player, his performances in the last couple of seasons have not been at the same level as his peak years. At the age of 36, there are concerns about his ability to maintain his fitness and form over the next few years. PSG would have been wary of investing such a large amount of money in a player who might not be able to deliver the same level of performance over the next few seasons.
Finally, there is the question of whether Ronaldo would have been a good fit for PSG’s team culture. PSG is a team that has been built around a group of players who have grown together over the years, with Neymar and Mbappe being the star players. Ronaldo is a player who has always been the center of attention and has a reputation for being a prima donna. PSG’s team culture is all about teamwork and putting the team above individual players, and it is possible that Ronaldo’s arrival could have upset that balance.
In conclusion, there are several reasons why PSG did not pursue Ronaldo’s transfer. While he is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, his transfer would have been too expensive, disrupted the balance of the team, and raised questions about his form, fitness, and fit with the team culture. PSG is still a team that is well-positioned to win the Champions League and dominate European football, even without Ronaldo.
