Líder isolada do Grupo A5 da Série D, a Aparecidense tem incontestavelmente a melhor campanha de sua chave. Além da defesa menos vazada com apenas sete gols sofridos em 10 partidas, a equipe possui o ataque mais positivo, tendo balançado as redes rivais 19 vezes. Vice-artilheiro do time, o meia Albano elogia a trajetória do clube goiano na competição.
– Temos 70% de aproveitamento no campeonato e isso deixa claro que estamos muito bem na disputa. Ainda restam quatro rodadas para o encerramento da primeira fase e até lá buscaremos a máxima pontuação possível – garantiu.
Albano é um dos principais nomes da Aparecidense na temporada 2020. Aos 23 anos, vem se destacando com gols e assistências. Para o atleta, ser líder ao final da fase inicial do torneio é uma meta essencial.
– A classificação é o objetivo número um, mas terminarmos em primeiro é muito importante, pois nos dá vantagem na sequência e impõe respeito aos nossos adversários – concluiu.
Aston Villa's renaissance continues following a stunning Premier League victory over Chelsea, as the Midlands side came away from Stamford Bridge with a 1-0 win and all three points.
The result ensures Unai Emery’s men remain in sixth place in the table, having suffered just two defeats in the league and – comparing the club to this stage last year – it is like night and day.
Indeed, comparing the club now from when they first achieved promotion back to the top flight in 2019 is incredible, especially in terms of the quality of player they can now lure to the Midlands while having a world-class manager in charge.
Under Dean Smith, Villa spent big on players such as Tyrone Mings (£21m), Wesley (£22m) and Marvelous Nakamba (£11m) alongside a host of other players who failed to really make the grade at the club.
Dean Smith
In total, he spent over £300m in assembling a squad which could cope with the demands of top-flight football, while trying to re-establish the club as one of the biggest sides in the top flight.
League finishes of 17th and 11th in Smith’s two seasons in charge weren’t exactly spectacular, however, while his successor Steven Gerrard failed to inspire much confidence either, finishing 14th during the 2021/22 season after he had been appointed in November 2021.
Very few of the signings made by the 52-year-old had any sort of meaningful impact at the club. Ollie Watkins is shining under Emery, while Tyrone Mings impressed last term, although he suffered a serious injury during the first match of the season and is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign.
Matty Cash is another who has made a significant impact during his spell at Villa and this has seen his market value soar.
How much did Aston Villa sign Matty Cash for?
The right-back signed from Nottingham Forest for a fee of around £16m back in 2020 as the club were looking to make progress ahead of the 2020/21 season.
Matty Cash
Smith praised the defender upon his arrival, saying: “We are delighted to welcome Matty to Villa and believe we have secured one of England’s brightest young prospects.
“He has an excellent playing record for a young player and we believe he will settle in easily and continue his rapid development into a top full-back.”
Having made 141 appearances for Forest, Cash arrived in the Midlands with a wealth of senior experience and the move has turned out extremely well so far, emerging as a key player under Emery.
How much is Matty Cash worth now?
Since making his debut for the club in 2020, the English-born Polish international has racked up over 100 games for Villa in just three years and the initial £16m transfer fee now appears to be a very wise move indeed.
Cash has seen his value rise steadily since September 2020 and according to Football Transfers, the defender is now currently valued at €37.1m (£32.2m) and this represents an increase of 101% from his transfer fee.
His value actually rose to €47.1m (£41m) in August 2022 yet with his recent performances, there is no doubt this could rise to a similar number in the next few months, or perhaps even higher.
Regardless of his value, Villa will be able to make a staggering profit on the 26-year-old should they wish to move him on, but he is turning into an integral part of the senior setup as Emery chases glory.
Why is Matty Cash worth this much?
Although Villa failed to reach the heights expected of them under Smith, Cash went on to make 28 Premier League appearances in his debut season, while the following term, he showed remarkable consistency by starting every single league tie for the club.
