Cristiano Ronaldo remains hopeful of an exit from Manchester United this month and Atletico Madrid offer a potential escape route for the Portuguese star with Joao Felix now discussing his Portugal international teammate.
Ronaldo remains determined to depart the Red Devils this summer after just one season back at Old Trafford following his high-profile return from Juventus last year after 12 years away. He has been attempting to force through an exit for two months but no move has yet been concluded with less than a week remaining in the transfer window.
The 37-year-old was dropped to the bench for United’s spirited defeat of Liverpool on Monday. There was a fresh snub for Ronaldo at half-time too, as Erik ten Hag introduced Anthony Martial for his first appearance of the season to fill the central attacking role rather than look to the Portuguese superstar.
The list of possible destinations for Ronaldo is limited with Atletico Madrid a strong candidate to secure his signature. Despite the Portuguese superstar's links with Real Madrid – where he is the all-time record club goal scorer with a scarcely believable 450 goals in 438 appearances – he is open to joining their city rivals.
Atleti fans have protested against the possible signing but that is not detracting boss Diego Simeone, who would love for the club to land a player he has always greatly admired. Simeone believes that Ronaldo could have a similar impact to Luis Suarez – the Uruguayan joined from Barcelona in 2020 and subsequently fired them to the league title in his debut season.
Simeone would love to have Ronaldo so much that he has been described as his 'dream' signing, and the Spanish club would allow at least one forward to join United in a separate arrangement. Despite Suarez's exit this summer, Atleti are well-stocked in attack with Alvaro Morata's return to the club joining Angel Correa, Matheus Cunha, Joao Felix and Antoine Griezmann. Morata and Cunha are among the players who have been linked with a potential switch to United.
Have Your Say! Should Man Utd allow Ronaldo to leave this month ? Tell us what you think here.
Joao Felix has now commented, as per Marca, on Ronaldo’s situation at Old Trafford, and whether it may have an adverse impact on the Portuguese international setup ahead of the World Cup in Qatar this winter: "Cristiano is always Cristiano, even if he is not playing now. It is an honour to have him in the team, even if now I think he is 38 years old (Ronaldo is 37, he will turn 38 in February). That is an honour. It is always good, and the fact that Manchester United are not doing well and he is not playing. I don't think it affects us."
The Atleti forward also said he found it “difficult to adapt” initially to Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side following his 2019 switch from Benfica, but now he feels “more comfortable” with the side’s style of play.
Joao Felix added: "At first it was difficult, because I wasn't used to having that pressure, but over time, with the right people around me, with the club, the situation normalised. I can perfectly live with that." He added that Simeone, is "one of the most special coaches in football" and that he manages to transmit his passion "to the players and the fans."
