Manchester United announced on Tuesday that striker Cristiano Ronaldo would be leaving the team immediately, at the bitter end of his second spell at Old Trafford, after saying he felt betrayed by the club.
“Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United with immediate effect by mutual consent. The club would like to thank Ronaldo for his tremendous contribution during his two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wish him and his family well for the future.”
The club’s decision to waive the legendary player comes after a sensational television interview he conducted last week in which he said he felt “betrayed” by club officials and had no respect for the 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 consent with immediate effect,” the club said in a statement, nearly six months before his contract expired.
During his inspiring interview, Ronaldo, who made his name at Old Trafford in his early years between 2003 and 2009, said he felt “betrayed” by United, that he believed senior figures at the club were trying to to overthrow him and that ” I have no respect for him (the manager) because he shows no respect for me”.
Ronaldo indicated he was surprised that the club’s young players didn’t take him as an example and indicated that they listen to his instructions and, after two minutes, forget them and do what they think is best, adding that some don’t care , and because of this he sees that it is impossible for them to take a long walk, without naming whom he was referring to.
Following the interview, the club released a statement at the time saying, “Manchester United have followed up on media coverage relating to an interview conducted by Cristiano Ronaldo. The club will consider a response after confirming all the facts.” amid speculation that his club career is about to 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, manager Eric Ten Hag and all the owners of the club.
In the summer of 2021, Ronaldo rejoined Manchester United from Juventus, Italy, having left in 2009 for Real Madrid, Spain, following an initial spell starting in 2003, during which he won the Premier League title three times English, and the 2008 European Champions League in the year in which he was crowned for the first time with the Ballon d’Or, the first of five.
However, the results with his return have not been what he wanted, as the team finished sixth last season, in which Ronaldo was the top goalscorer with 24 goals in all competitions, and thus failed to qualify for the Champions League.
According to media outlets and close associates, he tried to leave Old Trafford over the summer for this reason.
His role in the ‘Red Devils’ squad has diminished since Ajax Amsterdam’s Ten Hag took charge last May, and this season he has been punished with a suspension from the Chelsea match for refusing to join as a substitute in the match against Tottenham.
But his latest attack went further, also criticizing the club’s owners, the American Glazer family, claiming that they “didn’t care” about the team’s sporting success, which heralded the beginning of his end with the team.
