Post-World Cup drama: What to expect the rest of summer
The 2018 men’s FIFA World Cup is over and the people who are happiest about it are the French.
The competition on the field did not live up to the expectations associated with the biggest stage of the world’s most popular sport. While it was fun that late goals decided the games, the overall level of football was simply boring.
So, what do football fans have to look forward to post-World Cup?
The players will be happy to take some time off and relax before the fuss takes off again with club competition, but this is the best time for journalists and fans for one reason: the transfer window.
Sports fans in the U.S. know how wild offseasons can be, mainly thanks to the NBA — but Europe seems to be getting its own taste of “offseason madness.”
If you think LeBron James taking his talents to Los Angeles sounds big, Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid and going to Turin is colossal. Both greats have been expected to change where it is they call home, but LA was the top destination for King James. I don’t think anyone saw CR7’s move to Juventus coming before it was all said and done. What a shocker!
Honestly, I’m only sad for Gianluigi Buffon, who might have missed his final chance to put his precious hands on the Champions League trophy as he ended his 17-year reign in Turin to join Paris Saint-Germain.
That wasn’t the only bad news for Buffon, as just recently, Alisson Becker took over his title as the most expensive goalkeeper in history. Liverpool, which had more than its fair share of trouble in the position last year, bought the Brazilian goalkeeper from Roma for 62 million euros plus add-ons.
The moves should keep coming, as Los Blancos will be on the hunt to replace one of the greatest players ever. The club is rumored to be going after talents such as Mohamed Salah, Neymar and Eden Hazard. Reports say Real Madrid and Chelsea have been in close talks for both Hazard and Thibaut Courtois. Stay tuned for a domino effect after Ronaldo’s transfer.
Rumors also say Ronaldo might not be the only one leaving the Spanish capital, as Metro Sport reported that he asked Juve to sign his buddy from Madrid, Marcelo Vieira. Gareth Bale’s incredible bicycle kick to seal the Champions League final might also be his final match for Los Blancos, as José Mourinho and Manchester United are reported to be interested in the Welshman.
In a time when any transfer is a threat to break a record in terms of fees, it’s also just fun to speculate, whether it becomes real or not.
But one thing is for sure — Real Madrid is nowhere near winning a fourth consecutive Champions League title after losing its former manager Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and possibly more.
It is definitely set to be a more exciting season with quite a few unknowns.
Contact Can Sariöz at csarioz@dailycal.org. Follow him on Twitter @can_sarioz