Cristiano Ronaldo responds to accusation that he became “lost” at Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United in November 2022 after he was deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming to Old Trafford started as a fairytale, with the player scoring twice on his second debut in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United.

However, his second season back at Manchester United saw the player want to leave in the summer, but after no offers came through, his contract was eventually terminated in November after an unsanctioned interview scathing the club.

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Ronaldo now plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, and sitting down for an interview with Portuguese newspaper Record, he has reflected on his last 18 months, addressing the notion that he became “lost” at Old Trafford.

“I’m not surprised by my level as I know that I still have a lot of possibilities to offer,” Ronaldo said. “I know that I can provide a lot of goals for Al Nassr and the national team, so it was incredible on a personal level to score 54 goals.

“If you go back and see what happened at Manchester United and the national team, people actually considered me lost, but the truth is that I focused and had a great period of preparation for the new season with Al Nassr, me and the technical staff led by Castro.

“I think they were important in motivating me to have a great season, and it’s clear that I was surprised in that aspect, but it didn’t surprise me in winning. I know that I still have a lot of possibilities to offer, and I know that I can provide a lot of goals for Al Nassr and the national team, so it was incredible on a personal level.

“As you said, well, the 54 goals I scored, there may be those who say it’s easier because I’m in Saudi Arabia. But football professionals know that it is difficult to score goals, whether in Saudi Arabia or in Italy, Spain or Portugal. 

“A goal is a goal. In a way, I feel even more proud to have beaten Haaland, Mbappé and Kane.”