Grimacing in pain from his bruised cheekbone, Cristiano Ronaldo steadied himself before scoring from the penalty spot for his first goal in Saudi Arabia against a Paris Saint-Germain team featuring old foe Lionel Messi. Messi had already scored early in Thursday's exhibition game when Ronaldo was flattened boxing-match style by PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas after about 30 minutes in Riyadh, the city which gained sporting prominence for hosting a world heavyweight championship boxing bout in 2019. It wasn't Anthony Joshua but Navas who caught Ronaldo flush in the face with his forearm under a high ball. Read more: The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award 2022 Power Ranking Both went down like felled boxers. Ronaldo held his head, got back up, did a wide yawn as if to test his sore left cheek, and sent his former Real Madrid teammate Navas the wrong way. By the end of the first half Ronaldo's cheekbone was bright apple red but he was all smiles after netting his second goal, smashing in a rebound when his header came back off the post. Poking his tongue out, Ronaldo wheeled away in delight and was mobbed by teammates at the corner flag. When PSG star Kylian Mbappé checked on the state of Ronaldo’s cheek just before the second half, Ronaldo milked the attention from France's World Cup star and pointed to the red mark. Mbappé smiled at him as if to say “You’ll be fine” and Ronaldo raised his arm in triumph like a heavyweight champion. Messi’s Qatari-backed PSG won 5-4 against a combined XI of Saudi Arabian teams Al Nassr and Al Hilal, captained by Al Nassr’s new signing Ronaldo, in front of 68,000 fans at King Fahd International Stadium. Although his team lost, Ronaldo edged perhaps the final instalment of Ronaldo vs. Messi as one of the greatest rivalries in soccer history resumed in an unusual location. Messi's shot led to a handball and PSG's fourth goal, scored by Mbappé from the penalty spot. Ronaldo came off to a huge ovation just after the hour mark followed by Mbappé and Argentina's World Cup-winning star Messi, who was warmly hugged by countryman Marcelo Gallardo, coaching the combined Saudi Arabian team. Ronaldo’s bruise darkened with the night sky as he collected his man of the match award. He was locked in conversation with ex-Madrid teammates Sergio Ramos and Navas before the medal ceremony. Then he spoke to Portugal teammates Renato Sanches and Danilo, who play for PSG. But Ronaldo was nowhere near Messi, almost like they avoided each other. They couldn't do that earlier on the field, when Ronaldo tackled Messi in the second minute. Moments later, Messi smiled as he scored from Neymar’s lofted pass. Ronaldo looked annoyed with his teammates for letting Messi ghost into space. Harsh, because few defenders have ever tracked Messi’s runs, let alone stopped them. The World Cup proved that, if it was ever in doubt. There was scant interaction between former Madrid star Ronaldo and Messi, his arch rival during Barcelona's glory days. It was Ronaldo who tentatively approached an impassive-looking Messi at the center circle seconds before the whistle blew to start perhaps their final game as opponents. There was a polite exchange, the briefest handshake. Messi stared at Ronaldo late in the first half, after PSG defender Juan Bernat had been sent off, and Ronaldo seemed to look away from Messi. It was a different mood in the tunnel beforehand, when a grinning Ronaldo hugged Ramos, who now plays alongside Messi, and joked with Ramos that he’d forgotten to remove an ear stud. The laugh was on Ramos later, when he air-kicked a loose ball on Ronaldo’s second goal. PSG's Neymar also missed, from the penalty spot. Read more: Rashford scores again as Man United beat Man City 2-1 The atmosphere built before the start as fans waved Argentina flags while others held up the yellow jersey of Al Nassr, pointing proudly to Ronaldo’s No. 7 on the back. The ticker tape poured from the stands as Ronaldo led his team out. He smiled and winked when he got a loud ovation. Ronaldo could end his storied career in Riyadh after signing a deal worth a reported $200 million a year, swapping Europe’s elite club competition for the Asian Champions League. He makes his Saudi league debut for Al Nassr on Sunday against Ettifaq, far from the fields where he shone for Manchester United and Madrid. INTENSE RIVALRY The Messi-Ronaldo rivalry has been among the greatest ever. Between them they have 12 Ballon d’Or awards — Messi a record seven, Ronaldo five — and have won a combined 56 major trophies. Ronaldo won the Champions League five times, compared to Messi’s four. Messi is the all-time “El Clasico” top scorer with 26 goals for Barca, eight more than Ronaldo for Madrid. Ronaldo won the European Championship in 2016 but Messi was brilliant in Argentina’s Copa America win in 2021 and its 2022 World Cup success. Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in men’s international soccer with 118 goals, while Messi’s seven at the World Cup took him to third overall with 98.

