Football star, Cristiano Ronaldo, is being mocked on social media after a 2015 interview emerged of him saying that he was only going to retire while still playing at the top level of his career.
In fact, Ronaldo in that video specifically said he wanted to retire in dignity, and that inasmuch as it was not wrong for people to retire in the United States, Qatar and Dubai, He wouldn’t opt for those places.
“That does not mean it’s bad play in the leagues of the United States, Qatar or Dubai, but I do not see myself there,” Ronaldo said at the time.
His remarks at the time referenced a wave of top players who had finished their careers outside of Europe’s top leagues, among them MLS imports Didier Drogba, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa, along with Xavi, the Barcelona midfielder who signed with Qatari club Al Sadd.
The 37-year old immediate past Manchester United forward has joined Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr on a deal that runs until 2025.
The Portugal captain who missed out on the world cup in Qatar, is a free agent after leaving Manchester United following a controversial interview in which he criticised the club.
Al Nassr – nine-time Saudi Pro League champions – described the signing as “history in the making”.
The club said it would “inspire our league, nation and future generations to be the best version of themselves”.
In the summer, Ronaldo turned down a £305 million deal to join another Saudi team – Al Hilal – because he was happy at United.
Earlier in November, the striker spoke out in an interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV in which he said he felt “betrayed” by United, did not respect manager Erik ten Hag and was being forced out of the club.
Ronaldo, who scored 145 goals in 346 appearances for United, left Juventus to rejoin the Old Trafford club in August 2021 – 11 years after he departed to join Real Madrid.
He had just over seven months remaining on his £500,000-a-week contract with United but his immediate exit was “mutually agreed”.
A day after he left the club, he was banned for two domestic matches for knocking a phone out of an Everton fan’s hand after United’s defeat at Goodison Park in April.
He will serve the ban at domestic level with any new club – in England or abroad – although it does not apply at continental club level, such as the Champions League.
Watch below an excerpt of the 2015 Interview:
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