Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that leaving Manchester United was the ‘difficult phase’ of his career. The start of the 22/23 season also set in motion, the start of deterioration of Ronaldo’s relationship with the club. He was gradually taken out of the United starting eleven after making 10 appearances which saw him start just four times.
Following the difficult end of his second United spell, Cristiano Ronaldo feels that he has become ‘a better man’. He eventually parted ways with the team in late 2022, and signed a bumper contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr that would last until 2025. After spending 12 years away from United with Real Madrid and Juventus, the Portugal international had returned to Old Trafford for a second stint in 2021.
Cristiano Ronaldo admits his game ‘soured’ at Man United
Cristiano Ronaldo had finished the 21/22 season as the Red Devils’ leading scorer, but struggled for a n important role in the team once Erik ten Hag took over as manager. During an outrageous interview with Piers Morgan that aired in the fall, Ronaldo criticised a number of issues at United. As a result, he and the club mutually agreed to end his contract in November, which saw him pursue club football with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Speaking of his second spell at Old Trafford, Ronaldo told Sport TV +:
“Sometimes you have to go through some things to see who’s on my side. In a difficult phase, you can see who is on your side. I have no problem saying, I had a bad career run, but there’s no time for regrets. Life goes on and, doing well or not, it was part of my growth. When we are at the top of the mountain, we often cannot see what is below. Now I’m more prepared and that learning was important, because I had never been through this, like in the last few months. Now I’m a better man.”
Cristiano Ronaldo was a member of Fernando Santos’ Portugal team for the 2022 World Cup after leaving United and before joining Al-Nassr. He started and scored in a their opening win over Ghana, but by the time the knockout stages arrived, the all-time leading international goalscorer had lost his spot in the starting XI and was unable to find the back of the net as the Euro 2016 champions were defeated by Morocco in the quarterfinals.
There had been rumours that the veteran’s international career would be over, but Roberto Martinez, who tookover from Santos confirmed in his very first press conference that Ronaldo was still an important part of his plans. However, another speculation followed, this time over the captainship of the Selecaos. Ronaldo snubbed voting at FIFA The Best, and instead, Pepe cast the vote as Portugal’s captain.
With nine goals in his first eight Saudi Pro League games, Ronaldo has made a strong start in the middle-east. Back in Lisbon, Portugal plays a home and away doubleheader against Liechtenstein to start their qualification run for Euro 2024. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, and Slovakia are also in their group, with the top two finishers advancing to the final tournament in Germany.