There has been much deliberation surrounding the five time Balon D'Or winner's move from Real Madrid to Italian giants Juventus but what are the repercussions for all the parties involved and who will be affected? Of course Juventus are strengthened by the move and Real Madrid are significantly weaker but who are the clubs and parties involved by the merry-go-round following CR7's departure from Los Blancos?
JUVENTUS
At the Juve shareholder's summit held last November, president Andrea Agnelli stated "there is a gradual polarisation underway on the old continent". "There are eight clubs who make more than 400million euros a year. We make between 300million and 400million as do Liverpool. Four clubs turn over between 200million and 300million and ten clubs between 150million and 200million. We are in no-man's land. Half in the last carriage of first class. Half in the carriage of second class. The risk is to stay trapped in the middle". One can see here from Agnelli's statement that the move to sign Ronaldo was one born out of lust to boost the Bianconeri's position as a global brand along with increasing commercial revenue. In today's digital age brand enhancement and growth of the core business are key. The effects are already apparent. Amid speculation to sign the Portugues great Juve's stock price rose 33% in one week to the equivalent of 233million. In the 24 hours upon signing CR7, Juventus gained a further 1.4million followers on Instagram, 1million on Twitter plus an additional 500,000 likes on Facebook. The Italian champions are set to take a huge jump on the Deloitte rich list come year end. (10th in prior year). They have already taken steps to re-negotiate deals with sponsors; Adidas and Jeep.
Juventus also maintain their obsession of Champions League success and their 350million investment in Ronaldo over the next four years is with a view to that vision bearing fruit. Although Ronaldo's position in the team is a cert, where he will take up space on the pitch is less so. Juve will be hoping that this rolling of the dice, going against the organic blueprint which served them so well will hope they don't have to dismantle their squad. Adding Ronaldo without a quality framework won't do much good to the Italian greats. Argentine striker, Gonzalo Higuain is not the type of selfless back to goal striker Ronaldo needs and given CR7's past few seasons at Madrid the Portuguese star will crave that lone position up front himself. That is not to say that Ronaldo does not need the link man which Karim Benzema played at Real to him for the past nine seasons. Croatian star Mario Mandzukic is the embodiment of a team player tirelessly galloping up and down the left flank, it will be interesting to see what relationship he can forge with the Bianconeri's new star.
If Allegri lines up in his custom 4-2-3-1, I expect Douglas Costa to fill the right berth with Paulo Dybala playing in behind CR7. Although this could also change to a 4-3-3 which could see Dybala at risk of losing his place in the team giving his tendency to disobey coach Max Allegri's orders. In terms of outgoings Juventus look certain to sell defender, Daniele Rugani to Chelsea recouping 40 million while Gonzalo Higuain too seems to be on the way out. Allegri will be keen to remind the board although Juve's move for Ronaldo stemmed from a desire to achieve off field success it will be what happens on the field that will be the parameter of success for all parties involved.
SERIE A
CR7's move to Turin will also boost the Italian league. To find a transfer as big as this to Italy one must date back to the Portuguese star's name like who in 1997 moved to Roy Hodgson's Inter Milan. Ronaldo's move to Juventus will spark hopes of a throwback to yesteryears where in the glory days of the late 1980's Zico donned the Udinese strip, Michel Platini banged goals in for Juventus and the celebrated Diego Maradona was the king of Naples. He will have to adapt though, Serie A to this day is a league like no other where many team's goal is to concede one less rather than score one more. How Ronaldo indeed adapts to the style of play will be intriguing. Although unclear the impact Ronaldo will have on the pitch one thing is for sure that the move will undoubtedly boost the league's commercial revenue and TV money. There have been more attempts in the past few years to expand the league into the Asian markets, expect CR7's move to only multiply this effect. In a country where 'Catenaccio" was christened and hastily sold to the masses for many a year the league officials will be hoping the Old Lady's fling with CR7 will rekindle the old flame of decades past.
