The eleventh world began Excluded: Jonathan Klaus’ “Little Brother” Interview!
Is 2022 the worst year of Cristiano Ronaldo’s phenomenal career? The question deserves to be asked because the CR7 suffered major disappointments and was at the center of controversy over the course of the second half of the year (August to December). However, the first part of the Portuguese year went more or less well.
Convincing the first months before going down to hell
Cristiano Ronaldo’s start to 2022 with Manchester United is off to a good start. The only problem is that the Red Devils don’t play well and show tremendous tension in defence. The Mancunian club is soon left behind and out of the race to qualify for the Champions League at the end of the season. Ralf Rangnick, the interim coach of Manchester United, did not manage to make his team play well, which had a series of ups and downs. Despite this, Cr7 continues to score. On March 12, he scored an amazing hat-trick against Tottenham, which allowed the Portuguese to become the best scorer in football history, beating Pekan (805 goals in all competitions). On April 16, the five-time Ballon d’Or scored the 50th hat-trick in his career, at the same time becoming the first player in history to reach this bar. Cristiano Ronaldo finishes the Premier League season third in the scoring charts (18 goals in 30 matches), behind Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-min (23 goals for both men). Manchester United finished sixth in the English Championship, 13 points behind Tottenham, and fourth and last qualified for the Champions League. This is when Cristiano Ronaldo’s career will completely change.
The Portuguese wants to compete in the Champions League and therefore asks to leave the club. After giving up on resuming training with the Red Devils in early July, the Portuguese claims he is not here due to family issues. He will return to Manchester on July 26th. In the event that an agreement is not reached with a club competing in the Champions League (Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Sporting were the most exciting tracks), CR7 is forced to stay with the Red Devils. New coach Erik Ten Hag did not present a gift to the Portuguese after the various setbacks he suffered. Almost five times the Ballon d’Or has not started a game (only 5 in 16 Premier League games), and the situation is becoming increasingly stressful between Cristiano Ronaldo and the Mancunian captains. At the beginning of November, the former Juventus player gave an interview to Piers Morgan, where he explained that he felt betrayed by Manchester United. A shocking interview that will have a bombshell effect. On November 22, the Red Devils announced the termination of CR7’s contract. A sad end in Manchester for a club legend.
Frustrating last World Cup for CR7!
Portugal’s top scorer is about to play his fifth and final World Cup at the age of 37. The World Cup started in the best possible way for Cristiano Ronaldo who scored from the penalty spot in his first pool match against Ghana (3-2 win). He also became the first player in history to score at least one goal in five different World Cup tournaments. New holders against Uruguay and South Korea, CR7 will not score, but Portugal qualify without problems for the knockout stages.
But against all odds, Fernando Santos decided to leave the Portuguese star on the bench against Switzerland. The Seleçao divides the Natty (6-1). Standing Gonzalo Ramos in place of Cristiano Ronaldo scored an impressive hat-trick. So it makes sense that the five-a-side Ballon d’Or would once again find itself on the bench during the quarter-final against Morocco. CR7 plays in the 50th minute, but can’t prevent his team’s defeat. Thus, Portugal is defeated by the Atlas Lions (1-0), and the Real Madrid legend returns to the dressing room in tears. Undoubtedly one of the powerful images of this World Cup. Nor has the centre-forward been said to replay selection. This defeat seems like the final applause for Cristiano Ronaldo.
2023, CR7’s first professional year outside of Europe!
On December 30, Al-Nassr officially announced the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo for two seasons. The Portuguese signs the biggest contract in the history of football as he will receive nearly 200 million euros per season (including commercial agreements). He also simultaneously becomes the highest paid sportsman in the world. CR7 is scheduled to play its first match with the Saudi club soon (probably on January 5th against Al-Tai). Now trained by Rudi Garcia, the five-time Ballon d’Or could cross paths with Leo Messi, his eternal rival. In fact, a friendly match between Al-Nassr and Paris Saint-Germain should take place on January 19th. After his two seasons in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo will be almost 40 years old, and it’s hard to imagine him returning to Europe for one last challenge. However, nothing is impossible with the Portuguese legend…
To summarize
Is 2022 the worst year of Cristiano Ronaldo’s phenomenal career? The question has merit in being asked because CR7 suffered massive disappointments and was at the center of controversy throughout the second half of the year. Relive the eventful year for the Portuguese star with his aborted move from Manchester United in particular, his termination of his contract with the Red Devils, and the failure in the World Cup quarter-finals. In front of Morocco, and his signature with the Saudi club Al-Nasr.
