Where are they now? A ‘new Ronaldo’ for every year since 2008

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most singular footballing talents of all time. But that hasn’t stopped pundits from predicting the ‘next CR7’ whenever they can.

Over the last 15 years, a raft of promising youngsters — some better than others — have been compared to the legendary Portuguese forward. A few have shown glimpses of genius; others have done a Fabio Paim.

Could any of this lot reach the heights of the real Cristiano Ronaldo?

In the summer of 2008, Cristiano Ronaldo had just won the Champions League with Manchester United, scoring a towering header in the final against Chelsea.

That same year, Real Madrid signed a 16-year-old Brazilian midfielder named Alipio Duarte Brandao.

According to the Daily Mail, fans of Portuguese club Rio Ave claimed Alipio “was the most promising player to emerge in Portuguese football since Manchester United star Ronaldo came through the ranks at Sporting Lisbon”.

Madrid defender Pepe added that Alipio had “a spectacular talent”.

But the midfielder failed to make a first-team appearance at the Bernabeu and ended up playing for clubs in the UAE, Cyprus and Greece before moving to Brazilian second-tier side Fortaleza.

Now 29, he has scored 14 career league goals and is currently unattached.

Ronaldo left Manchester United in 2009. His No.7 was taken by Michael Owen, but those at United hoped various promising youngsters might fill the giant void in attack.

After Federico Macheda scored a dramatic debut goal for the club in April, former Lazio youth coach Volfango Patarca likened the Italian striker to Ronaldo.

“He was the real jewel of Lazio’s youth team,” Patarca explained. “He is tall and languid, speedy too, and that is a rarity — Federico definitely resembles Ronaldo.”

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