Cristiano Ronaldo is at risk of sabotaging his connection with the fans of both Manchester United and Real Madrid this summer, as a move to Atletico Madrid remains a possibility.
Ronaldo left Madrid in 2018 as he joined Juventus, but left Los Blancos as perhaps the greatest player in their history. After lighting up the Premier League with United as a teenager, he joined Madrid in 2009, but returned to Old Trafford to further his legacy with the Red Devils.
However, Ronaldo looks set to leave United after just 12 months as his future remains unsolved following a disastrous Premier League season. But despite assurances over his loyalty, Ronaldo previously made it clear that he wasn't concerned about 'haters', and would always focus on his 'personal business' over anything else.
Ronaldo left his boyhood club Sporting Lisbon to join United in 2003, and quickly became one of the best players in the world under Sir Alex Ferguson. The Portuguese star even proved his loyalty by promising to stay for an extra season after Madrid came calling, and stuck to his word as he delayed his departure.
The now five-time Ballon d'Or winner remains a Madrid and United legend, and is yet to anger fans with any transfer movement. But his loyalty has been tested over the past 12 months.
Firstly, Ronaldo was linked with a move to Manchester City before returning to United, and some fans even began to burn shirts as they believed that their former hero would join their bitter rivals. But Ronaldo remained loyal, until now.
Ronaldo is one of the most decorated Champions League players of all-time, and his desperation to continue that legacy has left him at a crossroads with United, as the Portuguese star must move in order to remain in the competition. And earlier in the window Ronaldo was linked with a move to Chelsea.
Again, reports have failed to materialise, but his prolonged exit stance so close to the Premier League season is already turning United fans against him. And following fresh rumours that he could join former Madrid rivals Atletico, now the Los Blancos fans are ready to riot.
But Ronaldo made it clear back in 2017 that he isn't worried about what the 'haters' think, as he continues to do what's best for his career. Ronaldo said: "I just don't care about that (hate), I just try to do my job, try to be myself.
"Haters, everyone has haters, not only me. It's part of the business. I go to bed every night in a good mood, happy, I sleep good every night. I'm not here to make my haters happy, I'm hear to make my fans happy because they are loyal to me."
Ronaldo has an extremely loyal fanbase, and as the most followed man on Instagram it's clear that no matter what he does there will be an immense amount of love for him. But with a move proving more difficult than expected, Atletico may be one of the only options for Ronaldo, though it will come at a price.
The 37-year-old's reputation may have taken a slight knock at United this summer, but he will always be deeply loved regardless of if there is a bitter end. But the same can't be said for Los Blancos, who would surely disregard the star should he join their city rivals.
Ronaldo is desperate to carry on in his career despite his age, but with a move back to Juventus and Madrid out of the question, that leaves few options. Paris Saint Germain aren't willing to take the risk with the egos they already have, and another Premier League switch is also off the cards.
That leaves Bayern Munich and Atletico, unless Ronaldo is prepared to take a major wage cut and return home to Lisbon. That would be the most accepted move of them all, and the safest in terms of reputation, but Ronaldo's standards and personal goals may stand in the way.
There is a lot to weight up for Ronaldo this summer, and even Ten Hag may be assessing his options as Anthony Martial has starred during pre-season in his absence. But the Premier League is now less than two weeks away, and with Ronaldo still yet to train with United, he's not leaving a lot of time to make a concrete decision.