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 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 soccer. “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 soccer? “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. Read more: Ronaldo joins Saudi Club Al Nassr: End of an Era in European Football 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 soccer 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." Read more: Ronaldo's career at Manchester United may be over 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.

Cristiano Ronaldo has just completed a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, but made a slip up during his official presentation in Riyadh on Tuesday when mistakenly saying he had “come to South Africa.” Perhaps the Portugal great was disorientated by the whirlwind nature of his arrival at his new club, which saw him fly out to Saudi on Monday night, before undergoing a medical the next morning and then being greeted by thousands of cheering fans at Al Nassr’s Mrsool Park stadium. “For me it is not the end of my career to come to South Africa,” Ronaldo said at a news conference before stepping out on the field at the 25,000 capacity stadium. “I really don’t worry about what people say. I took my decision and I have responsibility to change that, but for me I’m really, really happy to be here.” After what was clearly a slip of the tongue, Ronaldo went on to outline his reasons for joining Al Nassr and said he had turned down “many clubs” around the world to complete one of the most surprising moves in soccer history. Read more: Ronaldo joins Saudi Club Al Nassr: End of an Era in European Football “I want to give a different vision of this country and football. This is why I took this opportunity,” he said. “I know the league is very competitive. People don’t know that, but I know because I saw many games,” Ronaldo has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract to play in the Saudi Pro League and will reportedly earn up to $200 million a year. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward also said is ready to play straight away with Al Nassr facing Al Ta’ee on Thursday. However, the 37-year-old Ronaldo was handed a two-match suspension by the English Football Association in November for knocking a mobile phone out of the hand of a supporter after a game against Everton last April. Read more: Ronaldo offered $225 million from Saudi club Al Nassr after Manchester United exit He had already left United by the time of the ruling, but the FA said the suspension would be transferred to any new club.

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers of all time. His career has been remarkable, with numerous titles and records to his name. Since starting his professional career in 2002, this Portuguese footballer has constantly proved his talent in international games. Ronaldo's recent transfer to Saudi Club Al Nassr FC has surprised his fans as well as soccer enthusiasts around the world. Let’s explore Ronaldo’s eventful football career along with his triumphs, accolades, and milestones.  Overview of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Club Career In his 20 years of soccer career Ronaldo has played with six different clubs and has been successful with all of them. In this section, we are going to highlight Ronaldo’s performance in clubs. Although he played for Sporting CP B and Sporting CP from 2022 to 2023, we are not covering his performance on these clubs as he did not have any significant achievements with these Portuguese clubs. Manchester United (2003-2009) Cristiano Ronaldo began his top-class football career in the year 2003 when he joined Manchester United, which was managed by Sir Alex Ferguson at the time. Ronaldo made an immediate impact in his first season with the club. He scored his first Premier League goal for Manchester United with a free-kick in a 3–0 win over Portsmouth on November 1. He ended the season with six goals, and he also scored the winning goal in the 2004 FA Cup Final against Millwall. Read More: Pele: The Greatest Football Legend of All Time During his time at Manchester United, Ronaldo won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one UEFA Champions League title, and one FIFA Club World Cup title. He also won the Ballon d’Or award in 2008, becoming the first-ever Manchester United player to win the prestigious award after 1968. Real Madrid (2009-2018) In 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo transferred to Real Madrid for a world record transfer fee of £80 million. In his first season at the club, Ronaldo scored 33 goals in all competitions and was an integral part of the team that put them in the second position with 96 points. During his nine-year stint at Real Madrid, Ronaldo won two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey titles, four UEFA Champions League titles, and three FIFA Club World Cup titles. He also achieved numerous individual awards, such as the Ballon d’Or awards in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. He set a record for the most goals scored in a single La Liga season with 48 goals in the 2014-15 season. Read More: Who will win Ballon d'Or 2023? Juventus (2018-2021) In 2018, Cristiano Ronaldo transferred to Juventus for a transfer fee of £88 million. In his first season at the club, Ronaldo scored 28 goals in all competitions and was part of the team that won the Serie A title. He has also won the Serie A title, the Coppa Italia, and the Supercoppa Italiana during his time at Juventus. He has also been awarded the inaugural Serie A Most Valuable Player. Manchester United (2021-2022) Ronaldo joined Manchester United again in 2021. However, he did not have any significant achievements in the last season with Manchester. But he scored 24 goals in 39 appearances. Among these, he appeared in 7 Champion League games and scored 6 goals. Achievements and Awards Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved numerous awards and accolades during his illustrious career at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. He has won five Ballon d’Or awards, four UEFA Best Player in Europe awards, five UEFA Champions League titles, and three Premier League titles. Read More: Top 10 Highest Paid Footballers in the World in 2022 He has also been named FIFA Men’s Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017. And he is the all-time top scorer in the UEFA Champions League with 141 goals. He is also the all-time leading goal scorer for Real Madrid, with 451 goals in 438 appearances. Overall, Cristiano Ronaldo has had an illustrious career with numerous achievements and awards. He has made a name for himself as one of the greatest footballers of all time. After completing his long, eventful career in Europe, Ronaldo now joined the Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr in 2022.

