That’s the hubbub around Manchester United’s showers offices. Sir Alex Ferguson is so impressed with Cristiano Ronaldo’s 23 goals in all competitions (17 domestic), that he’s told the striker he’d give him pay raise if he breaks the 30 goal barrier in the Premiership. Thirty goals in all competitions is one thing, but thirty goals in the Premiership alone is as likely as Ronaldo staying away from hookers.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s salary is currently set at 12 million dollars a year, or roughly 240,000 a week. Ronaldo has proven his worth, by far in fact, but when does a team say “enough is enough?” Isn’t this the moment in which players should direct their attention to win anything and everything is championships? Isn’t this the moment that a player should concentrate (in order to redeem himself from the absurdity of making so much money) on appeasing frothing fans pride with hardware? More money will only lead to Ronaldo’s demise because, frankly, that’s what freakin’ happens.

If Ronaldo scores 30 domestic goals and, lets speculate, 40 all competition goals, then it will be a great individual feat. But if Manchester United fail to win the Champions League, then Manchester United fans will be calling New York Yankees’ fans for insight into what the hell is going on. Pay when he reaches the zenith of European club soccer…and wins. Until then, get him some bodyguards and make sure he doesn’t pull any muscles.

Man Utd’s Ferguson backs Ronaldo goal chase [AFP]
Image [ReidarMortenson]