Ronaldo joining Messi sums up PSG's 'bling-bling' era

James Shearman

• Updated: 3 Jul 2022 13:07 BST
• 4 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo's future has been in question for some time, but news on Saturday suggested that the forward wants out of Manchester United.

Ronaldo returned to Man Utd last summer after 12 years away in a much-publicised transfer from Juventus.

The superstar was aiming to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford and challenge for major trophies.

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However, despite impressing individually with 24 goals in 38 games, Man Utd finished the season trophy-less in sixth place, accumulating the lowest number of points since the Premier League was formed in 1992.

Erik ten Hag has since taken over as the club’s new manager ahead of next season but, as we approach the start of July, Man Utd have still not signed a single player.

According to multiple sources, Ronaldo is concerned about the club’s ability to challenge for trophies next season and his agent Jorge Mendes has thus begun speaking to other clubs.

The most high-profile is Chelsea, who are looking for a new number nine as Romelu Lukaku returned to Inter on loan.

However, one team, which has not been mentioned for a while, that could make for a thrilling final chapter of Ronaldo's career is Paris Saint-Germain.

Ronaldo to PSG?

As well as signing Kylian Mbappe to a huge new contract, PSG may not be considered as a result of president Nasser Al-Khelaifi's desire to end the 'bling-bling' era at Parc des Princes.

''Maybe we need to change our slogan… Dream Bigger is good, but today we must above all be realistic,'' Al-Khelaifi told Le Parisien. ''We no longer want flashy or bling-bling. It’s the end of the sequins.

''We’re here for a long time. We’re going to have the best training centre in the world. My objective for the next few years is to have only Parisian players in our team. There’s so much talent in our region. The best players in our region deserve to play for PSG. It will take time, but it’s a target.''

Now, signing Ronaldo would be the antithesis of this strategy - there has never been a more high-profile footballer.

But, wouldn't it be great for PSG to end the 'bling-bling' era with the most star-driven attacking lineup in the history of the game?

For years, fans have debated the greatest of all time - Lionel Messi or Ronaldo - so to see them play alongside each other would be a fairy-tale ending to one of sport's greatest rivalries.

Not to mention, the pair would have two of the game's most glorious talents alongside them in Mbappe and Neymar.

The commercial value in having the quartet would also be through the roof - something which the Parisian club clearly pride themselves on.

If PSG truly are looking to tone things down in the future, they may as well go out with a bang by adding Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo to their ranks first.