Less than two weeks after his great rival Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo has completed a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr and likely signalled the end of his career in elite club soccer. In agreeing a contract until 2025, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has ended speculation about his future after having his contract terminated by Manchester United last month. “I am fortunate that I have won everything I set out to win in European football and feel now that this is the right moment to share my experience in Asia,” Ronaldo said. Al Nassr described the deal as “history in the making,” however, it is likely to raise questions about Ronaldo’s ambition at this stage of his career. While Messi finally won the one major trophy that had evaded the two men widely regarded as the greatest players of their generation, after leading Argentina to the World Cup in Qatar, Ronaldo will be playing outside of top level European soccer for the first time in his career. Media reports have claimed the 37-year-old Portugal international could earn up to $200 million a year from the move, but he will miss out on the chance to extend his record as the all-time leading scorer in the Champions League with his record currently standing at 140 goals. Messi is on 129 goals in the competition. Ronaldo is also unlikely to add to his Ballon d’Or collection - the trophy awarded to the best player in the world. Meanwhile, Messi will be among the favourites to win that trophy for an eighth time next year after his World Cup triumph. He also has the chance to win the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, having lifted European club soccer’s biggest prize on four occasions with Barcelona. Ronaldo won the Champions League five times during spells with United and Real Madrid. Six months ago Ronaldo wanted to join a team playing in the Champions League after United failed to qualify for this season’s competition. Read more: Cristiano Ronaldo bids adieu to the World Cup However, a move never materialized, with the most serious interest in him coming from an unnamed Saudi Arabian club. It is not known what other serious offers were made after he became a free agent last month, but the move to Al Nassr represents a significant step down compared to the level he has operated at throughout his career. Still it is a major coup for soccer in the Middle East and will add to the debate over Saudi Arabia’s attempts to use so-called “sportswashing” to improve its reputation internationally after its sovereign wealth fund led a buyout of Premier League club Newcastle United last year. “This is more than history in the making. This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves,” Al Nassr posted on social media. Ronaldo remains one of soccer’s biggest global icons, but the move comes at a time when he has faced questions over his ability to still produce his best form at the highest level. He managed just three goals for United in 16 games this season, with one of those coming from the penalty spot. He became the first male player to score in five World Cups with his penalty in Portugal’s 3-2 win against Ghana in Qatar, but ended the tournament having been dropped for his country’s last two games before going out to Morocco in the quarterfinals. By comparison Messi inspired Argentina’s third World Cup triumph, scoring seven goals, including two in the 4-2 penalty shootout win against France in the final after a 3-3 draw through extra time. Ronaldo and Messi have had their achievements compared throughout their careers. Messi’s World Cup win saw him emulate soccer greats Pele and Diego Maradona by lifting the sport’s biggest prize. Read more: Ronaldo's career at Manchester United may be over To many, it will also have given him the edge in his personal rivalry with Ronaldo. And at the age of 35, he still has time to further embellish his career in top level soccer. Meanwhile, Ronaldo has earned headlines in recent months for his antics away from the field. He was dropped and made to train away from United’s first team when refusing to come on as a substitute in a game against Tottenham in October. He then conducted an explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which he criticized manager Erik ten Hag and United’s owners the Glazer family. It led to the termination of his contract, his eventual move to Al Nassr and the next chapter of his career away from the glare of top flight European soccer.

