Cristiano Ronaldo is aiming to retire at “around 40”, according to Piers Morgan.
Ronaldo was recently interviewed by Morgan about the predicament he finds himself in at United. The 37-year-old is no longer a first-team regular at United and aimed several criticisms at the club he made his name at in an interview that will be aired in full across Wednesday and Thursday this week.
He said he felt “betrayed” by United and that several people were trying to force him out of the club. He also said he has no respect for boss Erik ten Hag following his club-imposed ban against Chelsea last month for refusing to come on against Tottenham days earlier.
READ MORE: Morgan reveals who instigated Ronaldo interview
Ronaldo is in the twilight of his glittering career and is poised to jet off to Qatar with Portugal for what many expect to be his final World Cup. He previously admitted he would like to play at Euro 2024 and that he felt as though he could play into his forties.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Morgan revealed that Ronaldo had told him when he wants to hang up his boots. “He said he wants to retire around 40 to me," Morgan said. “So he’s got two-and-a-half years to finish but most of all, he wants to be respected and valued and he doesn’t feel that under Ten Hag. That’s why he’s said what he’s said and he feels this manager doesn’t respect him.
“He (Ronaldo) said from the very start that he (Ten Hag) has tried to go out his way to score points with Ronaldo and he thinks it’s very easy for managers to do that because he’s the biggest name and biggest star and he can often get the headlines to distract from real problems at the club.”
Morgan had earlier revealed that it was Ronaldo who approached him for the interview, which will be aired in full over two episodes at 8pm on Wednesday and Thursday on Talk TV. He admitted the interview was done recently, but refused to say exactly when.
“Cristiano asked me to do it, simple as that, he asked me,” he said. “Recently, he’s been thinking about it for a while, it’s no secret he’s felt a deep built-up frustration about what’s been happening at Manchester United.
“I’m not going to say [when the interview took place]. [We’d] done it recently but that’s between me and Cristiano. He’s been thinking about this for a while then I got a call ‘I want to do it now’ and I think part of the timing was the World Cup is about to start.”
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