5 times Ronaldo acted bigger than his team – from Euro 2016 to Real Madrid exit
Less than 12 months after marking his second coming at Old Trafford, Cristiano Ronaldo’s time at Manchester United appears to be approaching a premature conclusion.
The 37-year-old is keen to play in the Champions League next season and some may argue the Portuguese superstar did his part after scoring 18 goals in the Premier League, with 24 in all competitions. His United team-mates, however, fell way short of the level required of them, in particular players such as Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire.
United ended up finishing sixth in the Premier League, which means unless Ronaldo changes clubs, he could miss out on Champions League football for the first time in his career.
Chelsea to make Cristiano Ronaldo offer to Man Utd worth less than Lazar Markovic
But on the other side of the coin, abandoning ship is starting to become a familiar trend for Ronaldo. He left Juventus after failing to win the Serie A title in 2020-21 as Inter Milan beat the Bianconeri to the Scudetto.
With his next destination unknown amid interest from Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Sporting Lisbon, Ronaldo is poised to leave the club this summer a bitter taste in the mouth.
And Daily Star Sport recalls five moments over the years where Ronaldo acted bigger than the teams he plays for.
Touchline row with Rangnick
HAVE YOUR SAY: Where will Ronaldo be playing his football next season? Comment below.
Back in January, interim boss Ralf Rangnick made the bold call to take off Ronaldo during the 3-1 win over Brentford. Doing so would provoke a furious reaction from the forward, who theatrically throw his tracksuit top onto the ground as he made way in the 71st minute.
Rangnick admitted he understood the veteran’s feelings about the incident but was left unimpressed with the striker’s actions, accusing Ronaldo of reacting “too emotionally”. “I didn’t at all see or interpret that he was challenging me,” Rangnick, 63, said. “He just showed, maybe too emotionally, that he was not happy to be replaced.
“This was not the first time – if you have a look at the moment when Sir Alex [Ferguson] replaced him or other coaches, his reaction was pretty similar, which shows in the end it has got nothing to do with the manager. It’s about his own ambition and desire to stay on the pitch.
Portugal ‘manager’ role
Fernando Santos was the manager chosen by the Portugal FA to lead the Selecao into Euro 2016. But in the final, where the nation faced France, it was fair to say Ronaldo had succeeded him in that role.
A tearful Ronaldo had been substituted after picking up an injury during the first half and, with his side battling against the superior Bleus side, it was going to be an uphill task without their star man.
But while many players would head off to the dressing room for treatment, Ronaldo was going nowhere. He took up his position on the touchline next to Santos and began willing his side on, barking instructions and waving his arms forward. His spirit seemed to give his side a lift and when Eder
Leaving for Juventus
When Ronaldo decided to leave Real Madrid after nine years in the Spanish capital, it was clear Juventus would be his destination. He had been complimentary about the club's fans and was longing to try his hand at playing in Italy.
He eventually made an £88m transfer in 2018, making him Juve's most expensive signing in their history. And on his way out, Ronaldo fired a few parting shorts, suggesting the Bianconeri were more of a "family club" – something that irked his former team-mate Sergio Ramos.
The Spaniard did not hold back in criticising Ronaldo's comments, with a defiant Ramos discussing the close bond that existed within the squad, before telling Ronaldo that "no player was bigger than the squad."
"Here we have always felt like a family, so I don’t know what he was talking about," he said. "We have had lots of success, which is because we are a family and he was part of that family, which we have continued to have."
Real Madrid request
In 2008, Man United were adamant that they were not going to sell Ronaldo, and especially not to Real Madrid given the La Liga giants' poor relationship with Ferguson. But a year later, the club confirmed the Portuguese had twice requested to leave the club for the Santiago Bernabeu and accepted a world-record bid worth £80million, with Ronaldo unwilling to go anywhere ekse.
"At Cristiano's request – who has again expressed his desire to leave – and after discussion with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player," the club said.
Now, 12 years later, United find themselves in the same boat. They have no desire to sell on Ronaldo, but the forward is 38 in January and any fee above the £12m they paid Juventus could be regarded as decent deal. But the fact they are again being forced to offload against their will speaks volumes of his self-centred stance when it comes to his future.
Nani tantrum
In fairness to Ronaldo, his compatriot and United team-mate Nani deserved a dose of the hairdryer treatment after an error in judgement against Spain whilst playing on international duty.
Ronaldo rounded off a brilliant Portugal move, lobbing Iker Casillas to send the ball goal-bound. And as it trickled towards the line, Nani wanted to make sure it crossed and prodded home.
To Ronaldo's fury, the offside was then raised correctly against his United colleague – and the forward made no attempt to hide his fury after being denied a goal by a player on his own team with a mega tantrum.
It is safe to say Nani never repeated his antics from that day, but it was another show of petulance and lack of maturity from a player who oozes class with his feet.
READ NEXT:
Cristiano Ronaldo discovers Man Utd fine decision after failing to turn up to pre-season
Chelsea to make Cristiano Ronaldo offer to Man Utd worth less than Lazar Markovic
Cristiano Ronaldo's £600k Rolls Royce clamped as Man Utd star hunts move
Source: Read Full Article