He even scored four times during the 2021/22 campaign while creating three big chances, averaging 0.8 key passes per game, and succeeding with 56% of his attempted dribbles, demonstrating his attacking abilities from a full-back role.
Last season saw him start only 20 league matches as the club were enduring some mid-season turbulence, yet he made the Poland squad for the World Cup, where he went to play all four matches for the nation as they qualified for the last 16 for the first time since 1986.
51.3
3.8
0.5
One
2.5
His performances in Qatar even drew praise from former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy, who said “Matty Cash has wonderful attributes, he’s a terrific talent!” while also explaining that “he’s got the potential to go to a big club & be comfortable at #UCL level.”
High praise indeed from someone who represented England on nine occasions and Cash has certainly taken his game to the next level during the current season.
Emery has unleashed him in the starting XI in all six matches thus far, and he has repaid this faith by scoring twice in the league, while winning 52% of his total duels and recovering 4.3 balls per game, indicating that he is strong in the tackle and is keen to mop up any loose balls in order to give his team plenty of chances to create goal-scoring opportunities.
In terms of performance across the whole Villa squad, Cash ranks fourth for overall Sofascore rating (7.15) along with topping the pile for shots on target per game (1.2), fifth for tackles (2.2) and sixth for interceptions (0.5) per game, underlining his class.
Matty Cash
The £80k-per-week gem has all but made the right-back slot his own under the Spaniard and if he continues to perform like he has this term, he may attract the attention of some top clubs in the near future.
The former Forest defender has established himself as a consistent player who not only can defend but can also showcase his attacking talents to full effect, as evidenced by the two goals he has netted this term.
Having cost just £16m three years ago, it appears that Villa has struck gold on the right-back, especially considering his value has soared over double that amount in those 36 months.
Emery won't want to sell him, yet if the time comes when an offer arrives for the player, it could well be too good to turn down and the Midlands outfit will rake in a stunning profit on Cash, there’s no doubt about that.
شهد دور المجموعات في بطولة كأس أمم أوروبا “يورو 2024″، إنجازات بارزة للمنتخبات واللاعبين.
وانتهى دور المجموعات في يورو 2024، يوم الأربعاء الماضي، حيث نستعد لمواجهات مثيرة بدور الـ 16 بداية من غدًا السبت.
وأبرز يويفا بعض الإنجازات التي وقعت في دور المجموعات، حيث أصبحت ألمانيا أول فريق يسجل خمسة أهداف في المباراة الافتتاحية منذ أول هدف في تاريخ بطولة أوروبا عام 1960، حين فازت يوغوسلافيا على فرنسا 5-4.
فوز ألمانيا بنتيجة 5-1 على اسكتلندا هو أكبر فوز على الإطلاق في المباراة الافتتاحية لبطولة أمم أوروبا.
كما أصبح التركي أردا جولر أصغر لاعب يسجل في أول ظهور له في بطولة أمم أوروبا عندما سجل هدفًا في مرمى جورجيا وعمره 19 عامًا و114 يومًا، محطمًا الرقم القياسي المسجل باسم كريستيانو رونالدو في يورو 2004 بعمر 19 عاما و128 يومًا.
اقرأ أيضًا | بعد نهاية دور المجموعات.. 7 أرقام قياسية تحطمت في يورو 2024
على خطى والده، سجل البرتغالي فرانسيسكو كونسيساو في مرمى التشيك، وسبق وسجل والده سيرجيو كونسيساو في بطولة أمم أوروبا 2000، والثنائي الآخر الوحيد بين الأب والابن الذي سجل هو الإيطالي إنريكو كييزا في يورو 1996، وفيديريكو كييزا في يورو 2020.
أصبح لاعب خط الوسط الإنجليزي جود بيلينجهام أصغر لاعب يظهر في بطولتين لكأس الأمم الأوروبية بعمر 20 عامًا و353 يومًا، متغلبًا على الرقم القياسي السابق للألماني جمال موسيالا البالغ 21 عامًا و109 يومًا.
