Odds and Sods

Cristiano Ronaldo fueled the rumor mill be refusing to rule out a transfer to Real Madrid this summer.

Ronaldo, 23, scored an astounding 41 goals in 47 appearances for Manchester United this season.  A transfer, should it occur, would break the world record of £46m by Real Madrid for Zinedine Zidane.  Reports in April claimed that Madrid offered £100m for the Portuguese winger.

The question is where is Real Madrid getting the money?  On paper, they are the world’s richest club.  However, just last month they took out a £30m loan to cover operating costs.  One study estimates that Beckham’s departure cost them between £28.5m and £37m in annual revenue.  How can they afford this?

Madrid’s clinch made this match meaningless, save the possible theatrics of a Catalan honor guard.  There was no need to sully the home whites with the title won.  Barcelona lacked motivation as well–their top four finish secure.  Only the scant possibility of a bittersweet second was at stake.  Pride the only prominent impetus, the matched promised lethargy.  Unfortunately for Barcelona, they were the only team that listened.

Real’s double had proved less than dominant.  Rife with poor form, shrouded in backstage machinations and stripped of the Galacticos’ skill and sex appeal, their titles sparked little respect and enthusiasm.  The lead became Barcelona’s failure rather than Madrid greatness.  For purposes historical not practical, Real Madrid needed to define the double.  This derby match provided that opportunity.

The talisman Raul called for this team to be kept together, and their inspired performance showed why.  They commanded for the full ninety over a sallow Barcelona side.  Eto’o, the cowardly lion conveniently carded in the previous match, missed due to suspension.  Ronaldinho sat out with his “injury.”  Often the greatest show in soccer, Los Culés came with only the requisite fifteen pieces of flair in their four to one defeat.

The goals summed Madrid magnificently.  They had the flash from Arjen Robben and the future from Gonzalo Higuain.  Both were bookended by experienced hands Raul and Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

Real Madrid entered a meaningless stage but their effort endowed it with masterful significance.  The headlines may focus on the collapse and reconstruction of Barcelona, but it was Los Blancos who ruled the day.

Ronaldinho in his thin days.