Manchester United announced Tuesday that striker Cristiano Ronaldo will leave the team immediately, at the bitter end of his second spell at Old Trafford, following saying he felt betrayed by the club.
“Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United with immediate effect by mutual consent,” United said in a statement. “The club would like to thank Ronaldo for his enormous contribution during his two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future.”
The club’s decision to dispense with the legendary player comes following a resounding television interview that the latter conducted, last week, in which he said that he felt “betrayed” by club officials, and that he had no respect for Dutch coach Eric ten Hag, which caused great anger among his fellow players. According to press reports.
“Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United by mutual agreement with immediate effect,” the club said in a statement, nearly six months before the end of his contract.
During his exciting interview, Ronaldo, who made his name at Old Trafford in his early years between 2003 and 2009, said that he felt “betrayed” by United, that he believed that prominent figures in the club were trying to overthrow him and that “I have no respect for him (the coach) because he does not appear No respect for me.”
Ronaldo indicated that he was surprised that the young club players did not take him as an example, and indicated that they listen to his instructions, and following two minutes, they forget them and do what they think is best, adding that some do not care, and for this reason he sees that it is impossible for them to have a long walk, without naming who he was referring to.
After the interview, the club issued a statement at the time saying, “Manchester United has followed the media coverage regarding an interview conducted by Cristiano Ronaldo. The club will consider a response following confirming the full facts,” amid speculation that his career in the club is nearing its end and he will leave early next year in the winter transfer market. .
However, press reports had revealed that the interview angered his former and current colleagues, coach Eric Ten Hag, and all club owners.
In the summer of 2021, Ronaldo returned to Manchester United from Juventus, Italy, following he left him in 2009 to Real Madrid, Spain, following a first period that began in 2003, during which he won the English Premier League title three times, and the European Champions League 2008 in the year in which he was crowned with the Golden Ball award for the first time. The first out of five.
However, the results with his return were not what he wanted, as the team finished sixth last season, in which Ronaldo was the best scorer with 24 goals in all competitions, and thus failed to qualify for the Champions League.
According to media and close associates, he tried to leave Old Trafford during the summer for this reason.
His role in the “Red Devils” squad has declined since Ten Hag, who came from Ajax Amsterdam, took charge last May, and this season he was punished by being suspended from the Chelsea match for refusing to enter as a substitute in the confrontation once morest Tottenham.
But his latest attack went further as he also criticized the club’s owners, the American Glazer family, claiming that they “didn’t care” regarding the team’s sporting success, which marked the beginning of his end with the team.