Since securing promotion back to the Championship last season, to say that Sheffield Wednesday have failed to hit the ground running would be an incredible understatement. The Owls sit on just two points in 10 games, resulting in the dismissal of manager Xisco Munoz, who failed to win a single league game in charge in the club's worst ever start.
After doing so well to earn promotion through the play-offs last season, the last thing that Sheffield Wednesday will want is to plummet straight back down to League One, where instant promotion is hardly a guarantee. With that said, they must get their next appointment right, which could come in the form of a certain manager who has recently been linked.
What's the latest on Sheffield Wednesday's manager search?
Following the sacking of Munoz, Sheffield Wednesday's managerial search is on. Given that we're in the middle of a busy stage of the season, it may not be a long search, either, with those at Hillsborough likely keen to fill their vacancy over the coming weeks, and watch on in the hope that their new appointment can turn what is currently a sinking ship around. And that's where Steve Evans could come in.
According to TeamTalk, the Owls are eyeing a move for the Stevenage boss, who is now in the frame for the job due to his previous experience in relegation fights. Evans currently has Stevenage in fifth in League One, and firmly in the early race to achieve a play-off place come the end of the campaign. It remains to be seen whether Wednesday push on and entice Evans away from his post at Stevenage, but what is certain is that it would be a major blow for those at the League One club if they lost their manager.
Should Sheffield Wednesday hire Steve Evans?
If it's experience that Sheffield Wednesday want, then turning to Evans wouldn't exactly be a bad thing. The 60-year-old, who often uses a 5-3-2 formation, has seen it all in the EFL, having managed the likes of Leeds United and Gillingham, whilst also enjoying spells at Boston United in the early stages of his career, which you can see in full below, via TransferMarkt.
Steve Evans' Clubs
Points Per Game
Boston United
1.15
Crawley Town
1.99
Rotherham United
1.51
Leeds United
1.42
Mansfield Town
1.66
Peterborough
1.50
Gillingham
1.28
Stevenage
1.80
With that said, it's fair to say that Evans has remained consistent throughout his career, and has got even better with age, given just how successful his Stevenage stint has been so far, making Sheffield Wednesday's reported interest little surprise. He has earned plenty of praise during a lengthy career, too, including from West Ham United manager David Moyes, who previously said:
"Steve Evans and I were players at Celtic Boys’ Club – he was in a slightly older group to me, so we go back to that time. We played against each other at different times. He’s had a great record at the level he manages at, he’s done a brilliant job wherever he’s been, and he’s got Gillingham playing well in League One."
Rodrigo Santana fez o seu primeiro jogo no comando do Coritiba. No Beira-Rio, o Coxa encarou o líder do Brasileirão e arrancou um empate importante na luta contra o rebaixamento.
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Apesar de conseguir um resultado bom fora de casa, o técnico vê que o time perdeu a chance de sair vitorioso, já que atuou uma parte do jogo com um a mais, depois que o lateral-direito Heitor foi expulso.
‘Eles viraram o jogo, fizemos as alterações e conseguimos sair com um ponto válido, mas sou um otimista e saio um pouco chateado, porque poderíamos ter saído com os três pontos’, declarou na coletiva.
Com o empate fora de casa, o Coritiba chegou aos 20 pontos conquistados e alcançou a 15ª colocação.
اعترف المستشار الفني لنادي ميلان، زلاتان إبراهيموفيتش، بفشل الروسونيري في ضم إحدى الصفقات الهجومية المهمة والتي يتنافس عليها مع مانشستر يونايتد.
ودخل ميلان منذ فترة في مفاوضات مع وكيل أعمال مهاجم بولونيا، جوشوا زيركزي، من أجل الانتقال إلى ملعب “سان سيرو”.
اقرأ أيضًا.. برشلونة يعلن موعد مبارياته الصيفية أمام ريال مدريد ومانشستر سيتي وميلان
وتحدث إبراهيموفيتش في مؤتمر صحفي صباح اليوم عن الاستعداد للموسم الجديد، وقال: “كما قلت من قبل، نحن في حالة دراسة للصفقات الجديدة، لكننا لسنا في عجلة من أمرنا”.
