Cleats logo

The downfall of Cristiano Ronaldo

Exploring the moments Cristiano Ronaldo has had over the past two seasons.

By MiksuPublished about a year ago 6 min read
Like
CR7 crying after being knocked out ouf UEFA Champions League RO16 with Juventus

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, also known as "CR7", "Ronaldo" and "Cristiano Ronaldo" has just joined a new team Al Nassr from Saudi Arabia. But how did he end up in this situation?

Summer 2021

Ronaldo has just left Juventus to return his former team Manchester United on 31 August 2021. The Red Devils bought him for £13million. He made it clear to everyone that he wants to leave Juventus after a dissapointing season. Many big European clubs had interest in him and he had looked very likely to join Manchester City. These transfer rumours about Ronaldo moving to Manchester City made some United fans freak out. Because of this, even burnt Ronaldo's Manchester United shirts were seen. Although former Manchester United stars Rio Ferdinand and Sir Alex Ferguson convinced Ronaldo to return to his "home" Manchester United and he did.

Cristiano Ronaldo signing his contract with Manchester United in 2021

Autumn 2021

Ronaldo starde his new season with Unites with two goals in his first game back against Newcastle, he got off to the greatest possible start. A week later, he tied the score against West Ham to give fans optimism for a successful campaign.

However, things rapidly started to go wrong for Ronaldo and United as the forward went four games without scoring after his goal against West Ham. Manchester United lost at their home 0-5 aganist Liverpool and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's job was in a serious dangers. It is Ronaldo's biggest loss ever in his career. That also occurred at the same time as Manchester United's terrible slump in play, which finally resulted in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal of employment. At the time, there were rumours that Ronaldo had something to do with the Norwegian leaving, and his agent had asked for indications that something would be done. When United drew with Chelsea, interim manager Michael Carrick benched him for the match.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer got sacked by Manchester United after 4-1 loss aganist Watford on 20. November 2021

Winter 2021-2022

Michael Carrick brought Ronaldo back into the starting lineup for United's following game, and the forward scored twice as United overcame Arsenal. He later scored his first goal under Ralf Rangnick as the Red Devils defeated Norwich City away 0-1.In a late-December triumph over Burnley. He scored one and assisted on another as the Red Devils cruised against Burnley is considered as one of Ronaldo's best performances under Ralph Rangnick.

The new year began with Ronaldo captaining United in a humiliating loss against Wolves. In his next game, he was substituted off with 20 minutes left in the game, a move he plainly disagreed with as he sat down, throwing his coat on the floor.

Cristiano Ronaldo with Ralph Rangnick

Spring 2022

After a rough few months, Ronaldo returned to his best with a bang, scoring a magnificent hat-trick in a victory against Tottenham. He scored another hat-trick against Norwich two weeks later, kicking off a four-game scoring streak. He finished the season with 18 Premier League goals, but despite his performances, he was not able to carry the Red Devils into the top four. Manchester United finished 6th in the Premier League.

Ronaldo's baby son died during the spring and he dedicated a goal for him aganist Arsenal in 3-1 loss at Emirates Stadium.

Summer 2022

Ronaldo chose to submit a transfer request shortly after Erik ten Hag became a new Manchester United manager after Ralf Rangnick leaving United. He refused to join the club's pre-season tour of Asia and Australia, preferring to stay in England. At the time, it was claimed that the attacker was prepared to abandon the last year of his contract in order to depart Old Trafford. He got a lot of criticism from that.

With no clubs with his demands interested, Ronaldo was compelled to remain at United and returned to training in time for their last pre-season friendly. But he enraged Ten Hag by leaving the game against Rayo Vallecano early after being subbed off at halftime.

Ronaldo was being substituted off and starting as a substitute frequently by Erik ten Hag

Autumn 2022

Ten Hag eventually gave him his first start against Brentford in United's second Premier League game of the season, but the Bees destroyed United 4-0. Ronaldo, like the majority of the team, underperformed and was removed from the starting lineup.

After starting against Everton and Newcastle, Ronaldo was put on the bench when Tottenham came to Old Trafford in late October. But, after being told to go play by Ten Hag few minutes before the end, Ronaldo stormed down the tunnel.The incident ruined United's greatest performance since the Dutchman took over in the summer. And Ten Hag responded to Ronaldo by keeping him out of the team for the next game against Chelsea.

Rolando going to the tunnel with game going on in 2-0 victory aganist Tottenham Hotspur

November 2022

At the end of Ronaldo's second spell at United is he gave a bombshell interview to Piers Morgan. In the interwiew he told a lot of things. Although the things that got the biggest attention were his opinions on Manchester United and his former coach Erik ten Hag. He spoke of United in the following manner, “I don't know what's going on but since Sir Alex Ferguson left I saw no evolution in the club, the progress was zero.” And of ten Hag he said, "The coach didn't have respect for me. So this is why the relationship, it's in that way."

Lots of criticism recieved FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 started. Ronaldo was Portugal's captain and he had high hopes on Portugal lifting the trophy. In the middle of the World Cup came an information that Manchester United have terminated their contract with Cristiano Ronaldo with mutual consent. So Ronaldo Became a free angent.

Cristiano Ronaldo with Piers Morgan in an interwiew

December 2022

At the world cup Portugal made themselves to the knockout stages. Cristiano Ronaldo was benched for a last-16 clash aganist Switzerland because of a controversy during the team's final group game by doing a "shh" gesture by bringing his finger to his lips when being taken off against South Korea, which Portugal lost 2-1. He was replaced aganist Switzerland by a young attacker named Gonçalo Ramos, who scored a hat-trick in that game. Due the hat-trick Ronaldo was benched for the next knockout game aganist Morocco. Ronaldo was substituted on at 51th minute, when they were losing 1-0, which was the final result. Ronaldo's dream of winning the World Cup was over and he burst into tears.

Since the interwiew in November with Piers Morgan, Saudi Arabian club named Al Nassr had interest in signing him. The rumours between him signing for the club were swirling around during the World Cup, but Ronaldo said that he wants to focus on the World cup. After the world cup he came to Real Madrid's training ground with a hope of a contract with them. Eventually Real Madrid didn't make any moves referring to a contract and he had to move on. Al Nassr were still interested. An American MLS club named Sporting Kansas City were also interested in signing of Cristiano Ronaldo. They had a huge salary for him, but Al Nassr had a better offer for him with a salary of $75 million per year and a length until summer 2025. Eventually he signed for Al Nassr. The move has been a very controversial one for the world of football. Majority people wanted him to stay in Europe, but some people are very happy to see him playing there in the future.

Cristiano Ronaldo posing for a photograph with the club's jersey after signing with Al-Nassr, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

celebritiesworld cuppremier leaguefootball
Like

About the Creator

Miksu

I'm a young writer that wants to get some confidence at through this app. If you like or don't like my stories, put some feedback so I could know that, what sould I be improving on.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.