Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo will leave the club with immediate effect, the Premier League team said on Wednesday morning (AEDT), marking a bitter end to the Portugal captain’s second spell at Old Trafford.
Cristiano Ronaldo is in Qatar for the World Cup with Portugal.Credit:Getty Images
“Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect,” the club said in a statement.
“The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future.”
An explosive recent interview with TalkTV – in which Ronaldo said he did not respect manager Erik ten Hag – had put him on shaky ground at the club he rejoined in August 2021 after winning eight major trophies with them from 2003-2009.
United said last week they would address Ronaldo’s comments only after establishing the complete facts and added last Friday that they had initiated “appropriate steps” in response.
Last month, Ten Hag said Ronaldo had refused to come on as a substitute against Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The forward disappeared down the tunnel with a few minutes of the game remaining after being put on the bench.
The 37-year-old was then left out of the squad that faced Chelsea the following Saturday.
Ronaldo later said in the TV interview he regretted leaving early against Spurs, but added his decision to walk off came because he felt “provoked” by Ten Hag.
Ronaldo said in his own statement on Wednesday morning that he loved the club and the fans.
“That will never ever change,” he added. “However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new challenge. I wish the team every success for the remainder of the season and for the future.”
Ronaldo leads Portugal out against Ghana in their first World Cup game on Thursday in Qatar (local time).
Reuters
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