Piers Morgan has hit back at criticism fired at a 'finished' Cristiano Ronaldo and believes the forward's pay packet at Al-Nassr is a key reason why he is still one of the world's best players.
The 37-year-old completed his record-breaking switch to Saudi Arabia last month and has penned a £173million-a-year deal in the Middle East, putting an end to his career in Europe and any opportunity of building upon his Champions League records. Ronaldo had struggled for game time at Manchester United earlier this season and a potential exit was brewing up until he conducted an explosive interview with Morgan.
Ronaldo blasted the club, the Glazers and Erik ten Hag for their treatment of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner and he admitted he has no "respect" for the United boss. It didn't take the Red Devils long to release a statement confirming that the forward had been released from the club by mutual consent.
It put an end to Ronaldo's 15-month spell at United after returning to the club from Juventus in 2021, with the former Real Madrid man scoring 27 goals in 54 appearances. However, after his switch to Al-Nassr was confirmed, Ronaldo has been subject to heavy criticism about why he decided to make that switch. Morgan has since responded with a frank comment after being told the striker was 'finished'.
Morgan tweeted: "Last time I checked, Cristiano had just signed the biggest transfer deal in football history to become the world’s highest-paid athlete at the age of 38, playing in the only country to beat World Champions Argentina in the World Cup. That’s my kinda 'finished.'"
Is Ronaldo's career finished now he's moved to Saudi? Have your say in the comments below.
Ronaldo justified his move to Saudi by insisting there was nothing left for him to achieve in Europe. He told reporters at his press conference unveiling: "In Europe, my work is done; I won everything, I played at the most important clubs in Europe and for me now, it's a new challenge.
"This is a great opportunity. Nobody knows this but I had many opportunities in Europe, many clubs in Brazil, in Australia, in the US and even in Portugal.
"Many clubs tried to sign me but I gave my word to this club to develop not only the football but other parts of this amazing country."
Despite signing almost two weeks ago, Ronaldo has had to wait to make his competitive Al-Nassr debut after he was banned for two matches from all football due to knocking a phone out of fan Jacob Harding's hand last season. It occurred after United's 1-0 defeat at Everton, where he angrily slapped the phone on the floor following his side's defeat.
Following an investigation by the FA, Ronaldo was fined £50,000 and handed a two-game ban on November 23 - just a day after the forward's contract was terminated by United.
After the incident against Everton he issued an apology on social media for his "outburst" and invited the supporter to watch a game at Old Trafford "as a sign of fair play and sportsmanship".
