Cristiano Ronaldo has finally decided to leave Real Madrid after nine glorious years, and join Italian champions Juventus. His time at Madrid has been nothing short of phenomenal as he managed to become Madrid’s all-time top scorer with 451 goals in all competitions.
He won 16 trophies in his nine years including four Champions League titles in the last five years. On an individual level, he won 4 ballon d’ors and three golden boots.
Such numbers will be very difficult to replace but Madrid will be looking to spend big on his replacement. These are the five players who can potentially replace him at the club.
Neymar, PSG
He seems like the obvious and the most sensible replacement for Ronaldo. Just like Ronaldo, Neymar also plays at the left wing and has the potential to reach the high standards set by him. From his time at Barcelona, he also has ample La Liga experience.
Neymar moved to PSG last season for an all-time record transfer fee of €222 million. Realistically speaking, it will be very difficult, even impossible, for Madrid to get Neymar this season.
A bid in the region of €300 million would be required to even make PSG think of selling Neymar and that amount may be too much even for a club like Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappe, PSG
At 19, Kylian Mbappe has already reached unprecedented levels and he is being touted as a future ballon d’or winner. He has set this World Cup alight and if he is able to reach his potential, he is more than capable of replacing Ronaldo.
Just like Neymar, he also moved to PSG last season for €180 million and it will be difficult for Madrid to make PSG sell him. A bid of at least €300 million will again be required which may be too much for Madrid with the Financial Fair Play regulations coming in.
Eden Hazard, Chelsea
He is being looked upon as the perfect Cristiano Replacement for a long time now. Just like Mbappe, he had a great World Cup where he captained Belgium to the semi-finals. He plays in the same position as Ronaldo and seems like the most possible replacement.
Chelsea has failed to reach Champions League this year and Hazard has refused to commit his future at Chelsea. With Ronaldo leaving, this will be the perfect time for Hazard to take a step up and join Madrid. A bid in the region of €150 million may force Chelsea to sell him.
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool
Salah had an amazing first season for Liverpool as he scored 44 goals in all competitions and took Liverpool to the Champions League final where they ultimately lost to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid. He is another player Madrid will be looking at to replace their number seven.
Many would say that Salah just signed a long-term contract at Liverpool but so did Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho just 3-4 months before they left. Every club has its price and anywhere around €200 million may force Liverpool into selling Salah.
Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspurs
Harry Kane has successfully established himself as one of the most lethal strikers in the world scoring goals week in and week out, just like Ronaldo. Kane may not play in the same position as Ronaldo but even Ronaldo has been playing as a number nine for the past 2-3 seasons, so that should not be a problem.
Kane has now been playing at Tottenham since 2009 and might be looking for a new challenge now. With Ronaldo gone, this will be a perfect time for Kane to leave and win some trophies. Anywhere around €200 million may force Tottenham into selling him.