Portuguese sensation Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly agreed to sign a mega deal with Saudi Arabian-based club Al Nassr, reports popular Spanish daily Marca. Ronaldo will reportedly earn 200 million euros per season, which includes his salary and advertising agreements. It was earlier confirmed that the Portuguese international is committed to leaving Europe to take on a new challenge. Read More: Special record that Messi can break if he plays in FIFA World Cup 2022 final Al Nassr's mega offer could not be matched by any European club, as well as by David Beckham's Inter Miami or any other MLS team. Al Nassr offered Cristiano last summer, but the deal didn't go through due to an administrative sanction. But this time, a deal between the two parties seems very close, as there are no legal obstacles this time. Ronaldo also gives his green signal to his agent to finalize all the paperwork. Mrsool Park, Al-Nassr's home stadium, has a capacity of 25,000 people. Their domestic rival is Al Hilal, the current league champions. Rudi Garcia is the current head coach of Al Nassr, and former Arsenal and Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina is also playing for the club. The inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo will hugely boost Al Nassr's popularity on a global scale, and the Saudi League will surely get special attention as well. The economic benefit for both the club and the league can't be denied either. Ronaldo's first choice was always playing in the Champions League for a big European team in order to compete at the highest level. His agent, Jorge Mendes, was trying to find a suitable club for him last summer, but considering his age, no big club showed interest in him. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner had to continue with Manchester United this season despite disinterest from both parties. However, United's newly appointed head coach, Erik ten Haag, was reluctant to include Ronaldo in his starting XI, which made him furious. Read More: Australia upset Denmark to march to World Cup last 16 Both parties' relationship eventually frayed when Ronaldo gave an exclusive interview to Piers Morgan Uncensored two weeks before the Qatar World Cup 2022. Cristiano's criticism towards Manchester United's owners, coach, club's current infrastructure, and ex-colleagues has triggered huge controversy. Ronaldo and Manchester United were about to get separated after this, and last week, the contract was amicably terminated. He is now set to sign a lucrative contract with Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr.

After his exit from Manchester United, football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has received a three-year contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr club worth $225 million following the Qatar World Cup - allowing him to continue playing into his 40s, according to CBS Sports. Ronaldo is now a free agent after Manchester United terminated his contract recently, and Al Nassr and other Middle Eastern clubs have long been interested in signing him. As the 37-year-old entered his fifth tournament, CBS Sports reported in August that his interest would stretch beyond the World Cup 2022. He had expressed a desire to compete at the best level in Europe. Ronaldo scored in his fifth World Cup during Portugal’s opening match against Ghana, breaking another record on the international stage. Read: Ronaldo's next club options after leaving Manchester United Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr believes that Ronaldo would be eager to pioneer new territory after the tournament, and after in-depth discussions with his representation, sources close to the club claim that interest is “stronger than ever.” Ronaldo is reportedly being offered terms worth $75 million year. As a result of the summer’s initial contact, it is believed that negotiations are somewhat advanced but are still pending Ronaldo’s final choice. According to sources cited by CBS Sports, a transaction would be completed quickly if he decided to accept the offer. Ronaldo requested to leave Manchester United in the summer, but none of Europe’s top teams were eager to give him the opportunity to play in the Champions League. It seems unlikely that the market has expanded among the continent’s elite following an explosive interview with Talk TV in which he accused Manchester United of “betraying” him and said he did not respect head coach Erik ten Hag. Read: England players' wives, girlfriends spend £20,000 at Qatar cruise liner party One of the most successful clubs in Asia and Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr won nine league championships and advanced to the AFC Champions League final in 1995. Ronaldo has also been connected to their fierce rival Al Hilal. It is believed that Al Nassr’s offer is the sole official contract that has been made to the Portugal international, whose future is anticipated