Could Ronaldo exit be a blessing in disguise for Real?

Less than two weeks after Cristiano Ronaldo inspired them to feeling on top of the world, Real Madrid were brought back down to earth with a bang by Friday’s front page of Portuguese sports paper A Bola.

Tellingly there has been no denial directly from the club or sources close to Real that Ronaldo has in A Bola’s words taken the “irreversible decision” to leave Madrid after being slapped with tax fraud charges totalling 14.7 million euros by Spanish prosecutors earlier this week.

Ronaldo believes he has been made an example of by the tax authorities and, more damningly for his future at the Bernabeu, feels the club haven’t done enough to protect him.

Madrid released a statement backing their star, asking for justice to be done “so that his innocence can be proven as soon as possible.”

Real Madrid 'won't stand in Ronaldo's way

 Real Madrid will not keep Cristiano Ronaldo against his will and could be prepared to sell their star forward during the summer according to reports in Spain.

Ronaldo has sent shockwaves through the sport after reports in Portugal stated he is desperate to leave Spain in the wake of tax fraud allegations and his decision is “irreversible.”

The Portuguese superstar is said to be angry over claims by authorities that he defrauded the Spanish authorities of €14.7million, which he refutes.

The news has alerted a number of top clubs across Europe and speculation has already started over which club could clinch his signature during the summer.