CHRIS WHEELER: Ronaldo’s latest antics come as no surprise to Man United fans as he continues to rage against the dying of the light. Stealing the spotlight from Ramos was UNFORGETTABLE
For Manchester United fans, and probably everyone else who has watched Cristiano Ronaldo’s rather sad demise at club level, the scenes at Lusail on Tuesday night will be depressingly familiar.
Ronaldo left the stage alone, thunder-faced, full of the knowledge that he was drawing attention away from his teammates, just as they deserved to enjoy their moment in the spotlight.
God knows Ronaldo has enjoyed enough of that over the years. Now, like many icons before him, he rages against the dying of the light.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest antics will not surprise any Manchester United fan
The former United star walked right past the media boards as his team-mates celebrated
When Ronaldo turned his back on Portugal’s celebrations after beating Switzerland 6-1, it was impossible to draw comparisons to countless occasions when he did the same during his brief second spell at United.
The best player was the moment against Tottenham in October when he refused to come on as a substitute and then left Old Trafford before full-time.
Speaking to MUTV on Wednesday, Erik ten Hag believed the win over Spurs was United’s best result under him, but Ronaldo’s amazing act of disobedience will be remembered.
Erik ten Hag’s best win as United manager against Spurs will be remembered for Ronaldo’s exit
Alejandro Garnacho’s win against Fulham was eclipsed by his interview with Piers Morgan
When United signed off ahead of the World Cup by beating Fulham with an injury-time winner from Alejandro Garnacho, that was overshadowed within hours by the first bitter excerpts of his interview with Piers Morgan, which led to his departure from Old Trafford.
Now he’s taking the glory away from Goncalo Ramos, his substitute for Portugal who scored a hat-trick against the Swiss, and that’s just unforgivable.
Like Ten Hag before him, Fernando Santos has come to the conclusion that his side would be better off without Ronaldo in the starting XI.
It’s sad, but that’s life. At 37, even Ronaldo can’t hold back the time at this World Cup in the desert.
At 37, even Ronaldo can’t hold back the time at this World Cup in the desert
Al Nassr may offer him incredible fortunes to stay out of the tournament and play in Saudi Arabia, but there’s no rush from top clubs wanting to sign him as a free agent.
Ronaldo’s power and pace have dropped so much this season that it’s almost sad to see. Can he still score or take a penalty? Of course he can. Maybe to win a world championship.
But Ten Hag and Santos are not blind. Neither have the legions of fans who have followed Ronaldo’s glittering career. Almost the only one who doesn’t see his time at the top coming to an end is the man himself.
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