to be decided after the Qatar World Cup. Ronaldo found it difficult to have a significant impact on Manchester United’s success after switching from Juventus in the summer of 2021. Despite the fact that he led the team in scoring last season with 24 goals in 38 appearances across all competitions, United dropped from second to sixth in the Premier League. Ronaldo was reduced to a supporting position after Erik ten Hag was hired, starting only four matches in the top division. The veteran striker had been engaged in several other incidents before the interview that caused him to leave, including leaving the field early during a preseason friendly and refusing to enter the game as a substitute in a loss to Tottenham. Cristiano Ronaldo is known to be an ambitious player who likes to compete at the highest level and win big things, whether on a personal level or for his team. Playing in a completely new territory at the age of nearing 40, where he doesn't have prior experience, could be a real challenge for the Portuguese superstar. But Cristiano always likes to take on challenges, and most often he comes out as a winner. Now, it will be interesting to see whether Ronaldo accepts Saudi club Al Nassr's mammoth $225 million offer after confirming his exit from English club Manchester United last week. Read More: Qatar World Cup 2022 Day 9: Neymar-less Brazil to face Switzerland, Ronaldo’s Portugal to take on Uruguay

Another game, another personal milestone. For all the turmoil that has surrounded Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of what is likely to be his final World Cup, the Portugal great continues make his mark. On Thursday he became the first man to score in five World Cups. Earlier this season he registered the 700th club goal of his career. Read more: Ghana coach slams ref after Ronaldo’s record World Cup goal Not bad for a 37-year-old, who doesn’t know where he will be playing beyond Qatar after having his Manchester United contract terminated in the wake of his incendiary interview criticizing manager Erik ten Hag and the club’s owners. A win against Uruguay on Monday would secure Portugal’s qualification from Group H to the knockout stages with a game to spare after its opening 3-2 win against Ghana. “This is just the beginning,” Ronaldo said in an Instagram post, adding that “there are no impossibilities.” But if soccer’s ultimate numbers man is to achieve his ambition of lifting the one major trophy that eludes him, he cannot do it by himself. That much was clear against Ghana, when Portugal also needed goals from Joao Felix and Rafael Leao to hold on for victory. Read more: Ronaldo makes history, becomes first male player to score at five World Cups Felix is the likeliest heir to Ronaldo’s throne as Portugal’s inspiration-in-chief – and has even been linked with a potential move to United. If Qatar is Ronaldo’s last World Cup dance, the moves are not quite as fluid as they once were. His goal against Ghana came from the penalty spot, rather than a moment of the type of individual brilliance on which his career has been built. That being said, FIFA Technical Study Group member Sunday Oliseh still described as “total genius” his ability to win a disputed foul from Mohammed Salisu that Ghana coach Otto Addo insisted should not have been awarded. Ronaldo’s celebrations suggested he does not care where the goals come from, so long as they keep on coming. But Portugal cannot solely rely on such moments — and amid the noise that surrounds its most celebrated player, it can be forgotten how much talent coach Fernando Santos has at his disposal. Not least Atletico Madrid forward Felix, United midfielder Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva of Manchester City. Read more: Ronaldo's next club options after leaving Manchester United “A selection with the quality of ours has to be favorite in any game,” said Portugal forward Goncalo Ramos ahead of Uruguay at the Lusail Stadium. “It’s important to win the second game now.” Uruguay drew 0-0 with South Korea in its first game of the tournament. Like Portugal, Uruguay is blending the old and the new. Ronaldo’s long-time rival from their time at Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, Luis Suarez, is in an attack that also features the country’s new generation of talent in Darwin Nunez and Facundo Pellistri. At 35, Suarez is no longer the force he once was and he was substituted just after the hour against South Korea. Another 35-year-old in Edinson Cavani replaced him, but Uruguay still couldn't find a goal. Ghana exposed vulnerabilities in Portugal’s defense – but Uruguay will need to be much more clinical if it is to capitalize on Monday. Ghana exposed vulnerabilities in Portugal’s defense, but Uruguay will need to be much more clinical if it is to capitalize on Monday. Besides, Cristiano Ronaldo can pose a real threat to the Uruguayan defense and is now motivated to continue to thrive in his last World Cup.

