Leaving Manchester United Makes Cristiano Ronaldo A Better Man

Al Nassr player Cristiano Ronaldo. (Photo: Twitter/@AlNassrFC)

JAKARTA - Al Nasr's player, Cristiano Ronaldo admitted, became a better figure after leaving Manchester United. He admitted that he had gone through a bad phase of his career.

This was revealed by Cristiano Ronaldo when asked about his departure from Manchester United at the beginning of the year.

Ronaldo actually returned to Manchester United in 2021 with a satisfactory score. He scored 24 goals in 38 matches in all competitions in the 2021/2022 season.

However, Erik ten Hag's arrival at Old Trafford in the summer reduced his playing time. This made Ronaldo unhappy.

He expressed his disrespect in an exclusive interview with Piers Morgan. At that time, he publicly criticized Manchester United and Erik ten Hag.

The interview caused his contract to end with mutual approval and he later joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr after the World Cup.

"I have no problem saying I went through a bad phase in my career, but there was no time to regret it," he told a news conference ahead of the 2024 European Cup qualifying match between Portugal and Liechtenstein, quoted by the Daily Mail via Antara, Thursday, March 23.

"Life goes on, either or not, it's part of my growth. While at the top of the mountain, we often can't see what's below."

"Right now, I'm better prepared and learning is important, because I've never experienced this, like in the last few months. Now I'm a better man."

There is speculation that the 38-year-old forward will end his international career after the World Cup in Qatar. But the arrival of Roberto Martinez as the new coach of the Portugal national team has given him new optimism.

Portugal will play against Liechtenstein in the Euro 2024 qualifiers on Friday, March 24, early morning WIB before facing Luxembourg on Monday, March 27. In those two matches, Ronaldo will try to show that he can still appear at the international level.

"This is a different chapter for all of us. The energy is good, positive, that's the most important thing. There is fresh air now, different ideas and mentality," he concluded.