-
Rob Dawsonreporter
cristiano ronaldo will leave Manchester United after the World Cup, but where will he go? The Portugal The superstar’s second spell at Old Trafford is coming to an end after the club began steps to terminate his contract following His shocking interview with Piers Morgan. United hope it can be resolved “quickly” to avoid a lengthy legal battle and, if they do get their way, Ronaldo will be free to find another club once he returns from Qatar.
The level of care the 37-year-old can expect depends on who you trust. Sources close to United claim he has been around since the summer but they only received an offer from a club in Saudi Arabia, but Ronaldo turned it down. However, Ronaldo’s agent insists he has several options and those moves failed in the last transfer window as United demanded a substantial fee.
But once his contract is terminated – United must give 14 days written notice – that won’t be an issue and Ronaldo will decide what he wants in the final years of his career. already brilliant.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
Besides suggesting to Morgan that he would “retire immediately” if Portugal win this World Cup, Ronaldo said that he wants to play football until the age of 40, meaning he will finish the 2024 season- 2025. In the end, the two main issues when he decides to take his next move are what he wants to achieve and how much money he wants to earn.
His weekly salary at Old Trafford is £500,000 a week, plus bonuses, and if he makes the same claim at his next club, only a handful will be able to sit. to the negotiating table. Paris Saint-Germain was one but they had Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in their squad. Chelsea As another new owner, Todd Boehly met Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, in the summer but it’s unclear if head coach Graham Potter would be willing to include Ronaldo in his squad. Chelsea’s brief interest in the summer ended soon after then-manager Thomas Tuchel dismissed the idea.
Another option is that Ronaldo sacrifices his ability to compete in the Champions League and agrees to a lucrative transfer to the Middle East. The total summer package offer from Saudi Arabia would secure close to £350m, but the price has to be accepted that his peak playing career is over. The same is true of a move to the MLS with potentially David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
The market for Ronaldo’s services only expands if he is willing to accept lower wages. His first club, CP Sports, would jump at the chance to return to romance, but speaking in October, coach Ruben Amorim said they “didn’t have the money to pay him.” Ronaldo, of course, can handle that himself.
Sources have told ESPN that there has also been interest from the Italian side in the past Naples, a club still associated with their passionate support of one of the game’s greatest players: Diego Maradona. Napoli could offer Champions League football as early as February when they play Eintracht Frankfurt in the round of 16, but again, Ronaldo will have to compromise his salary requirements.
1:51
Mark Ogden reacts to news that Manchester United are looking to terminate Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract following an interview in which he criticized the club and coach Erik Ten Hag.
When United learned about Ronaldo’s interview with Morgan nearly a week ago, and his harsh criticisms of the club and coach Erik ten Hag, the ball was in their field of payback. word. Ten Hag, co-chairman Joel Glazer, chief executive officer Richard Arnold and director of football John Murtough agreed it was time to force him out, but with that decision taken, momentum has turned back to Ronaldo and he’s in control of how things go. here.
His first decision was whether or not against United’s decision to terminate his contract and there is a risk of a protracted legal controversy that could last for months or even years. Also, his next decision is what he wants to achieve before he hangs up his boots. His abilities are, surprisingly, waning in his 22nd year as a professional but 24 goals in all competitions for United last season proves he is still capable of scoring at the highest level.
Had Ronaldo decided he wanted a final payday after leaving Old Trafford, we could have seen his last day in European football. But if he chooses football before salary, there could still be another successful chapter in his career which has included 701 club goals, five Champions League medals and domestic titles in three other countries. together.
After a week of demands and counterclaims following his explosive interview, United have made their choice and Ronaldo will no longer play for them. What happens next is up to Ronaldo and how he wants to quit the sport he finished.
