Speaking exclusively with BoyleSports , Manchester United legend Wes Brown has insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo could play anywhere and that his playing story isn’t over yet.
The five-time Premier League winner has also given insight into player burnout out and his experience with scheduling issues and discusses the Club World Cup set for this summer.
Ronaldo Could Play Anywhere
Cristiano Ronaldo has the status to play anywhere, and Brazil could make a lot of sense. Portuguese speaking and has a big football culture, I’m sure he has contracts in Brazil, and I have no doubts that he can carry on playing despite being 40.
I don't see him finishing anytime soon and the honest truth is that he’s not had bad injuries, and he will just want to keep on going as long as he is enjoying things.
Once you don't enjoy it there's completely no point whatsoever. But he still loves the game and I'm pretty sure if Brazil is his next target he will go to Brazil. I'd always thought he’d go to America for a year, and you never know that could still happen.
Ronaldo Story Not Over “Yet”
Cristiano Ronaldo’s personality has been that he always wants to play on the biggest stage and in the biggest tournaments. People see that as selfish, but I don't. It's just his personal drive, that’s what has helped him get to the level he has. He dreams of winning trophies and that will still be the case.
We will have to wait and see but he would be a great addition to the tournament. I wish him all the best and his story isn’t over yet.
Player Load And Burnout
I think players will get a similar amount of time off even when considering the Club World Cup, but it will be different to a normal summer.
Having said that, some players need more time off than others so we might not see all the big stars playing, it will be interesting to see how players treat it, some will have a fear of getting injured and that could play a part.
We could also see some players burning out earlier in the season, it will be a test both mentally and physically. It’s a big tournament, but it could hamper the start to the season for some clubs, it will be about who deals with it best.
“Dropping” The FA Cup
We once dropped out of the FA Cup and we got a lot of stick for it, but the FA were behind us doing that, they wanted us to go and represent England and that came at the expense of the cup. They told us to go.
This new tournament shows how far it has gone; it’s getting bigger and bigger and it’s exciting to see how it goes.
Club World Cup Potential
At the moment it’s a bit of an unknown, we don’t know if teams are going to give it 100% just yet. Teams won’t want to pick up any injuries, that’s the worst-case scenario, but as time goes on this tournament will become more of a priority.
It’s not a major tournament just yet, but I think it will get there. This summer it might be seen as a warm-up for the season and for clubs to see how they can handle it, but it should gain respect as time goes on.
Club World Cup Prediction
You’d have to make PSG favourites for the Club World Cup, to win 5-0 in a Champions League final is unheard of.
They have won the Treble and have so much talent and depth in their squad, they are the obvious favourites for a reason, and I’d back them to lift the trophy ahead of Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Goodbye For Messi?
Watching Lionel Messi recently, he gets in all the right positions, but he is getting older. That is natural but he will still punish you if he gets the ball in the right positions.
As long as he is still enjoying himself he will keep having an impact, I think he’ll have his say on the Club World Cup this summer, he still has that skill level and will want to show it again on the biggest stage against the best players.
Messi vs Ronaldo
I love to see Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo on the biggest stage, and I’ll be devastated when it’s over. People ask me who I prefer, and I say it’s Ronaldo because he’s my friend. But I love Messi as well.
It will be missed when they are not playing any more and seeing it this summer would be fantastic, we need to enjoy it when we can. Hopefully, we see it one last time.
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