“Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid is a landmark transfer in many ways. Financially speaking, at a credit crunch-busting £80 million it is the most expensive transfer in world football history. In terms of precedent it is huge. As one of the biggest clubs in football it is almost unheard for a player at the top of his game to want to leave Old Trafford, let alone for Sir Alex Ferguson to allow it. But Ronaldo’s move to the Bernabeu is also ground-breaking in another sense. It is hugely important in terms of what it represents for world football because it symbolises a new era, a seismic shift. In terms of worldwide glamour and appeal it represents the passing of the baton from England to Spain.” (albion road)