Turns out that the infamous Romelu Lukaku interview with Sky Italia wasn't all that bad. Certainly not when compared to the self-centred condemnation of Manchester United delivered by club legend and supposedly proud owner of the famous No.7 shirt Cristiano Ronaldo.
In an unauthorised 90-minute interview with Piers Morgan that was broadcast in two parts last Wednesday and Thursday, Ronaldo claimed he has been betrayed by "some people" at Old Trafford, that he had no respect for United head coach Erik ten Hag, that the club are stuck in the past, and that criticism of his recent behaviour by former teammate Wayne Rooney was born out of jealousy.
There were also scathing comments over the decision to appoint Ralf Rangnick as interim head coach last season after the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. "This surprised not only me but also all the world," said Ronaldo. "If you're not even a coach, how are you going to be the boss of Manchester United? I'd never even heard of him."
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Ronaldo started a fire at Old Trafford with the interview, perhaps knowingly designed to create an exit. If so, then CR7 has got his wish. Manchester United confirmed this evening that Ronaldo had left the club immediately by mutual consent.
There will be those among the Chelsea fanbase – blinded by the Portugal international's previous goalscoring pedigree – that are eager to see Ronaldo move to Stamford Bridge after the World Cup. His egotistical actions this season at Manchester United will be overlooked. His Champions League wins with Real Madrid will be pointed to.
And let's not pretend Ronaldo isn't a powerful marketing tool. His appeal is undeniable, although somewhat unfathomable. His brand – one shaped by that Manchester United No.7 shirt – is global. That's why Chelsea co-owner, chairman, and interim sporting director Todd Boehly explored the idea of signing Ronaldo in the summer following a dinner with superagent Jorge Mendes.
Chelsea never came close to striking a deal for the Portuguese star, who has scored just three times this season. Then-head coach Thomas Tuchel was simply not keen.
It's understood the German had reservations about Ronaldo's domineering presence at a club, that the 37-year-old would inevitably become the story no matter how he performed, something Manchester United have certainly found this season. And that was before the tactical implications were considered as to how Ronaldo would function in a high-pressing side.
The obstacle of Tuchel has been removed at Stamford Bridge. He and Chelsea parted ways just days after the summer transfer window closed. Graham Potter was recruited from Brighton and Hove Albion as Tuchel's replacement, the justification being that Boehly and the new Chelsea hierarchy wanted a more communicative and collaborative working environment.
It is difficult to see how Ronaldo fits into that ethos. Aside from his forthcoming interview – arranged without the knowledge of Manchester United – he also refused to come off the substitutes' bench against Tottenham last month and instead chose to walk down the tunnel and leave Old Trafford moments after the full-time whistle.
Ronaldo has showcased throughout his career that he is a single-minded individual. Yet that element of his personality and his game was accepted, given he was often scoring the goals that won Champions Leagues, Premier League, La Liga and Serie A titles and a handful of domestic cups.
However, the all-conquering, age-defying, one-man attack is no more. Ronaldo now appears a man closely marked by Father Time and there are fewer and fewer clubs willing to indulge his behaviour, both on and on the pitch. Chelsea must be one of them.
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