In an interview with DigiSport, Romanian club Steaua Bucharest owner Gigi Becali likened the Everton-linked Octavian Popescu to Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 18-year-old Romanian winger has scored nine goals and has three assists for Steaua Bucharest in 33 appearances in all competitions this season. The club owner claimed that Popescu was just like Ronaldo at a young age and had everything required to succeed as a footballer.
The Portuguese was brought in as an 18-year-old winger from Sporting Lisbon by Manchester United in 2003. He developed his physique and quickly became one of the most exciting players in the world.
Becali backed Popescu to follow the same kind of trajectory, saying:
“He reminds me of Cristiano Ronaldo at the beginning of his career. Physically, (he has) everything. He is a player who has a great future ahead of him. He has to go to another league where he can also develop his physique. I’ve never seen a player like him in Romania.”
He added:
“There is no official offer at this point. I don’t think Benfica has the money to buy him. I’ll never be able to sell Tavi for his real value. I think he’s worth between 100 and 150 million. But (I may have to) sell him at half price – at 50 million euros (£42 million).”
While Popescu has been likened to Ronaldo, Becali has a history of over-praising his stars when it comes time to ship them off. He previously compared Olimpiui Morutan to Lionel Messi and Florinel Coman to Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
It will be interesting to see if Popescu can live up to the hype created by his current club's owner.
Manchester United set to sign players in the same mould as Cristiano Ronaldo in 2003?
Regardless, Manchester United have made the announcement of Erik Ten Hag as their new manager. They will now be looking to bring about a change in their transfer approach.
The past few years have seen a plethora of scouting errors and high-profile signings that have simply not worked. The players signed do not necessarily fit in with any particular philosophy. Hence, the Red Devils have failed to look like a team for a majority of this campaign.
Earlier, the club was known to promote youngsters from the academy or elsewhere who would go on to develop as world-class stars. Quite a few critics and supporters have called for younger, hungrier players to be signed who can complement the talent that is already at the club.
Manchester United are finally expected to give a manager enough time and support to bring his own vision to reality with ten Hag. The past few years have seen a plethora of world-class managers being sacked before they can build their own teams. This includes the likes of Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The coming time may prove to be the most exciting since Sir Alex Ferguson's days at Old Trafford.
GabiBarbu99
2
I see only facts
Nitro11
1
Ronaldo is the best player in all the planet
Freshhh
0
Delete this message
bakcdmnuy
0
person that approved this news is mad 😡 and stupid
RipRoz
0
This guy has the old generation of players in new avatar's. 😄
Slim2dor
0
This guy always says that about his players, Dw, he has another 18 y/o , Stoica, who he said is the new Messi. He just wants money.
nikeklor
0
CR 7 stay at man nut without u man nut always losing the game stay stay stay ......
Ezenko1
0
anyone can be Ronaldo but no one MESSI
Stop exposing your stupidity
Womabcdnpr
0
People just wake up and speak trash. You didn’t see Rashford auber sterling but you’re comparing someone to Ronaldo what a joke
Veaablnoyz
0
naso una compare zaha to Ronaldo last time oo
[image]
but Zaha good nah
latelmno
1
Ronaldo goat
fizzbizzie
1
anyone can b compare to Ronaldo but no to MESSI and is because MESSI is the best number 10 beat11 beat 9 and best 7 a real and natural magician
Yet they mentioned that he compared a certain player to Messi in the past
fizzbizzie
4
anyone can be Ronaldo but no one MESSI
Learn to read, he compared one of his players to Messi.. Plus anyone can go to 6th league at age 34 and score 3 goals but no one can go to epl at 37 and score two hattrick in one month for a top club in epl
Vowcilt
0
Messi be like what of me
[image]
anyone can b compare to Ronaldo but no to MESSI and is because MESSI is the best number 10 beat11 beat 9 and best 7 a real and natural magician
20231Creme”
2
This is comparison, it is a recommendation and relevance, setting the precedent and same upcoming
Vowcilt
0
anyone can be Ronaldo but no one MESSI
cedabdkstu
1
Messi be like what of me
jaymap
0
oooh please. you're full of comparisons. Messi n Cr7 shouldn't be compared to anyone until further notice.
Teehefkay
0
the boy's picture didn't even make the article. poor poor poor
Hitelmnsy
2
MESSi
Abubakarsalibawaje
1
naso una compare zaha to Ronaldo last time oo
Adil20176
5
No one can ever become like Ronaldo
dave2080
3
interesting
Mahaklmrsu
5
waw may he achieved what cr7 has achieved in his carrier