وتابع: “فترة الانتقالات طويلة، يمكنني أن أعدكم بأننا سنحصل على صفقات جديدة، نحن نتفاوض مع البعض، لكن لا شيء محسوم”.
وأضاف: “زيركزي أصبح من الماضي، لدينا لاعب آخر في ذهننا، لن أقول اسمه، هناك شخص ما، دعونا نرى ماذا سيحدث”.
وبالتالي، انسحاب ميلان من الصفقة قد يقربها كثيرًا من مانشستر يونايتد الذي يعمل على التعاقد مع زيركزي في أقرب وقت ممكن للانضمام إلى تدريبات الفريق.
Chelsea chiefs will soon examine who and where they choose to add to their squad in the January transfer window following an inconsistent start to the campaign under Mauricio Pochettino, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
What's the latest news involving Chelsea?
Speaking to Premier League Productions, cited via Football London, former Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given has urged one of Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester United to take a chance on Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
Given stated: "He has gone under the radar, but maybe because he plays for Aston Villa. But Aston Villa are a big football club, people forget that, at times. Maybe he is talking about a new contact, at the minute. When you look at other clubs in the Premier League like Arsenal, Chelsea or even Man United. Someone of his calibre. I wonder if his agent is sort of secretly saying, 'he is of that level. He can grab goals."
Of course, Watkins' name has been mentioned in connection with Chelsea in recent times and the England international refused to be drawn on his current contract situation with Aston Villa in the aftermath of their 6-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend in the Premier League, stating to TNT Sports via TEAMtalk: "I just try and let my football do the talking. My goal is to score goals and help the team win. What happens off the pitch is separate."
Football Insider report that Chelsea could land Napoli sensation Victor Osimhen next summer for a cut-price fee due to the Serie A champions being yet to make progress on contract talks with the Nigeria international.
Osimhen is under contract at Napoli until 2025 and will have just 12 months left on his deal at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium by the time the middle of next year rolls around.
What has Fabrizio Romano said about Chelsea's transfer activity?
Writing in his Daily Briefing column via CaughtOffside, Romano has detailed that meetings lie ahead for Blues' chiefs regarding their January transfer strategy, though it hasn't yet been decided if they will attempt to bring players with more experience to Stamford Bridge.
Romano stated: "I’m also aware of some Chelsea transfer rumours about a possible change in approach this January that could see them target more experienced players. However, from what I’m hearing it’s too early to know for sure – nothing has been decided yet and more meetings will take place in the next weeks and especially between November and December to decide how to act, and what kind of signings are needed."
Enzo Fernandez in action for Chelsea.
Chelsea made no fewer than 12 first-team signings in the summer, who arrived at Stamford Bridge for a collective cost that totalled around the €462 million (£400 million) mark, as per Transfermarkt.
Nevertheless, the Blues find themselves struggling for form and potency in front of goal, indicating there is major room for improvement at Stamford Bridge and they may need to dip back into the market in the New Year to bolster squad depth in key areas.
Tottenham Hotspur have approached one club over signing their "little superstar", and there is a real belief that he's a "special" player.
Spurs form under Postecoglou
Ange Postecoglou's high-flying Lilywhites are taking everybody off guard with their sumptuous displays so far this season, and few could've envisaged their best start to a campaign since 1960/1961. Spurs are currently top of the Premier League pile after an unbeaten run of six wins from a possible eight, sealing all-important wins against the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool in that time.
This has all been achieved without star striker and all-time top goalscorer Harry Kane, who departed Tottenham for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window. The England international's exit was seen as a potentially major blow to Spurs, but they've since thrived in his absence. Kane himself is overjoyed with the start Postecoglou has made in north London.
"I have made it clear my whole career I am a Tottenham fan and I would love to see Tottenham do well," Kane said at a press conference with England.
"It's great to see. I think I've said before, the manager is doing great for them with the way they're playing. The fans are right behind the team and it's definitely what they needed after the last few years. I'll always keep an eye on Spurs and the Premier League.
