Wesley Sneijder has questioned the wisdom of Real Madrid signing Cristiano Ronaldo because of the effect his wages would have on the squad.
The Dutch playmaker is well aware that the Manchester United winger's ability could help Real, but fears his arrival may cause rifts within the dressing room.
While separating himself from any financial envy, Sneijder believes that some members of the Spanish champions' squad would not be happy earning less than the Portuguese star.
"The truth is that could happen a bit. It would be bad for the squad if one player had a much higher salary than the rest," he said in an extensive interview with AS.
"It would not matter to me, but I know that there are other players that would not like that.
"But I do not want to say much because every day there is different news. Cristiano is a great player with incredible quality and if he joins Madrid then he will be welcomed.
"We cannot comment on it now because to speak highly of him would be slightly disrespectful to the players that are already here and have shown their class.
"There are already similar players to him here, like (Arjen) Robben and Robinho. It is clear that he would be a useful acquisition, but also maintaining the stability within the squad is important.
"I do not think that Madrid need to sign anyone. In the final games of last season we were very solid and the team showed it has grown a lot. Maybe the only thing we do need is to sign a forward.
"This squad is strong and next term we will become even better. But I suppose that if you bring in a player with great quality it could be good for the team."
Sneijder is also keen to see Robinho remain at the club and believes that there is not much difference between the Brazilian and Ronaldo.
He added: "I want Robinho to stay with Madrid because I think that he is almost the same as Cristiano Ronaldo.
"People criticise him a bit and say he does not play well in big games, but I have seen Ronaldo disappear in some of Manchester United's big games.
"I am not criticising because I just want to point out that a player cannot be at the same level all year round."
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Comment 2 - 21 of 21
man Utd must think of it like this:How much could they lose by keeping him what if he got badly injured and never recoverd to be a 40 goal a season player?
Ronaldo is like Lewis Hamilton he's young he's up there and if he can get it why shouldn't he get it?
it's like seeing a pornstar and a middle aged woman with a small pair at the bar what are you going for?
Ronnie say Ronnie go. Fergie say Ronnie stay. Ronnie go, Ronnie stay, all too much anyway. If Ronnie go Ronnie play. If Ronnie stay Ronnie decay. Anyway, Ronnie like to play away!
Ronnie say Ronnie go. Fergie say Ronnie stay. Ronnie go, Ronnie stay, all too much anyway. If Ronnie go Ronnie play. If Ronnie stay Ronnie decay. Anyway, Ronnie like to play away!
ITS GOOD TO REALISE A CHILDHOOD DREAM,BUT IS STUPID FOR RONALDO TO LEAVE MAN U ESPECIALLY FOR R.MADRID.THERE IS SO MANY PAST EXAMPLES FOR HIM TO SEE.HE IS GOING TO BE THE NEXT BECKHAM AND ACHIEVE NOTHING THERE.
We cannot talk about Ronaldo being a true leader at this point in time. He is still young and i strongly believe having played alongside "The instigator"(Ryan Giggs)and "the dynamo"(Scholesy) he can now think of being a leader. Truly speaking the boy has unbelievable feets, and i see him playing in Qatar or MLS should he move on to Real. Manchester united is a great team. 1) how many teams still use 5 or more players from their development..ANSWER one(only manchester United). 2) which team has the longest serving manager in world football...MAN U .One more advice: Ronaldo if you want to be the greatest player of all time, manchester is the place to be. chiez
sneijder is one smart player; he nailed it! every 2 yrs some or all of the big clubs go thru this cycle of breaking up a great team by bringing in a so-called superstar player; And Barca? just when Messi and Eto'o are starting to click, they want Eto'o to leave.
"I am not criticising because I just want to point out that 'a player cannot be at the same level all year round'." This quote represents the mature thinking of a player that has an understanding towards the team and his team mates.A player cannot be at the same level all year round...?hmmm..lets see..Ronnie a.k.a Ronaldinho, Ronaldo (Brazil), Gilberto Silva, Adriano, Beckham, Figo, and i think there is a lot more.Good players that maintain their perfomance are such as Henry, Zidane, Ryan Giggs, Lampard, Gerrard, Patrick Viera, Sneijder, Robben, Van der Vaart, Buffon, Van Der Sar, Cech, and other honourable players. I prefer to like a footballer rather than like footbal club coz sum football clubs make silly mistakes in transfer market by buying players that's having a hard time adapting to the club environment. Real is making a really silly decision, ever since they bought beckham that is, which he couldn't adapt to the La Liga style of playing for the first season with a lot of body contact going on. Anyway, Sneidjer is definitely wise in his words.How about Eurosport go and interview at least 6 Man U players and ask them what do they think abt CR leaving?or should he stay? I'd like to know that. ^_^
how can henry be the best in the permier ever? ronaldo will win world player of the year this year he has won the premiership back to and the european cup he has delivered goals and trophies at a age of 22 which is more than henry will ever achieve henry was overated he played at the time of average defenders and teams cristiano has to play and outwit the best bunch of players. look at henry now he is rapid decline
rubbish ronaldo definetly aint the best player ever in the premiership...let him produce at the highest level for 7-8 years like Henry then he can compete. Two great seasons do not equal greatness and £70m plus when you already have robben who is just as good or better when fit is stupid and will signal a whole new glactico era with iits subsequent lack of trophies. So in this respect I think sneijder is right and offers a sensible insight into this transfer saga which is rare for a footballer, especially this summer!