Not for the first time, Cristiano Ronaldo is trusting himself to deliver on the big stage. A man of seemingly boundless self-belief is struggling to accept the effects of age and banking on the World Cup to launch a glorious final act to his remarkable career. His explosive interview with Piers Morgan this week has set the stage for a make-or-break few weeks for the 37-year-old Portugal forward and left him with little room to maneuver if it goes wrong. It's quite the gamble. But for Ronaldo, who has written his own story in a trophy-laden career, it's unlikely failure has even been considered. He has very deliberately ensured the focus is on him in Qatar by waging a public war with Manchester United and putting himself on the market. The question is whether it is a case of self-belief or self-delusion. Read more: Ronaldo's career at Manchester United may be over On the evidence of his performances on the field this season, reality has hit him hard. The burst of speed appears to have gone. The energy levels are not the same. And, perhaps most shockingly, that cutting edge just isn't there. Of United's 21 games this season, Ronaldo has been involved in 16 of them and scored only three goals. Two of those goals were against Moldovan club Sheriff FC in the Europa League — one a penalty. The other was a winner against Everton and marked the 700th of his club career. Despite the milestone he achieved with that goal in the Premier League, those statistics provide little in the way of evidence that he is about to make an emphatic statement at the World Cup. But to hear him in that interview, it's clear Ronaldo believes he has been underused and ill-deployed by United manager Erik ten Hag. The World Cup is his chance to prove that point, because if he carries his club form into the tournament it's hard to know where he will turn up next. Even on the back of 24 goals last season he couldn't secure a move to one of Europe's leading clubs and there is little to suggest the picture has changed now. His willingness to call out his manager, owners and other players on international TV might make it hard for Ronaldo to attract suitors when the January transfer window opens. Whether a challenge for the Golden Boot as top scorer in Qatar and a deep run for Portugal would change that remains to be seen. But it is surely his only chance of prolonging his career in elite soccer. “Maybe it’s good for Manchester and probably is good for me as well to have a new chapter,” he told TalkTV. The Premier League club responded by saying it had “initiated appropriate steps” following his actions. The termination of his contract is a possible outcome. Even as a free agent, Ronaldo's reported salary of about 500,000 pounds ($590,000) per week presents a considerable hurdle for other interested clubs. That's why it's so important for him to provide evidence he can still deliver at the highest level. Yet Ronaldo's off-field actions have proved more noteworthy. None more so than that interview with Morgan, where he came across as a grumpy old man blaming just about everyone else for his failure to make himself the centerpoint of a team — and possibly a sport — that is moving forward without him. “It’s the new coaches that are coming around," he said. “They think they find the last Coca-Cola in the desert.” Read more: Will Ronaldo return to Manchester United following the controversial interview? That analogy only fed the impression that he — a five-time Ballon d'Or winner who has won five Champions League titles and seven league titles in three different countries — is increasingly a player who is out of touch with the modern game.

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of, if not the, most quintessential and opinion-dividing players in football history. From his apparent genius to his accentuating ego-driven antics off the field, it seems like Ronaldo has always been in the spotlight since the dawn of the internet. The Portuguese sensation has sparked a brand-new controversy while giving an interview with Piers Morgan, which raises concern about whether Ronaldo will ever return to Manchester United. What controversial remarks did Cristiano Ronaldo make in Piers Morgan’s Uncensored? Ronaldo, a truly sensational footballer and undoubtedly one of the greatest to ever play the game. He has kept himself in great shape throughout his career, always moving forward with the purpose of being the absolute best. But in the race to stay ahead of the curve, maybe the Portuguese sensation has forgotten the basics of it all. Read More: Qatar Squad analysis for 2022 FIFA Football World Cup Cristiano made some contentious remarks towards the Manchester United hierarchy, how they run the club, and the former and present head coach during the interview with Piers Morgan that were unacceptable for the majority. Ronaldo’s concern over the club’s future There is no denying Cristiano Ronaldo’s love for the club. He raised questions about the way the Glazers run arguably the most popular football club in the world. “I love Man Utd, I love the fans, they’re always on my side. But if Manchester United want to do it different. They’ve to change many, many things. Here the progress has been ZERO since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club. I want the best for Manchester Utd. This is why I come, but you have some things inside the club that don’t help reach the top level as Man City, Liverpool and even now Arsenal. Nothing changed since I left. The pool, the jacuzzi, even the gym, even some technology. Even the chefs who I appreciate, lovely people. I thought I would see new technology, infrastructure. I saw things I saw when I was 20." Those are some of the comments that have leaked from Cristiano Ronaldo's recent interview with Piers Morgan on his show, Piers Morgan Uncensored. Ronaldo has expressed his dissatisfaction with Manchester