'Ronaldo had been waiting for a long time to give that interview'
Karan Tejwani
- 25 Nov 2022 22:50 GMT
- 4 min read
Manchester United announced on Tuesday that they reached a mutual agreement with Cristiano Ronaldo for the termination of his contract.
Ronaldo’s future at the club was always in doubt after his interview with Piers Morgan where he criticized the structure, Glazer family, Erik ten Hag and more.
He has wanted to leave the club all summer and the agreement was finally reached on Wednesday, with the player free to join any club he wishes from here on.
READ: Man Utd set to miss out on FIFA payment after Ronaldo sacking
Now, his former manager Andrea Pirlo has suggested that the interview was planned long before and that Ronaldo wanted it to be this way.
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Pirlo speaks on Ronaldo interview
Pirlo managed Juventus and Ronaldo in the 2020-21 campaign and was asked about Ronaldo’s interview and his departure from Manchester United.
“I think Ronaldo had been waiting for a long time to give that interview. He’d prepared everything beforehand,” Pirlo told Diretta.it.
READ: Don't go! Cristiano Ronaldo to Al-Hilal would prove Ten Hag right
“Ronaldo has always had pressure on him and always will, that’s not an issue for him. I don’t think it put pressure on the Portugal squad either, because even if he hadn’t given that interview, the media still would’ve asked him questions about Manchester United during the World Cup.
“I think this is why he decided to get it out of the way, like pulling out a tooth that is wobbly, and now he’ll be even more fired up than before.”
Pirlo had experience of managing Ronaldo and described what it was like working with the Portuguese star, adding what it takes to be his manager.
"The best player you've ever seen? Excluding yourself?"
Piers Morgan asks Cristiano Ronaldo his true feelings about Lionel Messi as a player and a person.
Watch live: https://t.co/ajbahBvQpp@cristiano | @piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #90MinutesWithRonaldo | #PMU pic.twitter.com/sj5q1VeuLs— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) November 17, 2022
“I got along very well with Ronaldo. He’s an interesting character, a real professional. I think it’s important to find the right balance and be empathetic.”
In their season working together, Ronaldo scored 36 goals in 44 matches, being the league’s top scorer but the club failed to win the league title.