"There is no other team in the Premier League I would want to win than Tottenham. I have to be respectful to Bayern Munich and of course, the fans know I will always have a soft spot for Spurs – there is no question about that. Of course, I hope [Tottenham] do as well as possible but my main attention is where I am now and trying to perform for Bayern."
Will Tottenham sign anyone in January?
While their imperious form has been just that, there are still suggestions that Tottenham could make some signings in the January transfer window. The likes of Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba and Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly are reported targets to bolster Postecoglou's backline, while it is believed Royal Antwerp midfielder Arthur Vermereen is of interest as well.
Royal Antwerp midfielderArthur Vermeeren.
The 18-year-old, who has been likened to Barcelona legends Xavi and Andres Iniesta, has also been praised by former Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld.
"Do I sometimes watch with my mouth open? Certainly," said Alderweireld.
"Everyone knows perfectly what to do when in possession of the ball and when losing the ball. Then the qualities of such a boy come to the fore. What he shows at his age is fantastic. I have rarely seen that."
Now, journalist Graeme Bailey has joined in on the praise, calling him a "little superstar" and "special" player as Spurs make contact for him. Speaking on the Talking Transfers podcast, sharing the latest Vermeeren transfer update, he said:
“This guy is special. Antwerp have a little superstar on their hands here in Arthur Vermeeren. He really is, from what I’m being told speaking to scouts, they think he’s special. Our understanding is that Man City, Arsenal and Tottenham have all enquired about him, so have Bayern Munich, Dortmund and Juventus, Barcelona as well who looked in the summer at him."
We run the rule over the sides ahead of this year’s expanded competition
ESPNcricinfo staff21-Jul-2018Western StormCoach: Trevor Griffin Captain: Heather Knight Overseas: Stafanie Taylor (WI), Smriti Mandhana (Ind), Rachel Priest (NZ) Last season: WinnersThe 2017 champions look well-equipped once again, led by England captain Heather Knight and bolstered by new overseas signing, India batting star Smriti Mandhana. Last year’s leading run-scorer in the competition, Rachel Priest – who thrashed 72 from 36 balls in the final – returns alongside allrounder Stafanie Taylor, whose bowling was a key factor in their success. Their England contingent includes Anya Shrubsole, Player of the Match in the 2017 World Cup final, and Fran Wilson, the Middlesex batsman looking to push her claims for a T20 recall. Look out for spinner Claire Nicholas, who took eight wickets (one fewer than Taylor) and had an economy of 5.47.Southern VipersCoach: Nick Denning Captain: Suzie Bates Overseas: Bates (NZ), Mignon du Preez (SA), Amelia Kerr (NZ) Last season: Runners-upThe Vipers have reached the final in both previous editions of the tournament, winning the inaugural competition in 2016. Last year’s decider at Hove against Western Storm was Charlotte Edwards’ final match as a professional, but she has been replaced as captain by a woman of huge experience in New Zealand’s Suzie Bates – in her third season with the Vipers, and the only player other than Priest to pass 200 runs in 2017. Teenage sensation Amelia Kerr, who last month became the first cricketer to score a double-hundred and take five wickets in an ODI, comes in, while the arrival of England opener Tammy Beaumont from Surrey is only likely to strengthen the XI.Surrey StarsCoach: Richard Bedbrook Captain: Nat Sciver Overseas: Lizelle Lee (SA), Marizanne Kapp (SA), Dane van Niekerk (SA) Last season: Play-offSurrey last year became the first county to appoint a full-time women’s coach, with Richard Bedbrook stepping up after previously combining the role with that of performance manager. Their 2017 campaign, in which they finished second in the group stage before losing to third-placed Western Storm in the play-off, represented an improvement but Surrey are an ambitious club and will hope to go a couple of steps further. England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor has joined from Lancashire, which should make up for the loss of Beaumont, while their trio of South African overseas signings adds heft to the batting and bowling. In captain Nat Sciver they have one of the world’s best allrounders