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Manchester United

Premier League • England

Cristiano Ronaldo: Surprise suitor makes direct offer as another relationship threatens to turn sour

Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is at odds with agent Jorge Mendes as another relationship threatens to break down, and a report has revealed a surprise suitor have made a direct offer to the Man Utd and Portugal legend.

The 37-year-old has endured a nightmare few months on the field. His minutes at Manchester United became increasingly few and far between under Erik ten Hag. With his situation reaching a crossroads, Ronaldo conducted an ill-advised and explosive interview with TalkTV’s Piers Morgan.

That resulted in Ronaldo leaving United by mutual termination after laying waste to the club, its employees and former teammates including Gary Neville. Ronaldo officially became a free agent, though his attention was understandably elsewhere.

Now into his late 30s, the mid-season World Cup likely represented Ronaldo’s last chance to win football’s greatest prize.

However, Ronaldo struggled throughout the tournament and was dropped to the bench for Portugal’s last two clashes in Qatar. Fernando Santos’ side bowed out to Morocco at the quarter-final stage, leaving Ronaldo’s glittering CV devoid of the biggest trophy in world football.

All eyes are on where Ronaldo will play his domestic football next. His preference is understood to be staying in Europe where he hopes to continue his Champions League legacy.

However, interest from those that can offer UCL football is scarce. That’s prompted growing talk a move to the cash-rich Middle East could be on the cards.

Saudi Arabian sides Al Hilal and Al Nassr have both been linked. However, per Spanish publication AS, Ronaldo is being courted by the head of the Qatar Stars League.

The league’s chief, Antero Henrique, is banking on Ronaldo enjoying his recent stay in Qatar and hoping to remain.

Henrique is said to have approached Ronaldo directly and completely bypassed the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes.

The Sun state Mendes is working on an ‘alternative proposal’, thus suggesting Ronaldo and Mendes are no longer on the same page.

Mendes has represented Ronaldo for 20 years dating back to 2003. It’s claimed their relationship is eroding and Ronaldo may wind up seeing another relationship go by the wayside. Indeed, Ronaldo is reportedly ‘no longer listening’ to Mendes.

Whether Ronaldo is receptive to the Qatari interest remains to be seen. Neither outlet have an answer in that regard.

Al Nassr coach breaks silence on Cristiano Ronaldo links

The firmest interest in Ronaldo thus far has come from Saudi Arabia.

Al Nassr head coach, Rudi Garcia, recently weighed in on the speculation, and surprisingly claimed he was close to becoming Man Utd manager in 2021.

Garcia said: “I think that any coach would be delighted to train a great star like Cristiano and already in November 2021 I was very close to going to United.

“They chose Ralf Rangnick, but I met twice with John Murtough and Darren Fletcher.

“I came very close to coaching this club and was very motivated to go, who wouldn’t be motivated to coach United? Any coach. United’s simple interest has allowed me to be sure of my ambitions in the future.

“I have always thought that the great players are the easiest to manage because they are very intelligent, I verified this with Francesco Totti at Roma.”

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