Ronaldo walking down the tunnel before full-time during Manchester United’s 2-0 victory against Tottenham at Old Trafford.
By Dickson Bandera
Christiano Ronaldo has told the world that he is committed to Manchester United and will continue to be exemplary to young footballers.
The world’s most prolific striker who made headlines after scoring his 700th club goal last week, grabbed headlines but this time for wrong reasons after his Saturday outburst that saw him walking into the dressing room 4 minutes before the final whistle with his team leading 2 nil against Tottenham Hotspurs.
Earlier, Ronaldo had been asked to warm up but could not then be used, which might have frustrated him. The Portuguese international was the hat-trick hero in the last meeting of the two teams and might have wanted to replicate his class.
But Ten Hag had other ideas to collect maximum points.
Posting on social media, Ronaldo said:
“As I’ve always done throughout my career, I try to live and play respectfully towards my colleagues, my adversaries and my coaches. That hasn’t changed. I haven’t changed. I’m the same person and the same professional that I’ve been for the last 20 years playing elite football, and respect has always played a very important role in my decision making process.
I started very young, the older and most experienced players examples were always very important to me. Therefore, later on, I’ve always tried to set the example myself for the youngsters that grew in all the teams that I’ve represented. Unfortunately that’s not always possible and sometimes the heat of the moment get’s the best of us.
Right now, I just feel that I have to keep working hard in Carrington, support my teammates and be ready for everything in any given game. Giving in to the pressure is not an option. It never was. This is Manchester United, and united we must stand. Soon we’ll be together again.”
The world is already divided on the incident with some slamming the player for unacceptable behaviour while others feel the Man U coach Eric Ten Hag is disrespecting the Portuguese international by not giving him game time.
Some claim that the statement by Ronaldo does not include an apology but only stressing his commitment to the club and the game of football.
Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 games for United between 2003 and 2009, winning three Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two League Cups.
In August 2021, he arrived at Manchester United for the second time from Juventus and went straight into serious business, scoring four goals in his first week. He went on to score 14 goals in 20 appearances.
The team was then under Manager Ole Gunner Solskjaer who was to be sacked and replaced by Ralf Rangnick who worked on an interim basis before the arrival of Eric Ten Hag.
When Ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford he is reported to have indicated that the Portuguese legend was in his plans hence he stayed put, hoping to command a first 11 jersey. But Ronaldo no longer commands a first 11 place at Manchester United, with Ten Hag opting to introduce him from the bench.
Some believe that for a player at 37 who still is passionate about breaking new records, CR7 should join a team which guarantees him game time.
Rumour is awash with claims that CR700 will leave Old Trafford during the January transfer window with Chelsea and Juventus being touted as possible destinations.
