Cristiano Ronaldo hopes to leave Real Madrid

Amid tax-fraud allegations, Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly wants to leave Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo led Real Madrid to the La Liga and Champions League titles this season. He is now reportedly saying he wants to leave the club.

The world’s highest paid athlete has been accused of tax-fraud by Spanish authorities to the tune of $16 million. According to the Spanish outlet Marca, Ronaldo is “hurt and angry” by the accusations and doesn’t want to play his soccer in Spain any longer.

He also cited the media, lack of support from his club, and wanting a new challenge as reasons for leaving the Spanish giants.

Ronaldo’s statement will no doubt come as a shock to soccer fans all over the world. While 32 years old is considered old in soccer terms, Ronaldo is still in his prime and has shown no signs of slowing down. He scored 12 goals and provided five assists in Champions League play while notching 25 La Liga goals and adding six assists this season.

He went on a tear in the knockout rounds of the Champions League, carrying his club to the final. At one point he scored back to back hat tricks before providing a title-clinching brace against Juventus in the final.

So if Ronaldo actually leaves Real Madrid, where could he end up? Obviously, he can pretty much go to any club in the world. Marca echoed the long-time rumor of him returning to Manchester United, the club where he first broke onto the global stage.

Although a move to another of the most famous soccer clubs in the world seems the most likely, people aren’t hesitating to throw out the possibility of Ronaldo coming to MLS. The rumor has been around for a few years, but realistically the move feels like it would come further down the road, if ever. It’s safe to assume that Ronaldo will play for a club that will continue to give him a shot at the Champions League trophy.

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Nothing is official. It may just be a heated reaction to his current situation. It feels like there is still a strong chance Ronaldo suits up for Real Madrid come August.