Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit from Manchester United queried by Luis Figo – who says CR7 could play in 2026 World Cup
- Speaking on visit to Hong Kong, Figo suggests Manchester United erred when they let his fellow Portuguese leave – ‘He is a player you always want in your team’
- Ronaldo can carry on until 2026 World Cup, says Figo, who supports leading players’ Saudi moves
Portugal and Real Madrid legend Luis Figo has questioned the wisdom of Manchester United allowing Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Old Trafford last year.
Speaking during a visit to Hong Kong, Figo defended players for moving to Saudi Arabia, saying he nearly did likewise in 2007, and suggested fellow Portugal and Real great Ronaldo, now 38, could yet play in another Fifa World Cup in his forties.
Five-times Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia last December following a stormy end to his second United stint.
The forward fell out of favour under manager Erik Ten Hag, before blasting the club in a television interview. He said he felt “betrayed” by Manchester United, and did not respect Dutchman Ten Hag, and claimed the Premier League giants had “stopped in time”.
The quarrelling lit a match to Ronaldo’s relationship with United, where he won three Premier League titles and one Champions League in his first stay between 2003 and 2009.
He scored 27 goals in 54 appearances – 45 starts – in his second spell, after rejoining from Juventus in August 2021.
Ronaldo has netted 32 times in 37 Al Nassr appearances, while United, who go to Everton on Sunday, remain miles from recapturing the success of the Sir Alex Ferguson era, a decade after the Scot’s retirement.
“Cristiano had to leave because the relationship with the manager was not so good, but he continues to score goals,” Figo, visiting Hong Kong as an ambassador for Mastercard, told the Post.
“The club has to consider what the coach wants, and what is best for the team.
“But you have to look at his form since he left to analyse whether it was a good decision from Manchester United. Even if he is getting older, he always performs and scores. For me, he is a player you always want in your team.”
The indefatigable Ronaldo started both of Portugal’s European Championship qualifiers this month, increasing his caps tally to 205, and is reestablished after being dropped during last year’s World Cup.
The veteran is a shoo-in to feature at next summer’s European finals, fitness permitting, with Figo making Portugal one of his three favourites along with France and England.
And Figo was not ruling out Ronaldo playing in his sixth World Cup in 2026, when he will be 41.
Real Madrid galacticos’ trip to Hong Kong recalled as Morientes returns to town
“Mentally, he is always strong and wants more,” Figo said. “When you reach a certain age, it is harder physically, what you can do depends on your body. But if he wants to keep playing at a high level, and keeps his condition, he can do it.”
Figo was talking at an event for Citi credit card customers in Central, where he appeared on stage with former Hong Kong captain Chan Wai-ho, who faced him 20 years when Real visited to take on a national team XI.
The 51-year-old, who earned 127 Portugal caps, was on the cusp of a lucrative move from Inter to Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia in 2007, long before it was the done thing.
The transfer fell through, but Figo insisted he had no issues with Ronaldo and others joining Saudi clubs.
“A footballer should always make the decision they feel is right for their career,” he said. “I chose to go to Saudi Arabia, because I wanted to play for some additional years, at another [lower] level. But the club did not meet the conditions agreed, so it did not happen.”