and last season’s leading wicket-taker.Western Storm celebrate with the trophy•Getty ImagesLoughborough LightningCoach: Rob Taylor Captain: Georgia Elwiss Overseas: Elyse Villani (Aus), Rachael Haynes (Aus), Sophie Devine (NZ) Last season: 4thLoughborough will have a big hole to fill, particularly in their batting, after Australia allrounder Ellyse Perry opted not to return for a third season at the KSL. They have also lost their leading wicket-taker from 2017, with Beth Langston joining Yorkshire, but coming in the opposite direction was canny England allrounder Jenny Gunn, who along with big-hitting New Zealander Sophie Devine and Rachael Haynes, who captained Australia during the winter’s Ashes, will add plenty of depth and international experience to the side. They have also added a couple of handy signings, with Linsey Smith – one of the stars of Vipers’ 2016 victory – and Georgia Adams heading up to the Midlands.Yorkshire DiamondsCoach: Paul Grayson Captain: Lauren Winfield Overseas: Beth Mooney (Aus), Chamari Atapattu (SL), Delissa Kimmince (Aus) Last season: 5thThere have been a number of changes at Yorkshire, with only six players involved last time out returning for 2018 as the Diamonds look to reach the knockout stage for the first time. Powerful opener Beth Mooney is back, having worn Yorkshire blue in 2016, while the presence of Chamari Atapattu and Lauren Winfield, looking to win her England place back, should mean plenty of runs from the top order. Langston’s arrival will bolster the bowling, alongside overseas signing Delissa Kimmince, Alice Davidson-Richards, who won an England call-up on the back of her performances last season, and promising legspinners Katie Levick and Helen Fenby.Lancashire ThunderCoach: Alex Blackwell Captain: Danielle Hazell Overseas: Amy Satterthwaite (NZ), Harmanpreet Kaur (Ind), Nicole Bolton (Aus) Last season: 6thThings can only get better for Lancashire, after losing five out of five to finish bottom for the second year running. They will be hoping that the arrival of former Australia international Alex Blackwell as coach can inspire a turnaround – and turn will be the order of the day, much like in the men’s T20 team, as Lancashire have a battery of spinners to deploy, led by captain and England veteran Danielle Hazell and the left-arm pair of Sophie Ecclestone and Alex Hartley, who has moved to her home county from Surrey. India’s T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur is a marquee signing and will be expected to carry the batting, while England seamer Kate Cross has a point to prove.
There isn't really any doubt, Tottenham Hotspur have been embroiled in the dog days over the past several years, not quite sinking into the murky abyss but definitely in decline after the enthralling chapter with Mauricio Pochettino in the dugout.
But the mouldering mess left by Antonio Conte last season – sacked in March; the fourth managerial dismissal in as many years – has been wiped away by Ange Postecoglou, who really has had something of a transformative effect.
Tottenham's interminable wait for silverware has not yet ended but the mood has been completely restyled, with all of the summer acquisitions promising and hinting at prosperity, and the position at the top of the Premier League table reflective of that.
Harry Kane was sold to German Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in the summer in a move that appeared to hammer home the despondency at Spurs, but his sale has not hindered the fluidity that Postecoglou has been seeking to instil and there is every possibility that the club could be in for a truly remarkable season.
The last time Spurs lost a figurehead, it took two years to reclaim a place in the Champions League, with Gareth Bale's departure a poignant day for all affiliated with Tottenham.
How good was Gareth Bale?
Bale was signed for the Lilywhites from English rivals Southampton for a £10m fee in 2007; originally a left-back, he was always blessed with blistering pace and notable dribbling skills, and while he made a slow start with Spurs – failing to win in his opening 24 Premier League games – he was converted into a more offensive role and the rest was history.
Bale plundered 71 goals and 58 assists across 236 appearances over two spells for the former White Hart Lane side, with the 111-cap Wales icon's exploits catching the attention of Real Madrid, who fiercely pursued his signature and completed a deal in 2013 worth a world record £85m.
