Messi world's highest paid athlete with Ronaldo also featuring in Top 10
Cristiano Ronaldo missed a farewell meal put on for departing Manchester United staff members last week. But while Ralf Rangnick believed that decision hinted at a ‘fractured team spirit’ within the camp, it actually speaks volumes about the Portugal international. Celebrating, after a season like this, simply isn’t in his DNA.
Cristiano Ronaldo recently missed a Man Utd farewell meal (Image: GETTY)
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In his eyes, there is nothing to celebrate. This was United’s worst-ever season in the Premier League era which, given their plight in the years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, takes quite some doing.
And Ronaldo, given his ultra-competitive mindset, isn’t one to simply smile and put on a facade.
In private, the Portugal international will be hurting. He didn’t come back to play in the Europa League but, after the club finished sixth, that’s the reality.
Ronaldo has, in every season since the 2009/2010 campaign, won a trophy.
He claimed 15 during his time in Spain, firing Madrid to four Champions League crowns during a nine-year spell.
And while his time at Juventus didn’t live up to expectations on the whole, he was still a hit at the Allianz Stadium nonetheless.
He won the Serie A title twice in as many years upon first moving to Turin back in the summer transfer window of 2019.
And though his final year in Italy failed to live up the billing, he was still able to clinch the Coppa Italia before pursuing a new challenge elsewhere.
Ronaldo, earlier in the season, admitted United’s plight was difficult to digest. In an interview with Sky Sports, he said: "I don't want to be here to be in sixth place, or seventh place, or fifth place.