Former Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo had started misbehaving and irritating everyone at the club long before Erik ten Hag’s arrival.
Ronaldo left the club under bitter circumstances after granting a public interview to Piers Morgan, where he blasted the club, Ten Hag and his teammates.
United deemed the interview too venomous and so moved to end their relationship with the 37-year-old.
Publico reports that the interview was the final straw that led to Ronaldo and Jorge Mendes’ relationship breaking down.
For the first time, Mendes was not involved in Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr with the ally of many years not even kept in the loop.
Mendes strongly advised Ronaldo against the interview but the striker ignored him and pressed ahead – a move that has now backfired in spectacular fashion for the Portuguese.
Publico details that Ronaldo’s misbehaviour however started long before the unfortunate interview and can be dated as far back as when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left the club and Ralf Rangnick took over.
United however kept quiet and refused to divulge details about Ronaldo’s repetitive misdemeanors to the public.
Ronaldo however met his match in Ten Hag who refused to indulge his petulance before sanctioning his release from the club’s books.
Publico adds that Ronaldo went into the World Cup hopeful of dominating and proving his doubters wrong, in an effort to get Europe’s elite to come begging.
It did not go according to plan. Ronaldo only scored one goal, a penalty and his poor performances and child-like behaviour saw him lose his place in the team to Goncalo Ramos.
“He [Ronaldo] arrived in Qatar with the normal performance for a 38-year-old without rhythm and, worse than that, replicating the behaviour of Manchester United.”
“Players and FPF hushed up almost everything, but the captain was a constant source of irritation, especially after Portugal-South Korea and quickly accelerating the inflammatory after Uruguay-Portugal.”
In addition to his behaviour in the Portugal camp, Ronaldo also got in bed with Ricardo Regufe, a close ally of his who also worked for the Selecao.
Regufe’s handling of both the Portuguese and Ronaldo’s camps created a strange climate and a lack of clarity.
Speaking at his Al-Nassr presentation, Ronaldo confirmed that there were offers from Europe – something Publico refutes vehemently.
The publication reports that Mendes knew that the European market was closing rapidly for the ageing Ronaldo and only United were willing to have him in their ranks.
A hot-headed Ronaldo however refused to come to terms with his reality.
What can Cristiano Ronaldo expect from Saudi Pro League football?
Ronaldo’s move to the Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, however, signals a step into the unknown.
Cristiano Ronaldo poses with the Al Nassr jersey after joining the Saudi Arabian club. Image: Twitter/AlNassr
As Cristiano Ronaldo was quick to point out, he has spent his storied career playing for the “most important” clubs in Europe.
That also meant playing in the most popular leagues in the world in England, Spain, and Italy for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
His move to the Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, however, signals a step into the unknown.
The Saudi Pro League is unlikely to have been on the radar of the majority of his loyal following, but it is where the next and likely last chapter of his career will be played out after signing a 2 1-2 -year contract with Al Nassr.
He will also hope to compete in the Asian Champions League next season if his new club qualifies for the biggest competition in Asian football.
“In Europe my work is done,” Ronaldo said when presented by Al Nassr in Riyadh on Tuesday.
But what can the 37-year-old five-time Champions League winner expect from Saudi football?
“I know the league is very competitive. People don’t know that, but I know because I saw many games,” he said.
He joins a team that is aiming to become Saudi champions for the 10th time, having last won the title in 2019.
The Saudi Pro League, in its current guise, was established in 2008, but the competition dates to 1976. Current champion Al Hilal is the most successful team, having won 18 titles and four Asian Champions Leagues.
Like Al Nassr, it is also based in the Saudi capital of Riyadh and was linked with a move for Ronaldo. While Saudi football may not be widely watched in the western world, it is hugely popular in Arabic countries.
More than 1.25 million spectators attended matches in the 2021-22 season, according to official statistics, with a television audience of more than 215 million during that campaign.
And Ronaldo is not the only international player to make his way to Saudi Arabia, with Brazilian former Bayern Munich midfielder Luiz Gustavo already at Al Nassr, as well as ex-Arsenal and Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina.
Former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo plays for Al Hilal.
Ever Banega, who has played for Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Inter Milan and Sevilla, is now at Al Shabab.
Statistics produced last year stated the league of 16 teams has 128 international players.
But none as big as Ronaldo.
“Cristiano is one of the best players in the world. In the history of football he is a legend,” Al Nassr coach Rudi Garcia said on Tuesday. “It is an honor for sure for me, but also for Al Nassr to welcome Cristiano.”
Saudi officials and fans will hope Ronaldo’s arrival prompts more elite players to follow in his footsteps — and that could be his lasting legacy beyond whatever trophies he wins in his time in the country.
Source: thepeoplesperson.com; firstpost.com
