According to ESPN, Cristiano Ronaldo has filed an official request to move out of Manchester United this summer in order to continue playing Champions League football next season.
The Times broke the story first.
The Portugal captain returned to United for a second term a year ago, scoring 18 goals in 30 league matches, but the squad finished sixth in the Premier League and failed to compete for next season’s leading European club competition.
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Ronaldo, 37, is under contractual obligation with the Red Devils until June 2023, with an option to extend it for another year, but has requested a transfer.
As per the ESPN report, United has informed Ronaldo that he will not be available for transfer this summer and that the club expects him to stay for the remainder of his contract.
Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Napoli are among the clubs interested in signing Ronaldo, reported ESPN.
Despite his proclaimed respect and affection for United and their fans, the former Real Madrid great believes that playing in the Champions League will provide him with the incentive he requires at the end of his career. Ronaldo is believed to value participation in the Champions League and contending for major titles.
Erik ten Hag, the head coach of Ajax, has been chosen to replace interim coach Ralf Rangnick, and during his introduction last month, he stated that Ronaldo was part of his ambitions for the coming season.
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Ronaldo joined United in 2003 after leaving Sporting CP in Portugal.
Before departing for Real Madrid in 2009, he scored 118 goals in 292 games. He joined Juventus in 2018.
Ronaldo failed to win the Champions League during his three seasons with Juventus, but he did with United in 2008 and Madrid four times. For the last two seasons, he was at Turin, he was the leading scorer in Serie A, with 101 goals in 134 appearances.
In his career, the former Real Madrid great has won 32 honours, including seven league titles and five Champions Leagues.
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He led Portugal to Euro 2016 victory as well as the 2019 UEFA Nations League title.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, holds the men’s global record for most international goals scored (117).
He will lead Portugal at the World Cup later this year.