cristiano ronaldo is the best player in the world so it is only right that he gets the best wages in the world. he scored 42 goals last season which is unblievable for a striker let alone a winger and at such a young age. he is the best player ever to play in the premiership. he is the best player to ever wear the reds shirt. i wish that manchester united could keep him some how but he wants to go so should be allowed to go. HE MIGTH BE THE BEST BUT IS NOT IRRAPLAYCABLE
I think Ronaldo has damaged his global image and consequently worth with this transfer saga, especially after agreeing with the slavery comments. Ironic considering Real Madrid's obvious commercial agenda with him.
Ronaldo should look to someone like Pele on how to conduct himself. He was the world's greatest player not just because of his skills, but because he was a great and honourable sportsman aswell.
Sneijder is true, but Ronaldo has to come out of slavery first, inorder to fulfil a childhood dream.
From a football point of view, it's hard to argue with Sneijder. Real would be better off not to sign Ronaldo. Regardless of Ronaldo's skills, it's much different than their last record-breaking transfer in obtaining Zidane. Zidane was a proven leader and most importantly, he was a FULL-TIME footballer who became famous ONLY because of his input on the football field. On the other hand, Ronaldo has shown the world that he's only a Prima Donna and it's hard to forsee him turning into a true leader, especially after his ILL-advised agreement with the "slavery" comment of the "mentally ILL" Blatter.
From a commercial point of view though, signing Ronaldo will make much financial sense. Not only would he sell tons of shirts, he would definitely improve their TV ratings globally, putting them in a better position in negotiating better TV deals and sponsorship deals.
Real is fully aware how much Ronaldo may hurt their team morale and team chemistry, but they'll still try their best to sign him. When they signed the last Man Utd No.7, it pretty much presented the same pros and cons, and they went for him anyway. Ronaldo is much more expensive but at least he is much younger and definitely a better footballer than the now LA pub team galatico.
sneijder is right. ronaldo is too overrated. real madrid should have learned their lesson about signing every superstar there is out there. look at their results the last years. good teams need few superstars (but no divas) and a lot of soldiers.
Schneijder's comments are true and mature - I like it. Despite Ronaldo's strengths and skills, he lacks fighting spirit. In 2005 Gerrard was able to turn around a 0:3 against a top club, while Ronald had nothing to add in ManU's defeat to the same team two years later - that's the difference in attitude, fighting spirit, and being a true leader. Ronaldo was one of the greatest disappointments at EURO2008 - I hardly noticed him. He cannot handle fame (nor money), and overrating him as it is done in the press and by Real Madrid makes things worse for him. Eventhough I'm a Liverpool supporter, I enjoy watching him and ManU on a good day, but can't stand his arrogance and self-centredness. That is no mature player at all, and, if he wants to learn some much-needed humility, he better stay at Man U under tough-guy Sir Alex (although I wish that such proud players leave the Premier League...) It takes both skill AND character to be a great player - Ronald has one but not the other.
What will Real Mad do with the pair of Arjen Robben and Robinho if Cristiano Ronaldo finally arrives at the La Liga giants (Real Mad)?
Signing Ronoldo will cause disunity amongst the players 'cos of the take home, with the huge wages, will he play four legs, Real Mad u better watch it now. Remember pride goet before a fall. He may go to Mad without clicking, after he didn't shine during the just concluded EURO2008 after being highly rated.
Im Man U supporter and he speaks the truth but if ROnaldo after his injury play really well there would be no doubt to his ability and would be World PLayer
Yes, Ronaldo did not perform in matches where man u was playing like chelsea,man city and liverpool. He seem to be lost at time. No doubt in scored 42 goals but most were against minor teams.
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