REAL MADRID
Ronaldo's departure from the Spanish giants confirmed the long held belief that Florentino Perez really does see himself as to indispensable the club. His relationship with Ronaldo has long been of hot topic in the press and his departure will have only added to many people's belief that Perez does have an ego befitting of the Portguese man himself. Perez always seemed to hold a grudge against Ronaldo throughout the nine years he resided in Madrid pitifully due to the fact that it was Ramon Calderon and not Perez himself who brought Madrid's GOAT to the club. With Zidane and Ronaldo departing it will largely be down to Perez as to how Los Blancos restructure. His main goal perhaps will be to tie down Champions League matchwinner, Gareth Bale to a long term deal. Bale has been derided throughout his stay in Spain and will be seeking reassurances of his importance to the Madrid setup following CR7's exit. One could see a throwback to the Welshman's Spurs days where he was so effectively deployed as a number 10 or in behind the striker which unquestionabky would enable the Welsh wizard to flourish. Although his performances have been good the Welshman has come under fire for his personality, leadership potential and centrality to the Madrid side.
Madrid are most likely however to dip into the transfer market and will be keen of tying up deals with only a few weeks remaining. It is noteworthy and hugely surprising that a club of Madrid's stature have had no sporting director for many a year and therefore any plans to strategize and plan forward in the post Ronaldo era will need to be expertly scrutinized. Quite clearly they will not be able to replace his presence either in the form of goals or presence itself. Eden Hazard, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar are all class and quite worthy of filling the Ronaldo shape void at the Bernabeau however would not be expected to replace their predocessor in terms of goals. Madrid have already taken steps to improve several other aspects of their squad with Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois widely touted to join the ranks before the August deadline and Alfredo Odriozola has already joined the ranks and is expected to fight Dani Carvajal for the right full position. Robert Lewandowski has also been linked with a move to the Spanish capital and any if Madrid are to have any hope of signing the Pole they will likely need to splash the cash.
CRISTIANO RONALDO
Ronaldo's mind was made up when in a show of relative petulance (although common) he demanded in February to be given a new improved contract then if not he would seek new pastures. Mr.Perez met him halfway and agreed to decrease their star player's buyout clause from over 1billion to just the 100million. CR7 saw this as the straw that broke the camel's back and the decision was made to leave "Los Blancos". When you put it into context and realize that he is a man who craves affection from the masses his stance is less startling. He has broken every record possible during his time in Spain and has cemented himself among the legends of the game for eternity. Therefore once can understand his perplexion when the club refused to appeal his five game ban at the start of the season, his disillusionment at times by Zidane's proclivity to rotate the side and the frustration concerning the tax case in Spain which only worsened matters. Apart from that you could say that this move was born out of a desire to further one's legacy. Ronaldo would become just the second ever player after Clarence Seedorf to win the Champions League at three different clubs should the Bianconeri lift the famous trophy during his spell. Only Madrid legend, Paco Gento (6) has won more Champions League medals than Ronaldo (5). The deal which takes him to Juve defies conventional wisdom for a player who in fact defies conventional biology.
THE REST
As already discussed several of Europe's elite could have their transfer plans scuppered by Ronaldp's exit. Bayern could miss out on the signing of James should Madrid (although unlikely) fail to reinforce the squad adaquately and could be forced to spend elsewhere. PSG's duo of Mbappe and Neymar are subject of heavy Madrid interest and one would not be surprised to see either wind up at Valdebebas come the close of the transfer window given the French side FFP's woes and new incoming boss Tomas Tuchel most likely to lay down the gauntlet. Chelsea too could be forced to enter the market with heightened spending power should Courtois and/or Hazard find the exit door and move to the Spanish capital. Although there are a few weeks to run in this summer's window one can be certain of a far more level playing field among Europe's elite next season. Ronaldo's departure has breathed new life into Atleti's and Valencia's sails as they look to breakdown the Madrid-Barca duopoly while it would take a brave man to pick among the likes of Bayern, Madrid, Barca, Juventus or City to lift Europe's most coveted prize come June 1st next year in Madrid.