Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer: Is CR7 leaving Manchester United and which clubs are likely to acquire him?

Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer: Is CR7 leaving Manchester United and which clubs are likely to acquire him?

Kenneth Mwenda
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:15 PM

Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer from Manchester United appears to be imminent. This is largely due to his fallout from the first team and his relationship with the manager. However, his age has also played a role in his recent poor performance, which even led to a rift between him and the former Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri, when CR7 was at Juve. It now appears that the Portuguese may be forced to end his career in MLS, as a number of other superstars have.

Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer: Is CR7 leaving Manchester United and which clubs are likely to acquire him?
Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the UEFA Europa League group E match between Manchester United and Omonia Nikosia at Old Trafford on October 13, 2022, in Manchester, England. Photo: James Gill
Source: Getty Images

Ronaldo has been a versatile attacker who can play on either wing as well as through the centre of the field, being very strong with both feet. He was known for his dribbling and flair, frequently displaying a variety of tricks and feints.

When did Cristiano Ronaldo transfer back to Manchester United?

He returned to Old Trafford at the start of the 2021/22 season, and his transfer fee was reported to be $14.86 million, with a two-year contract plus an optional year. Ronaldo was given the number 7 shirt, which belonged to Edinson Cavani, after the Uruguayan agreed to switch to number 21. The first 24 hours of Ronaldo's shirt sales were reported to have broken the all-time record after a transfer, surpassing that of Messi's move to PSG.

He was the standout performer in a poor Premier League team that finished sixth. Ronaldo had 18 goals and three assists in the league. Only Son Heung-min and Mo Salah (23) had more goals than the Portuguese forward. His season got off to a good start, as his second appearance for United ended with a brace in a 4-1 win over Newcastle.

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Ronaldo scored nine goals in his last seven appearances, including two hat-tricks against Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur. Throughout the season, the club legend was present in the big games, directly contributing to nine goals against the 'big six' opposition.

Cristiano Ronaldo's illustrious career

Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer fee
Cristiano Ronaldo poses with his five Golden Ball (Ballon d'Or) trophies prior to start a La Liga match at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Angel Martinez
Source: Getty Images

Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, having won five Ballon d'Or awards and four European Golden Shoes, the most ever by a European player. He has won 32 trophies in his career, including seven league titles, five UEFA Champions Leagues, and the UEFA European Championship.

Ronaldo, one of the world's most marketable and famous athletes, was named Forbes' highest-paid athlete in 2016 and 2017 and ESPN's most-famous athlete from 2016 to 2019. In 2014, Time magazine named him one of the world's 100 most influential people. He became the first footballer and only the third athlete in history to have a net worth of $1 billion.

The all-time top scorer

Ronaldo is the all-time leading Real Madrid and Portugal scorer in all competitions. He also holds the records for the most Champions League appearances (183), goals (140), and assists (42), goals in the European Championship (14), international goals (117), and international appearances by a European (191). He is one of only a few players to have appeared in over 1,100 professional games and scored over 800 official senior career goals for club and country.

Why is Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Manchester United?

Why is Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Manchester United?
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo during the Premier League match between United and Everton at Goodison Park, Liverpool. Picture date: Sunday October 9, 2022. Photo: Peter Byrne.
Source: Getty Images

The Portuguese forward has spent the majority of Erik ten Hag's reign on the bench. With Manchester United adding another attacker in Antony, Cristiano's playing time may become even more limited. He has only two goals this season, one in the Premier League and one in the Europa League.

His situation deteriorated during the match against Tottenham Hotspur. It is believed that the manager requested that Ronaldo come on as a substitute in the 89th minute. However, the striker was then seen walking down the tunnel before full-time and later leaving.

Ronaldo left Old Trafford before the game for the second time; Ten Hag also chastised the forward and a number of other players for leaving the club's pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano at halftime. He was also accused of leaving the stadium before the match ended in 2019 during a Juventus match against AC Milan after he was substituted in the 55th minute.

His behavior during the Tottenham clash made the manager leave him out of the squad travelling to Stamford Bridge. However, he later returned to Carrington to train with the first team ahead of the Europa League match against Sheriff Tiraspol.

Is Ronaldo going to Chelsea?

Is Ronaldo going to Chelsea?
Cristiano Ronaldo sits on the substitutes bench during the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester United at Turf Moor on February 8, 2022, in Burnley. Photo: Robbie Jay Barratt.
Source: Getty Images

According to the latest news, Chelsea is interested in signing Cristiano, but it is something different from what the manager is pushing for. Todd Boehly has been adamant about signing Ronaldo since taking over the club and still believes it will happen.

Potter has other targets in mind, and Cristiano does not fit into the system Potter wants to implement at Chelsea. Thus, Ronaldo would not be signed by Chelsea unless he had the manager's full support.

Which clubs are likely to acquire Ronaldo?

At the moment, Roma is thought to be a more likely destination for Ronaldo and Jorge Mendes. People close to Mendes believe Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Chelsea is unlikely, and a move to the MLS is even more likely.

With the retirement of Gonzalo Higuain, Beckham's club Inter Miami now has a vacant spot. This position would allow them to bring in Ronaldo and pay him what he desires.

Beckham would almost certainly have to persuade Cristiano to join the MLS, which has been dubbed a "retirement league" in recent years. Gareth Bale and Giorgio Chiellini were the most recent to join, and despite his 37-year-old age, the Portuguese forward believes he has a few more years in him.

Cristiano Ronaldo in the football world

Latest news on Cristiano Ronaldo transfer
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates during the Semi Final Second Leg match between Real Madrid and Bayern at the Bernabeu on May 1, 2018. Photo: David Ramos.
Source: Getty Images

His reputation has grown since his early days at Manchester United. He has many sponsorship deals for consumer products such as sportswear and football boots. Cristiano has worn the Nike Mercurial Vapor personalized CR7 edition and marketed soft drinks, clothing, automotive lubricants, financial services, electronics, and video games.

He was the cover star of EA Sports' FIFA 18 video game and was heavily involved in its promotion. His goal celebration "Siuu" appears in the FIFA series, accompanied by his own voiceover. He was also the face of Pro Evolution Soccer, appearing on the game's covers in 2008, 2012, and 2013.

Cristiano Ronaldo's contract with Manchester United expires at the end of the season. If he can reach an agreement with Ten Hag and United, he may be allowed to leave on a free transfer in January.

READ ALSO: Gonzalo Higuain's retirement, teams played for, career achievements, career stats, age, net worth

Sportsbrief.com has published an article about Gonzalo Higuain's retirement, teams played for, career achievements, career stats, age, net worth, and more. The Argentine legend broke down in tears after playing his last football match on 18th October 2022.

He enjoyed great spells with Real Madrid, Napoli, Chelsea, and Juventus. Gonzalo Higuain's retirement comes barely a month before Qatar's 2022 FIFA World Cup. Click the above link to read more!

Authors
Kenneth Mwenda photo
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a business and sports writer with over five years of experience. At Sportsbrief, he contributes to writing biographies and listicles.