“Leave immediately”
The English club Manchester United announced on its official channels that Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract had been terminated by mutual consent, making the move effective right away.
Red Devils officials stated that the player left the squad immediately after the agreement to part ways. Their wording underscored the club’s stance on the situation.
The situation hardened after Ronaldo sat down for a televised interview with Piers Morgan, in which he criticized the club and head coach Erik ten Hag. Media outlets soon cited sources suggesting Manchester United was seeking a contract termination with minimal financial impact on the club.
On the opening day of the World Cup in Qatar, a large portrait of Ronaldo was removed from the Old Trafford facade amid reports that the Portuguese star had become persona non grata at the club and would not return to the training ground.
Ronaldo has appeared in ten Premier League matches for Manchester United this season, scoring once. He often started on the bench, and in the match against Tottenham he declined an opportunity to enter as a substitute just before the end and headed to the dressing room. He also took part in six Europa League group stage matches, contributing a goal against Sheriff in both meetings, finishing the group stage with strong showings overall.
“I love Manchester United and the fans”
Even as the split drew a line under a long era, Ronaldo remains a legend at Manchester United, having played 346 games and scored 145 goals across his time with the club.
Observers reported that after talks with Manchester United, the club and Ronaldo agreed to end the contract earlier than planned. A well-connected reporter noted that Ronaldo expressed affection for the club and its supporters, adding that the time had come to seek a new challenge. He wished the team well for the remainder of the season and beyond. Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, is preparing to start the World Cup with Portugal. This marks his fifth appearance at a World Cup, and he is among a select group to have scored in four different editions, a feat previously achieved by Pele, Uwe Seeler, Miroslav Klose, and Lionel Messi in later campaigns.
The focus now shifts to the World Cup before Ronaldo resumes his club career. Rumors about interest from Real Madrid resurfaced in the press, though Madrid’s status as his longest-serving personal successor remains a point of debate. There was also interest from Chelsea, and Ronaldo reportedly favored a move that would place him under an ownership group led by Todd Boehly, though the club later chose to proceed differently under their head coach at the time. Notably, Ronaldo was later listed as the world’s most valuable free agent, surpassing other high-profile names in market assessments.
“Going to America or China”
Former Soviet football figure Yuri Gavrilov commented that Ronaldo’s next steps were still unclear. He noted that players often pursue opportunities abroad to extend careers and earn lucrative wages, especially in their late 30s. The elder statesman of the sport suggested Ronaldo could head to leagues in the United States or China, or explore another destination where the fit and the role would be right for the final chapters of his career.
As discussions continue, the global football landscape watches to see whether Ronaldo will chase a last, high-profile challenge or settle into a new chapter elsewhere. With the World Cup underway, the outcome of Ronaldo’s immediate future remains uncertain, and the broader question of where he will play next is widely debated among fans and pundits alike.