Following his recent controversial interview with Piers Morgan, Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United have once again parted ways.
145 goals and 64 assists across 346 appearances for the Red Devils sees the Portuguese leave Old Trafford with a legacy like few others, truly earning his place as one of the greatest to play the game.
But in openly criticising his club, teammates, and manager Eric ten Hag, United’s hierarchy had little choice but to cut ties with the forward seeing Ronaldo enter the World Cup with perhaps more of a point to prove than ever.
Questions of whether he can still play elite level football have been raised; mainly surrounding his immobility and lack of movement.
However, 18 Premier League goals last season – 24 in all competitions, saw Ronaldo outscore the likes of Harry Kane and Sadio Mane showing in the right system the veteran still has a lot to offer.
His most likely destination is a return to boyhood club Sporting Lisbon, however, given his wages demands the Liga Nos club may struggle to facilitate such a move.
Rumours of a switch to Premier League rivals Chelsea also refuse to go away, but considering they already have a forward roster of Pierre-Emeric Aubameyang, Kai Havertz, Armando Brojia, Raheem Sterling, and Romelu Lukaku on-loan at Inter Milan, it’s hard to see Todd Boehly sanctioning a move for yet another striker regardless of his commercial value.
Other options include a move to PSG, fulfilling every football fan’s desire to see Messi and Ronaldo line up alongside one another, or a romantic return to Real Madrid, one of the few clubs in world football capable of meeting astronomic wages.
Ronaldo will likely remain a free agent for the duration of the World Cup, however Europe’s top clubs may well be eying an audacious swoop for the five-time Ballon D’or winner in the coming weeks.
Also Get the very Latest Football Transfer News, Rumours and Gossip direct to your email.