Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at Real Madrid this summer but reports that he could leave after becoming increasingly frustrated in Spain must have concerned the Champions League winners.
Real president Florentino Perez admitted Ronaldo was “very angry” due to the allegations aimed towards him of tax fraud.
The Portuguese superstar will answer the charges brought against him by prosecutors at Spain’s Hacienda tax authority in court on July 31 - an annoying disruption in his pre-season plans.
Ronaldo will join his Real Madrid teammates on their tour of the United States at a later date but he retains the support of his colleagues.
"I have not spoken with Cristiano about this," Marcelo said, per ESPN. "He knows that his teammates are with him to the death.
“When he arrives we will speak with him and see how he is."
Ronaldo has one close friend at Real Madrid
It’s interesting that Marcelo has spoken out about Ronaldo’s situation, for Real’s outgoings this summer have left him as the one player that the forward is still close to.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, the departures of Portuguese pair Fabio Coentrao and Pepe, and James Rodriguez’s loan move to Bayern Munich, mean Ronaldo is left with just one close friend at the Santiago Bernabeu: Marcelo.
It’s an awkward position to be in, and one that shouldn’t really concern Real supporters.
Let’s face it, Ronaldo has never come across as the chummiest of characters. And, alongside captain Sergio Ramos, he’s an important leader in the dressing room.
But at a time when Ronaldo’s future is under such scrutiny, perhaps it would help if he had more teammates to confide in.
Ronaldo feels on his own
Marca’s report adds that Ronaldo’s teammates are confident that he will stay, with Los Blancos’ recent success an influential factor in the 32-year-old’s decision to put aside his off-the-field issues.
The concern arises from Ronaldo’s admission that he feels on his own when he travels to Valdebebas, Real’s training base in Madrid.
But the departures Coentrao, Pepe and James shouldn’t really surprise the Portugal international.
Thankfully, Ronaldo has the sights of a fifth Ballon d’Or to comfort him.