Weekly social media posts published by Cristiano Ronaldo Offseason usually show a half-dressed soccer superstar, bulging muscles, either exercising or promoting one of the many brands.
Staying relevant and very clearly visible is very important for players who, along with Lionel Messi, are the biggest of their generation. It also extends to the last years of his career in the field as well.
That is why, for Ronaldo who is 37 years old, playing for Manchester United-still one of the most famous sports teams in the world, despite the recent trophy drought. He wants to compete on the biggest stage, win the biggest trophy while he can.
Therefore the current deadlock with United, which has become more damaging and disturbing over time and the new season is visible.
In public, Ronaldo has not returned to pre -season training with English clubs because of what has been described as "personal reasons." Hope, who recently employs United manager Erik Ten Hag repeats almost every day, is that Ronaldo will return before the Premier League begins and become a key squad member.
In fact, it seems different. Ronaldo reportedly wanted to come out after one season back at Old Trafford, with United no longer in the Champions League or in a condition to compete with the best teams in England such as Manchester City and Liverpool. United finished sixth last season, 35 points behind the first city.
So, while other members of the United troops have a tour in Thailand and Australia, get a sharp match and get acquainted with Ten Hag and his method, Ronaldo has returned to Portugal with his family while his agent, Jorge Mendes, the shops around looking for a new club for his client the most famous.
At present, there are no buyers.
And the Premier League season starts in about two weeks.
"I don't know what Cristiano said to the club and to the manager," said United midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who also played with Ronaldo for Portugal. "I don't know what happened on his head, if he wanted to leave. I didn't ask them to it.
"Of all that we know," added Fernandes, "he has some family problems so we have to respect his space, give him space and only that. The only thing I ask Cristiano when he doesn't appear is if everything is fine with Family. He told me what was happening, that's all and nothing more. "
In front of him, United still wanted to defend Ronaldo - he was the team's top scorer last season with 24 goals and returned to the club poster boy for the marketing department - and Ten Hag said the striker was "very important" with "not sold."
But why will other top clubs be cold to players who are still a guaranteed source of goals, and income in this matter?
The goal may be the goal of the game but they don't have to be enough for modern coaches. Certain levels of mobility and the ability to be part of the game that the team is pressed is also very meaningful, and Ronaldo does not offer it, even if he remains an extraordinary athletic player with extraordinary abilities that live in the penalty area and score goals from anywhere. The team structure must change to accommodate players like Ronaldo who are aging, who cover their shortcomings and the need to make it a focal point.
In short, its presence requires compromise to be made. He is a problem and solution.
Maybe, if he finally lives in United, Ten Hag can come with a system where Ronaldo develops and the surrounding players can cover it and make the team operate in an efficient way. It's easier to say than to do.
Thomas Tuchel - The type of coach who appreciates the team over the individual - clearly thinks it is impossible, considering that the Chelsea team is one of the clubs that seems to be spoken to Mendes. There is a striking hole in the frontline of Chelsea too, with Romelu Lukaku back to Inter Milan.
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