Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the biggest brand of a footballer ever. That brand has been built around his towering goalscoring abilities. That in turn has been down to the number of games he's played. But right now, Cristiano Ronaldo is not playing many games.
His involvement hasn't particularly affected Manchester United's on-pitch form - they managed to beat fellow top-four contenders Tottenham comfortably enough on Wednesday night without the Real Madrid and Portugal legend.
But perhaps it was that idle feeling that caused Ronaldo to storm off down the touchline before that midweek game had even reached the 90th-minute mark. Naturally, that brought him the spotlight with the most awkward attempted upstaging since Kanye and Tay-Tay.
A five-time Ballon d'Or winner he may be, but Ronaldo brought the fury and ire out of manager Erik ten Hag by refusing to appear against Spurs as a substitute, and the Dutchman's own brand of justice has been swift and severe.
While only stating he would 'deal' with the problem later when asked after the 2-0 win, Ten Hag has been back by United who have confirmed Ronaldo will not be part of the squad to face Chelsea at the weekend.
Ronaldo had already tried to leave Old Trafford in the summer, though was unsuccessful due to a lack of interested suitors, and 90min revealed earlier in October that United are prepared to let the forward leave in January if the right offer comes.
For now, however, his toxic attitude is not winning him any new admirers.
Dropping Ronaldo is hugely significant, for me.#MUFC have been putting players first for years. An indicator that this has finally changed?
— Scott Saunders (@_scottsaunders) October 20, 2022
Ronaldo suspended by the club for the Chelsea game. Had to happen otherwise they look weak
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) October 20, 2022
At least the majority of those that used to say Cristiano Ronaldo was better than Lionel Messi will now slowly start to change their minds to the correct answer.
— Ben Ramsdale (@benaramsdale) October 20, 2022
Fergie always said the most important person at a football club is the manager.
— Rob Blanchette (@_Rob_B) October 20, 2022
Erik ten Hag is Manchester United, now.
He's the most important entity. No one player, not even Cristiano Ronaldo, can change that fact.#MUFC finally have a worthy, strong leader. Our manager. pic.twitter.com/Gue2LzyRRb
A show of strength from Erik ten Hag. His decision, fully endorsed by United hierarchy.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) October 20, 2022
Erik ten Hag inherited a squad that was at its lowest ebb, signed a load of mint players got everyone’s confidence back and has dealt with the Ronaldo drama swiftly and decisively.
— Jay Motty (@JayMotty) October 20, 2022
He’s shaping up to be the manager we’ve been crying out for since SAF.
There is also the below opinion:
Disgraceful. Ten Hag once again opting to humiliate the greatest footballer in history & Utd’s top scorer last season… @Cristiano should find another club asap where they treat him with the respect he’s earned. https://t.co/gSMYwGxEbb
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 20, 2022
It's not a very good opinion, but it's an opinion.
Most importantly, however, is the GOAT debate, and this latest show of childish drama has Lionel Messi fans dishing out Ls to every Ronaldo stan they can find.
I pray that Messi is retired before he ever gets to the level of finished that Ronaldo is
— R (@Lionel30i) October 20, 2022
Hold that ratio, @CR7crymore555.
But finally, this show of strength from Ten Hag shows there's a new Erik in town.
There’s a new King Erik in town. pic.twitter.com/AYXVqyo6OI
— Scott Saunders (@_scottsaunders) October 20, 2022
Ronaldo is still seen as a legendary figure by his teammates at United, but with the side winning games and moving up the Premier League after two horrible opening defeats, his future involvement following this babyish indiscretion is in major doubt.
Source : 90min