His feats in the Spanish capital saw him play a major role in one of the most remarkable periods of Los Blancos' history, notably winning five Champions League trophies and three La Liga titles.
He is very much a sensation and will forever hold a place in the hearts of Tottenham supporters near and far, but just a few years before he was signed, Spurs could have secured the services of an even better player: Cristiano Ronaldo.
Were Tottenham interested in Cristiano Ronaldo?
According to former Tottenham striker and talent scout Ronny Rosenthal, Ronaldo was suggested for transfer before he kickstarted his unbelievable career with Manchester United.
He said that he recommended the signing but that Spurs "didn't follow it up", with the Portugal phenom ultimately completing a £12m move to Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon as an 18-year-old.
How good is Cristiano Ronaldo?
Ronaldo is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of sporting talent. A prodigy. His feats will be remembered for centuries, and he will endure eternally in the history of the great game.
Having notably won five Ballon d'Ors, five Champions Leagues, three Premier League titles, three La Liga titles and the European Championships with his nation, 'CR7' has enjoyed quite the career, scoring 736 goals and supplying 231 assists at club level.
At Manchester United, he cemented himself as one of the world's finest talents and enjoyed prolific success before transferring to Real Madrid for a world-record £80m transfer.
There are many parallels between Ronaldo's and Bale's career paths but, undoubtedly, the 38-year-old, dubbed a "genius" by FIFA member Sunday Oliseh, has eclipsed Bale's commendable career.
In the Premier League alone the 201-cap, 123-goal Portugal sensation clinched 103 goals – including a 31-goal season that won him his first Ballon d'Or, though in Spain he has obliterated standards with 450 goals and 131 assists from 438 matches for the Santiago Bernabeu side.
Ronaldo vs Bale at Real Madrid
Season
Apps
Goals
Assists
G/A
Ronaldo
17/18
44
44
8
52
Bale
17/18
39
21
7
28
Ronaldo
16/17
47
42
12
54
Bale
16/17
27
9
6
15
Ronaldo
15/16
48
51
15
66
Bale
15/16
31
19
14
33
Ronaldo
14/15
54
61
23
84
Bale
14/15
48
17
12
29
Ronaldo
13/14
47
51
17
68
Bale
13/14
44
22
19
41
Ronaldo
Total
230
249
75
324
Bale
Total
189
88
58
146
Clearly, Ronaldo was on another level even to a star of Bale's distinction, with the one-time Southampton academy graduate even dubbed a "legend of the game" by journalist Zach Lowy for his incredible contribution to one of the most glittering periods in Real Madrid's distinguished history.
Quite simply, Ronaldo's just better. A diminutive ace known as Lionel Messi is the only rival for the prodigious talent, who may be 38 years old now but remains a prolific figure with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, having scored 25 goals and provided five assists from 30 matches for the club.
One of the most deadly and destructive goal threats and an intractable force for helpless defenders, the Portuguese machine has shattered records by the score and is probably the most talented footballer to ever play in the Premier League.
Had Tottenham only followed up on that intrigue and convinced a teenage prospect of the worth in joining the Lilywhites fold down the N17, it all could have been so different.
Football – Chelsea v Manchester United 2008 Champions League Final – Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia – 07/08 – 21/5/08 (L-R) Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo, Tomasz Kuszczak, Michael Carrick, John O'Shea, Wes Brown and Darren Fletcher celebrate victory Mandatory Credit: Action Images / John Sibley
The awe that Bale struck into the hearts of the Tottenham faithful should be evidence enough of the kind of effect Ronaldo would've made, having been called “incredible” by erstwhile Red Devils teammate Gary Neville.
It's entirely conceivable that this intrinsic winner's presence at White Hart Lane would've provided the side with the fizz needed to secure silverware, with the 2008 League Cup the only major honour Tottenham have won since the turn of the millennia.
It's one to rue alright, and while the ship has steadied and actually charted a course to newfound heights under Postecoglou, that interminable wait for Spurs' silver-laden spurt could have been realised, had Cristiano Ronaldo's signature been signed.