CELEBRITY

Ronaldo set to dump Manchester United

Published

3 years ago

February 12, 2022

With goal drought setting in amidst his ageing skill, Manchester United superstar is reported thinking of abandoning the rickety Manchester United ship this summer.

The celebrated striker has failed to score in his last five matches and had to be relegated to the bench at the midweek draw with Burnley

According to Football Mirror, Ronaldo has reportedly told close friends he is starting to ‘feel his age’ amid his longest goal drought in more than 10 years.

He has failed to score in 2022, with his last goal coming against Burnley on December 30.

In total, Ronaldo has found the net in just six of his 18 Premier League appearances and has cut an increasingly frustrated figure under interim boss Ralf Rangnick.

The 37-year-old was named as a substitute for the return clash with the Clarets in midweek, with Edinson Cavani preferred from the start.

Ronaldo did come off the bench with 20 minutes to go, but failed to find a late winner as United dropped vital points in the race for a top four finish.

Since signing from Juventus at the end of the summer window, Ronaldo has spoken openly and honestly about his unhappiness at the current direction of the club.

Having won three Premier League titles and a Champions League during his first stint with the club, the Portuguese international has come back to a team in a very different moment.

And in a candid interview conducted at the start of January, Ronaldo admitted that he hadn’t returned to Old Trafford to not compete for major honours.

“I don’t want to be here to be in sixth place, or seventh place, or fifth place,” Ronaldo told Sky Sports. “I’m here to try to win, to compete. I think to build up good things, sometimes you have to destroy a few things.

“We are capable of changing things now. I know the way but I’m not going to mention it here because I don’t think it’s ethical on my part to say that.

“What I can say is we can do better – all of us. Manchester United belongs to important things, so we have to change that.

“I think we compete but we are not yet in our best level. But we have a long way to improve and I believe if we change our mind, we can achieve big things.”

His public declarations of unhappiness have opened the door to a potential exit this summer, despite signing a two-year contract which could yet be extended until 2024.

CELEBRITY

Ronaldo reaches one billion followers on social media

Published

7 days ago

September 13, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo crossed one billion followers across his social media accounts, aided by his newly-launched YouTube channel that has attracted more than 60 million subscribers in just over three weeks.

Ronaldo, who scored his 900th career goal last week to help Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in the Nations League, is the first human being to reach a billion followers on social media, global media reports said.

“We’ve made history, one billion followers! This is more than just a number, it’s a testament to our shared passion, drive, and love for the game and beyond,” Ronaldo posted on X.

“You’ve been with me every step of the way, through all the highs and the lows. This journey is our journey… thank you for believing in me, for your support, and for being part of my life.”

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player reached the milestone with over 639 million followers on Instagram, 170 million on Facebook and 113 million on X.

The 39-year-old topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes this year, with off-field earnings of $60 million, boosted by his large social media following.

Ronaldo’s club Al-Nassr will host Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.

-Reuters

CELEBRITY

Over a million subscribe as Ronaldo launches YouTube channel

Published

4 weeks ago

August 21, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Euro 2024 - Quarter Final - Portugal v France - Hamburg Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Germany - July 5, 2024 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo after taking a penalty during the penalty shootout REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File photo

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo launched his YouTube channel on Wednesday and hundreds of thousands of subscribers signed up within a couple of hours.

The 39-year-old five-times Ballon D’Or winner plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.

“The wait is over. My @YouTube channel is finally here! SIUUUbscribe and join me on this new journey,” Ronaldo posted on his social media accounts.

A couple of hours after posting his first video, 1.69M subscribers had joined he channel.

Ronaldo has 112.5 million followers on the X platform, 170 million on Facebook and 636 million on Instagram.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United player is preparing for his team’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al-Raed on Thursday.

-Reuters

CELEBRITY

Lionel Messi set to hang boots

Published

3 months ago

June 13, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Messi Sets Record Straight Over Hong Kong Absence -

Inter Miami will be the last club Argentina captain Lionel Messi plays for, the 36-year-old forward said on Wednesday, adding he feels “a little bit scared” at the thought of the day he decides to retire.

Messi, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, has a contract with the Major League Soccer side until 2025 following his arrival last summer after a spell with French champions Paris St Germain.

“Inter Miami will be my last club. I love playing football. I enjoy everything even more because I am aware that there is less and less left,” Messi told ESPN.

“I’m not ready to leave football. I’ve done this all my life, I love playing football, I enjoy training, the day-to-day, the matches… And yes, there’s always a little bit of fear that it’s all over.”

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is preparing with his national team to defend their Copa America title, with the tournament kicking off on June 20 in the United States.

Argentina will take on Canada in the opening match before facing Group A rivals Chile on June 25 and Peru four days later.

-Reuters