The Fall of the Stars: Disappointing Starts for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in their New Clubs

The current football championship seasons have gone dismally for new transfers especially the stars, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Lionel Messi only scored his first Ligue 1 goal recently, after spending more than a month in his new club Paris Saint-Germain. On the other hand, Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to top 10 goals at Manchester United, only scoring a handful and failing to inspire the club back to its and his glory days. What went wrong? Are the stars not comfortable enough or is adjusting to their new clubs, new lives, and new cities a problem for them and their families?

Is Messi the G.O.A.T?

Lionel Messi is arguably the best football player in the world. Actually, the ‘arguably’ is now only reinforced by his current dismal performance at PSG. Don’t get me wrong, this is not to say Messi will not open the floodgates and tear any opposing defense to pieces. Far from it. Messi is a top-quality player. He is the crème de la crème of football and it could only be a matter of time before he leads Paris Saint-Germain to UEFA Champions League glory.

However, it seems that he has had a hard time adjusting to life at PSG and also life in Paris, France. Messi loves Barcelona. He loves FC Barcelona just as much as he loves the City of Barcelona. That is his home and he has even speculated that he could be willing to go back someday. Messi said he would be willing to go back to FC Barcelona and Barcelona the city.

Messi will Rise like a Phoenix from the Ashes

Even so, Messi understands and acknowledges that he and his family have to adjust to life in Paris and at PSG. It is somewhat of a thrill also as he gets to play with former rivals such as Sergio Ramos and also some of his best friends such as Neymar at PSG. He may have just scored his opening goal at Ligue 1 but it is no doubt one of many to come. The star may be falling at the moment but he is sure going to rise again, like a phoenix from the ashes.

CR7 in a Dilemma: United Failed by Ole Gunnar while He is Trying to Bring Back the Glory Days

Cristiano Ronaldo could not come to Manchester United at a better or even worse time. Better in the sense that Man United need a player and leader of his caliber more than ever, and worse in the sense that the club is currently undergoing one of its worst inflection points in history. Manchester United is a giant on its knees and it may well be, unfortunate as it is, a player such as CR7 can only do so much to turn the club’s fortune around.

Unlike Messi, Cristiano and his family have had a much better time adjusting to life in Manchester, United Kingdom. In that aspect, Cristiano seems to have no major issue with moving away from life in Madrid, Spain. He is a cannonball and to him, he will swing hard anywhere and that marks one of his many strengths. As it is, he may be having a hard time bringing the ‘Red Devils’ to their senses but this could also be attributed to their failing manager, his former teammate at Man United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Management of Man United Should Let Go of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Therefore, I believe if the management at Manchester United lets go of Solskjaer, then Ronaldo will have the opportunity, chance, and motivation he needs to lead the club. It goes without saying that he should also be given the captaincy at the club and Edison Cavani, another veteran, also given a leadership role. A good manager such as former Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, would do a lot of good at the club. Can you just imagine the trio of Zidane, Ronaldo, and Cavani at the helm of United? Yes. It would be a joy and an absolute thrill to watch. As such, it’s upon Man United to let go of Solskjaer and grab the chance at appointing Zidane as the new manager.

This would be for the good of the club, its players, its fans, and its overall prospects in various leagues including the English Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. I reiterate, the stars may be falling but they will rise again, like a phoenix from the ashes. I have no doubt in my mind that it is only a matter of time and a few adjustments here and there, both at their clubs and in their living conditions. It could as well be a matter of settling down for Messi and a new manager at Manchester United for Cristiano. United and PSG already have the quality of players to work with the stars to see the clubs to glory in EPL, Ligue 1, and ultimately, the UCL.