Ronaldo’s reason for leaving Man Utd revisited with summer transfer eyed
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It has been 12 years since Cristiano Ronaldo swapped Old Trafford for the Santiago Bernabeu, in a bid to become one of the world's greatest footballers.
Ronaldo won it all at Real Madrid; four Ballon d'Ors, four Champions League titles and every domestic Spanish trophy he could get his hands on. This launched him into the conversation as one of "the beautiful game's" most illustrious players.
Named 14 successive times in UEFA's Team of the Year, the Portuguese legend burst onto the scene as a teenager; his transfer from Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United made him the most expensive teenager in English footballing history.
After establishing himself as United's star man, Ronaldo left supporters heartbroken in 2009 when he transferred to Los Blancos.
He has finally revealed why he opted to leave behind his adoring fans at Old Trafford.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on Nike's YouTube channel, Ronaldo said: "I just thought in my mind I want to go there to show my level, to show that I'm a different player and that's what I did.
"I arrived and I had a fantastic first season and then I have improved every season."
That he has. Barring his first season in Madrid, Ronaldo managed to net at least 40 goals every season in all competitions.
Goal tallies of 55 in 2012/13, 60 in 2011/12 and 61 in 2014/15 highlight just how astutely the Portuguese striker honed his skills as a marksman to unimaginable levels.
Real Madrid's record goalscorer managed to surpass Raul's tally of 323 in less than half the number of matches.
He didn't stop there either, Ronaldo's 450 goals for Real Madrid in 438 matches have written him into Los Blancos history as their greatest ever forward.
Following three years in Turin and another impressive collection of trophies, there are strong rumours of a United reunion. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly monitoring Ronaldo's situation.
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With Juventus currently lying outside the Champions League qualification places, Ronaldo looks increasingly likely to leave the Old Lady in search of European football at the top level.
The Portuguese man has constantly been linked with a fairytale return to Old Trafford but this summer it looks more probable than ever with reports he would even take a pay cut to make the transfer happen.
Solskjaer is also on board; the Red Devils boss has supposedly already given Ronaldo assurances over his proposed involvement next season.
Man Utd have also been linked with Harry Kane, Jack Grealish and Jadon Sancho.
READ MORE: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/ronaldinho-world-cup-football-brazil-24158112
READ MORE: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/sir-alex-ferguson-kane-tottenham-24160156
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Manchester United FC
- Real Madrid FC
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