United's lack of progress through these statements. Although he is one of the highest-paid employees at the club, his disappointment with the lack of ambition at Manchester United can be justified. Read More: Messi or Ronaldo: Who has better chance at leading team to FIFA World Cup win? Cristiano's criticism towards former boss Ralf Rangnick Ronaldo’s criticism of Manchester United’s hierarchy can be defended, but his disparagement of former head coach Ralf Rangnick can’t be justified. "After Ole, they bring in sports directive Ralf Rangnick, which is something nobody understands. He is not even a coach. A big club like Manchester United bringing in a sports directive surprised not only me but all the world. If you're not a even a coach, how can you be the boss of Manchester United? I'd never even heard of him," said Ronaldo in his interview, showcasing his dislike for current Austrian national team manager Ralf Rangnick. Keep in mind that Ralf Rangnick was appointed as interim manager due to his impressive record at German sides such as FC Schalke and RB Leipzig, with whom he is most synonymous. Although the appointment did not go as planned, Manchester United was praised at the time for hiring Rangnick, one of the modern game's pioneers. One of the fathers of the pressing game in German, he has directly influenced the likes of Thomas Tuchel, Jurgen Klopp, Julian Nagelsmann, Hansi Flick, and many more. Ralf Rangnick had more than enough pedigree to succeed Ole Gunnar Solskjær, whose previous managerial experience included Molde in Norway and a relegation with Cardiff. Read More: Meet Laeeb: Mascot of 2022 FIFA World Cup Football Tournament in Qatar Ronaldo’s disrespect towards Erik ten Hag The statement of Ronaldo's that ruffled the most feathers was the one he made about his current boss, Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag. Ronaldo said on the show, "I don't have respect for Erik ten Hag because he doesn't show respect for me. If you don't have respect for me, I will never have any for you”. Further referring to the Manchester United hierarchy he said, "Man United tried to force me out. Not only the manager, but also the other guys who are around the club. I felt betrayed. I feel that some people didn’t want me at Manchester United, not only this year but last season too". It is apparent from Ronaldo’s remarks that his sentiment towards the people working at Manchester United is filled with animosity. Although understandable, it is by no means an acceptable or justified stance that Cristiano holds. Pundits all over the globe echo our view, as most, if not all, reputed personnel who are linked with the game have criticized the all-time great. Read More: FIFA World Cup 2022: Argentina’s confirmed squad How important is Ronaldo in Erik ten Hag’s system? It's easy to see why Ronaldo made such remarks during the show. Manchester United as a team no longer rely on him week in and week out, and he is no longer an important player at the club. Last season, he scored 18 goals in 27 league starts. This season, his numbers have plummeted. With a meager 4% conversion rate, he has only scored one goal in the Premier League in 525 minutes. Cristiano's two goals and two assists in the Europa League bring his total to five goals in 1055 minutes across all competitions. A poor record for any player, and one that, by the standards he has set for himself, is unacceptable for Ronaldo.With his massive drop-off, Erik Ten Hag has unsurprisingly opted for younger and better-performing players in his position, such as Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, both of whom have performed better than the Portuguese this season. If you take his comments about being forced out of the club, let me take you back to the summer window, where Ronaldo expressed a keen desire for a transfer in order to play Champions League football. Something that did not happen because no club was interested in taking his huge wages, forcing CR7 to stay at Old Trafford. Read More: 5 players who can win the Golden Boot at Qatar World Cup Manchester United’s response to Ronaldo's criticism It is easy to understand that Ronaldo's subsequent lack of gametime is due to the greater good of the club rather than personal hostility or enmity. Something, Ronaldo hasn't taken in good faith as it seems. As the interview was conducted, Ronaldo was on apparent sick leave, and Manchester United found out about it while traveling home from their 2-1 win at Fulham. The club has subsequently released a statement, which said: "The club will consider its response after the full facts have been established. Our focus remains on preparing for the second half of the season and continuing the momentum, belief and togetherness being built among the players, manager, staff, and fans." Read More: FIFA World Cup: 5 players who can win the Golden Ball in Qatar Way Forward It is clear that Ronaldo has done what he's done in order to get what is best for himself, not Manchester United. The issue about the lack of progress behind the scenes at United has been raised by other members of the football community as well, such as former manager Jose Mourinho, Ralf Rangnick, and former player Zlatan Ibrahimovic, to name a few, but it has not been done in this way. Going out and trying to justify your disrespect for your manager is something no other footballer on the planet could do. Cristiano Ronaldo may think that he is bigger than the club at present, but everyone around the club would strongly disagree with that. It is sad to see the legacy that Cristiano Ronaldo will now leave behind at the stadium of dreams if he can manage to get away in January. The darling of Red Devils fans, the apple of Sir Alex Ferguson's eye—all of that is gone in 90 minutes with Piers Morgan, and Ronaldo may not even go back to Manchester United following the controversial interview.