Cristiano Ronaldo needs to find a new club team. (Leonel de Castro/Global Images/Sipa USA via USA TODAY Sports)
Now, this isn’t the way to prepare for a World Cup match.
On Tuesday, Portuguese national team star Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t have a club team, Manchester United.
The English Premier League side issued a statement announcing it had reached a mutual agreement with Ronaldo to terminate his contract.
That came a week after Ronaldo unsettled the club in a controversial TV interview.
Ronaldo, 37, and Portugal are prepping to play Ghana in a Group H match in the 2002 World Cup in Qatar. The Portuguese also will face Uruguay on Monday, Nov. 28 and South Korea on Friday, Dec. 2.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect,” United said in a statement.
“The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future.
“Everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team’s progress under Erik Ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch.”
After rejoining the club in a second tenure last year, Ronaldo fell out favor with new manager Erik Ten Hag.
“Following conversations with Manchester United we have mutually agreed to end our contract early,” Ronaldo said in a statement. “I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never ever change. However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new challenge.
“I wish the team every success for the remainder of the season and for the future.”
Ronaldo is free to negotiate with other teams.
But first, he needs to focus on the World Cup.