Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up on why he snubbed interest from the Saudi Arabian league despite being offered a £305million contract for just two seasons.
The 37-year-old forward appeared to make it clear to Manchester United officials that he wanted an Old Trafford exit last summer, but ended up staying put due to a reported lack of interest from any European suitors. Ronaldo was however, the subject of one astronomical offer in the Middle East.
An unnamed Saudi club were prepared to offer him the most lucrative playing contract in football history, but Ronaldo is rumoured to have turned them down due to his desire to prolong his love affair with European club football's most prestigious competition - the Champions League.
Opening up on the offer for the first time during his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored, Ronaldo explained how he also had other offers despite a plethora of reports claiming otherwise.
“It’s true, yes it’s true…but what the press keeping say, the garbage, is that nobody wants me, which is completely wrong," he declared. "And I was happy here to be honest, I was motivated to do a great season here.
"But they continue to repeat that nobody wants Cristiano. How they don’t want a player who scored 32 goals last year, with national team?"
HAVE YOUR SAY! Was Ronaldo wrong to reject the lucrative offer from the Saudi-based outfit? Comment below
Shortly after, Ronaldo was grilled on just how difficult it was to turn down that kind of offer from Saudi Arabia given the breathtaking amount of money up for grabs.
"It's hard, it's hard. But in the same way, I thought that I was very happy here; that I still capable to score goals… I still believe that I can score many, many goals and help the team because I still believe that I'm still good and capable to help national team - even Manchester United. But if you don’t feel around you that the energy’s on your side, it’s difficult."
He went on to dicuss the fact that many view Ronaldo as a player in the stage of his career where one final payday in a nation like Saudi Arabia or the United States would make sense.
"Of course, the criticism is gonna exists all the time. ‘Ah he’s 37, he’s not the same’," the five-time Ballon d'Or winner added.
"But I want to see if some guy of my age can maintain the level that I show… Yes, in this moment, I feel very, very good…. I believe that I'm going to do an amazing World Cup and I’m prepared, physically and mentally… But Piers, it is what it is.
"Life’s good, I’m good, my mental [outlook] is good. I’m happy to do this interview with you. I know we’re gonna generate many polemic."
Watch Piers Morgan Uncensored: 90 Minutes with Ronaldo at https://watch.talk.tv/ or www.youtube.com/piersmorganuncensored
