Patrice Evra, Cristiano Ronaldo’s former Manchester United teammate, has said he would not be surprised if the Portuguese superstar decided to retire.
Cristiano Ronaldo is currently a free agent after Manchester United terminated his contract by mutual consent in November this year. That came after his explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which he criticized Manchester United and manager Erik ten Hag, among many others.
Cristiano Ronaldo also endured a disappointing 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign. Portugal’s Qatar 2022 World Cup campaign ended at the quarter-final stage, where Morocco stunned them by inflicting a 1-0 defeat. Ronaldo appeared in all five games Portugal played in Qatar 2022, but only started three of them. He only managed to score one goal for Portugal in the last edition of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Ronaldo had started for Portugal in each of their three Group H matches at Qatar 2022. But coach Fernando Santos left Ronaldo on the bench in their round of 16 win over Switzerland and quarterfinal loss to Morocco. However, the 37-year-old came off the bench in those two games.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he decides to retire”, Patrice Evra on Cristiano Ronaldo
After his separation from Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo finds himself without a club. However, he has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, who have reportedly made a mammoth contract offer to the Portuguese superstar.
Cristiano Ronaldo has received criticism from many quarters in recent months. And Patrice Evra believes that Ronaldo could decide to retire due to the constant criticism that he has been receiving.
“When I talk to him I’m not talking about what he’s going to do next, we’re talking more about life and family. I dont know. I don’t know if Ronaldo will retire,” Patrice Evra told Sky Sports.
Patrice Evra added: “Sometimes when you have all that criticism, and especially at the end of your career, you say ‘okay, I think it’s time to stop.’ Especially when you’re not in the starting eleven with your team, because Cristiano wanted to play and be fit.
“Winning the World Cup with his country was his dream. Now he doesn’t have that dream. I won’t speak for Cristiano, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he says ‘I’ll retire’, because now everything Cristiano Ronado does is a bad person, he’s a bad player of whatever. I wouldn’t be surprised if he decides to retire.”
