Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has addressed his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, downplaying their bond despite their shared history at Sporting CP and the Portugal national team.
While Ronaldo’s remarkable career continues to captivate the football world, the two men, who have both represented Portugal at international level, have not maintained an intense relationship. Amorim recently shared that he and the legendary forward were never particularly close, noting that their interactions were limited to brief conversations during their time together with the national team.
Ronaldo, who celebrated his 40th birthday on Wednesday, marked the milestone in style, scoring a brace for Al-Nassr in the AFC Champions League against Al Wasl. This achievement came 23 years after his first appearance with Sporting CP, underscoring his extraordinary longevity in football. However, despite the shared ties to Portuguese football, it appears that Ronaldo did not receive any birthday wishes from Amorim, who was appointed Manchester United’s head coach in November.
In a recent interview, Amorim explained that although he and Ronaldo interacted when they were both part of the national team setup, their connection was never particularly strong. He admitted that they only spoke during international duty, and even now, there has been no communication between them since Amorim took charge at Old Trafford. “We used to talk in the national team. I have never had a very close relationship with Cristiano; we only spoke when I went to the national team,” said Amorim, emphasizing the professional nature of their interactions.
Advertisement
Latest Press Conference
We’re on Social Media
While Amorim acknowledges Ronaldo’s immense status in football, he is careful to keep their relationship at a respectful distance. He praised Ronaldo as a “legend” and an “example” for both Portugal and Manchester United, but he refrained from seeking advice from the forward, even though Ronaldo’s expertise in English football would undoubtedly be valuable. Amorim’s decision not to reach out to Ronaldo seems to reflect his preference for handling matters within his own coaching circle rather than seeking the guidance of former players.
The timing of Amorim’s comments is noteworthy, coming as he faces mounting pressure after a difficult start to his tenure at Manchester United. In his first 19 games in charge, Amorim has overseen three draws and eight defeats, leading to concerns over his ability to turn the team’s fortunes around. His reluctance to reach out to Ronaldo could also be influenced by the latter’s contentious departure from United in 2022, when Ronaldo was sidelined by then-manager Erik ten Hag before his explosive interview criticizing the club’s ownership and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, on the occasion of Ronaldo’s 40th birthday, Real Madrid, one of his former clubs, paid tribute to their iconic player. The club sent heartfelt birthday wishes to the Portuguese star, acknowledging his legendary status at the Santiago Bernabeu. “Every Madridista is proud of the legend that you are,” the club tweeted, celebrating Ronaldo’s lasting impact on their history. As Ronaldo continues to enjoy success at Al-Nassr, Amorim’s comments further highlight the different paths their careers have taken, with Ronaldo’s star continuing to shine brightly in the football world, while Amorim faces the challenges of revitalizing Manchester United.
jkth4z