Speculation over Cristiano Ronaldo’s intention to leave Real Madrid this summer has rocked the football world and we asked who his replacement could be.
The Portuguese superstar has netted a mind-boggling 406 times in 394 official appearances for Los Blancos since his switch from Manchester United in 2009 and has strengthened his claim to be one of the game’s greatest ever players.
Of course, having signed a new long-term deal at the Bernabeu in November and with speculation he could face trial for tax evasion, he may yet stay at Madrid but who could possibly replace him in Madrid’s team?
We suggested Monaco’s teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe could be an option for the Champions League holders, while they have also been linked with a move for Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.
Antoine Griezmann and Robert Lewandowski are two other superstar forwards who have previously had their names linked to the club, while Gareth Bale – who faces competition for his own place from Isco and Marco Asensio – could yet take over Ronaldo’s mantle.
The results of our poll showed 18-year-old Mbappe (32%) as the number one choice, edging out Hazard (24%) as the preferred replacement.
Less than one in five (18%) thought in-house replacement Bale should be considered while Lewandowski (12%) and Griezmann (6%) made up the vote, along with 8% who felt another player should be considered.
Are Espana readers predictions accurate? The front page of Monday’s Marca suggests French starlet Mbappe has decided upon a move to Madrid but make sure to follow Football Espana for all the summer’s breaking developments.
Results:
32% – Kylian Mbappe (Monaco)
24% – Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
18% – Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
12% – Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
8% – Others
6% – Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
