LAFC Wants To Sign Cristiano Ronaldo And Wayne Rooney
By Pablo Jacobo
LAFC doesn’t begin their season until 2018 but they are looking to make a big splash before their debut season as they look to pair ex-Manchester United duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
A report from the Mirror surfaced this week stating LAFC are “obsessed” with signing Real Madrid Star Ronaldo. To make the rumors even juicier, the report also mentions that the LA club wants to pair Rooney with the 30-year-old soccer stud.
The two footballers were teammates with Manchester United. The duo was one of the most lethal duos not only in the EPL but the whole soccer spectrum. In 2008 they won the Champion’s League, Community Shield and their 17th EPL title.
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Through various reports in the soccer world both players have expressed interest in joining the MLS at some point. The MLS has already brought in Kaka, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Andrea Pirlo and now Giovani dos Santos. The league is expanding and growing in popularity at a rapid rate.
I would not put it by Magic Johnson to make a huge splash in any transfer market. He’s been part of successful runs with the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The LAFC regime will have massive amounts of cash to splurge on both players. Ronaldo and Rooney would be a huge coup for the new LA-based MLS franchise.
Aug 2, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) during the second half against the Manchester United at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
A Sports Illustrated report by Grant Wahl said that Ronaldo preferred to play in Los Angeles if he joined the MLS. His contract runs until 2018 when LAFC is scheduled to start their season. Also the World Cup will be played during the same year in Russia. Ronaldo will be a free agent.
Rooney on the other hand, was asked by the Seattle Times while Manchester United was competing in the International Champion’s Cup if he’d consider the MLS. The 29-year-old Red Devil responded that he is committed to the Old Trafford squad. But “When that time comes, that’ll be something I think about. (I’ll) sit down with my wife and children and decide if it would be right for me.”
Rooney signed a contract extension in 2014 with Man U. His contract ties him to the club until 2019. He would be in his early 30’s by the time he could potentially move to the MLS. By that time, who knows how many more stars would be plying their trade in the U.S. The MLS has already snagged young stars like the aforementioned 26-year old dos Santos, Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore.
LAFC will be unveiling their brand new stadium at the same time. LA’s new team wants to start their season with a bang. In May 2015, the club announced their plan to build a 22,000-seat stadium in South Los Angeles next to the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.
May 18, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Artist rendering of the Los Angeles Football Club proposed 22,000 seat soccer stadium at the site of the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Ronaldo’s capture could be bigger than David Beckham’s arrival to the Los Angeles Galaxy. Cristiano has built a brand with his excellent skills, merchandise and sex appeal. His arrival in the second largest market in the United States could see his brand increase exponentially. At the moment he is the LeBron James of the world. All he needs is to conquer the U.S. market.
Don’t sleep on the LA Galaxy for Ronaldo and/or Rooney. Their two stars Gerrard and Robbie Keane will be up there in age by 2018. They may look to reload as well. They won’t want to be out shown in their city. Who knows, maybe Lionel Messi may decide to join the MLS too?
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Rumors are always fun especially in the city of Los Angeles, but where there is smoke, there is fire. As a soccer fan, it will awesome to see both Ronaldo and Rooney play in LA. The former Man U tandem will be in their early 30’s and would have enough gas in the tank to play at a high level.
With the possible return of the NFL to tinsel town along with a brand new soccer franchise the city will be buzzing once again. Two stadiums, possibly three new venues in Los Angeles, which could set the city up for the return of the Olympics to LA. It’s a Win-Win situation from all angles.