Former Real Madrid forward Antonio Cassano has torn into Cristiano Ronaldo, accusing the Manchester United striker of having a "disproportionate ego" and putting "his teammates in trouble".
Ronaldo, 37, is public enemy number one at Old Trafford after extracts of his scathing interview with Piers Morgan were drip-fed ahead of its full release on Wednesday and Thursday. This comes after he was punished by Erik ten Hag for refusing to come off the bench against Tottenham in October and leaving the stadium before full-time.
The rest of the Red Devils squad would be happy to see Ronaldo leave and the club are even exploring the possibility of sacking the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. But ex-Italy striker Cassano would like to see another outcome: Ronaldo retiring after the World Cup.
The 40-year-old believes the Portugal captain should have returned to Sporting Lisbon in the summer, when he pushed to leave Old Trafford, and must hang up his boots after the Qatar tournament this winter. Cassano also accused Ronaldo of putting "his selfishness first" at the expense of his teammates and his coaches - in stark contrast to Lionel Messi - and highlighted how he has not congratulated Karim Benzema on winning the Ballon d'Or.
"Now, I say that Ronaldo does not have the courage to admit that for three years he is no longer himself," he told Bobo TV, per Sport Witness. "This year, he had to go to Sporting Lisbon and then quit after the World Cup.
"He's a problem for the coaches, he puts his teammates in trouble. He didn't even call Benzema to congratulate him. He has a blindfold in front of his eyes and thinks he can play until he's 50. Dear Ronaldo, I tell you one thing: finish big with the World Cup.
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"He can't keep throwing tantrums and he can't think he can still play at a high level. He has such a disproportionate ego, but he is not like Messi who can also play sitting down. He can't physically cope anymore. He is confirming that he always puts his selfishness first."
While Ronaldo has almost certainly played his final game for United, it appears hugely unlikely that he will retire from football. The former Los Blancos and Juventus talisman remains in phenomenal physical condition and has previously declared he can continue playing at the top level for many more years.
However, with his United career is all but over, finding a new team to ply his trade with could be difficult, as options are proving hard to come by for the all-time leading goalscorer. A return to Sporting has been touted after Ruben Amorim opened up on his admiration for Ronaldo.
