Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual consent. The 37-year-old is currently on Portugal duty at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. “Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect,” read a club statement.
“The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future.”
Ronaldo’s first spell at United, from 2003 to 2009, was glorious. He helped them win three Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup™. His second, however, had gone sour. After an impressive first season following a move from Juventus, he scored just one goal in 10 Premier League appearances in 2022/23.
Ronaldo will now have to fully focus on Portugal’s Qatar 2022 campaign, which begins against Ghana on Thursday. The Iberians will also face Uruguay and Korean Republic in Group H.
Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United “with immediate effect,” the Premier League club said Tuesday, days after he gave an explosive interview criticizing manager Erik ten Hag and the club’s owners.
It wasn’t known where the 37-year-old Ronaldo would go next after failing to secure a move to a Champions League club in the summer.
“Following conversations with Manchester United, we have mutually agreed to end our contract early,” Ronaldo said. “I love Manchester United, and I love the fans; that will never ever change. However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new challenge.
“I wish the team every success for the remainder of the season and for the future.”
