Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up about his departure from Manchester United, stating that it was a significant part of his personal growth. The football legend’s contract with the club was mutually terminated in November 2021 after he gave an explosive interview with Piers Morgan, where he criticized the club and its personnel, both past and present. Despite being the top scorer for the team last season with 24 goals in all competitions, Ronaldo found himself unable to get regular playing time under Erik ten Hag, who took charge last summer. Left on the bench and increasingly frustrated, Ronaldo’s interview marked the final straw for the club.
As a result, the then-37-year-old became a free agent for the 2022 World Cup, where he helped Portugal reach the quarter-finals. He then surprised the footballing world by signing for Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr on a £177 million deal until June 2025. Since joining his new club, Ronaldo has scored nine goals in ten appearances and has left his Man United woes behind. However, instead of ignoring what happened in the first half of the season, Ronaldo has admitted that he has fully accepted and learned from the “bad phase” of his career.
“I have no problem saying I had a bad phase of my career, but there’s no time for regrets,” Ronaldo said at a press conference ahead of Portugal’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Liechtenstein. “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 learning that was important because I had never been through this, like in the last few months. Now I’m a better man.”
Ronaldo’s decision to leave European football for the first time in his career and sign with Al Nassr in January 2022 came as a surprise to many. In fact, Ronaldo himself agreed with TalkTV host Piers Morgan in his explosive interview that he would only play in Saudi Arabia if he was motivated by money. However, Ronaldo insists that he is much happier now in the Middle East.
“It’s a different chapter for all of us. The energies are good, positive, that’s the most important thing,” he said. “There’s fresh air now, different ideas and mentality.”
Since Ronaldo’s departure, Manchester United has secured their first piece of silverware since 2017 by winning the Carabao Cup and is now looking to secure the FA Cup while marking an improved Premier League campaign.