Who are winners and losers from Ronaldo's transfer to Juventus?
Cristiano Ronaldo is close to completing a move to the Serie A champions Juventus. He has, reportedly, agreed on a four-year contract worth €30 million per season. Juventus are forking out a massive sum of €100 million for the world's most marketable athlete. As Ronaldo sets out on a new challenge, we take a look at the winners and losers from this deal.
Cristiano Ronaldo: The biggest winner
Cristiano Ronaldo has won everything in football. However, after plying his trade in the Premier League and La Liga, CR7 would love the challenge of winning the Scudetto with the Old Lady of Turin. Ronaldo will not only get a bigger pay cheque at Juventus but he could also help them win the title which has eluded them in recent times- the Champions League.
Gonzalo Higuain: The biggest loser
Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival will put an end to Higuain's time at Juventus. With Dybala on the rise, Higuain's reputation has already taken a beating. Ronaldo's arrival means that Higuain would be shipped off elsewhere. Notably, Higuain had left Real Madrid for Napoli due to the goal scoring attributes of Ronaldo. We expect him to play for a new club in 2018/19.
Isco and Asensio: The catalysts
CR7's departure from Madrid means that Spanish duo Isco and Asensio will now be the catalysts. The duo were often benched since Ronaldo's place was always certain in the XI. Now with him gone, expect these two to find more game time. Isco might become one of the central figures of Real Madrid's attack, which could bring the best out of him.
La Liga set to lose post Ronaldo's departure
Undoubtedly, CR7 is one of the biggest crowd pullers. With Ronaldo moving to Serie A, La Liga will lose its most prominent superstar. Ronaldo's departure would be a big loss for the Spanish league.
Gareth Bale: An unlikely beneficiary
Gareth Bale would benefit a lot from Ronaldo's move. Not only he will become an instant superstar of Real Madrid's attack, but he should also find his name on the score-sheet more often. With Isco likely to play on the left, Bale would be Real Madrid's main athlete. Given his speed, he will be the difference-maker in the final third.
Karim Benzema: The partner in crime
Benzema and Ronaldo are Madrid's version of Batman and Robin. The Frenchman has been short on goals but it is unfair to criticize Benzema, since he works hard so that Ronaldo can score goals. With Ronaldo's move to Juventus and his poor goal-scoring attributes, Real Madrid do not need a 'support' striker. His stint with Los Blancos is likely to end soon.
