Ronaldo has one month left as a top-level player

FT Desk

• Updated: 22 Nov 2022 18:57 GMT
• 3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo's career at Manchester United is over following news that his contract at Old Trafford has been ended by mutual consent with immediate effect.

It signals the end of his time at the club, but it also signals the end of Ronaldo's career at the top level.

In all likeliness the 2022 World Cup is the final time Ronaldo will play at the highest level. The next European Championship seems too far away for Ronaldo to make a significant impact, while he is no longer good enough to be a starting striker for a Champions league club.

READ: BREAKING: Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Man Utd with immediate effect

Ronaldo, 37, has started just four Premier League games this campaign, netting once during his 10 appearances in the competition this term.

While his overall play has consistently declined for several years, Ronaldo has always been able to fall back on his impressive goal-scoring record, but even that is no longer good enough.

His impact on Man Utd last campaign may have seen him impressively notch over 20 goals in all competitions, but he harmed the team overall, with his inability to press a major reason why the Red Devils were so easy to play through at times.

READ: 'Cristiano Ronaldo is finally free!': Twitter reacts to CR7 leaving Man Utd

Furthermore, he took away the spotlight from Bruno Fernandes, who had previously been Man Utd's most influential attacking player.

Nobody wants Ronaldo

There is a reason that no top club in Europe wanted to sign Ronaldo during the summer window and that reason is because he is not good enough to contribute anymore.

His form at Man Utd this campaign hasn't justified a starting berth, and Erik ten Hag hasn't been afraid to bench the superstar. It's telling that the likes of Marcus Rashford and an injury-prone Anthony Martial have both been preferred to Ronaldo this season; he is no longer good enough as an individual or for the team.

Furthermore, Ronaldo's interview with Piers Morgan highlighted his attitude right now, and not many clubs will want a player like that in their squad. Ronaldo is no longer the player he used to be, but he can't accept that. As a result, there is no team in Europe that he wants to join that also wants to sign him.

Therefore, this Qatar World Cup is the final month of Ronaldo's top-level career.