Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he was the subject of a big-money offer from a Saudi Arabian club earlier this year.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News back in July, United received a €30million (£25million) offer from what, at the time, was an unnamed Saudi Arabian club. Ronaldo was understood to have been offered a huge financial package in an attempt to lure him to the Gulf nation worth £2.24million a week, which would have equated to £233million over the course of the two-year contract he was offered.
The 37-year-old, however, turned down the move because he was intent on leaving Old Trafford for a club in the Champions League. United did not receive any offers for Ronaldo from clubs in Europe's top competition.
READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo interview LIVE
Now, having thrown his future at Old Trafford into serious doubt following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has admitted that he had a big-money offer from a Saudi club, believed to have been Al Hilal, on the table.
"It's true, yes, it's true," Ronaldo told TalkTV. "But what the press keep saying, the garbage, is that nobody wants me, which is completely wrong. And I was happy here to be honest, I was motivated to do a great season here [at United]. But they continue to repeat that nobody wants Cristiano. How they don't want a player who scored 32 goals last year, [including] with the national team?"
On turning down a big-money offer, Ronaldo continued: "It's hard, it's hard. But in the same way, I thought that I was very happy here; that I am still capable of scoring 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.
"Of course, the criticism is going to exist all the time. 'Ah he's 37, he's not the same'. 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."
Watch Piers Morgan Uncensored: 90 Minutes with Ronaldo on TalkTV or on YouTube at 8pm on Thursday evening. Find TalkTV on Sky 526, Virgin Media 606, Freeview 237, Freesat 217 and Sky Glass 508, live and on demand on the TalkTV app, streaming services and at Talk.TV
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