Former Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal spoke up in favour of Cristiano Ronaldo as he criticised Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag for the way he treated the Portuguese during his time at the club.
Ten Hag benched Ronaldo since the day he took charge of the Manchester club. There were multiple reports of the two not getting along, which were proven true when the 38-year-old lashed out at the club’s owners as well as the manager in an explosive interview with Piers Morgan before the FIFA World Cup.
Vidal, who also played for the Italian club Juventus, called Ten Hag “complicated” as he believes that the Dutch played a role in Ronaldo’s departure from Man United.
"That coach [Ten Hag] came in badly. How are you going to take out Cristiano Ronaldo? That's how these guys are. He was the top scorer and he takes him out. These bald guys are very complicated,” Vidal said in a Twitch stream.
Ronaldo made a sensational return to Old Trafford in 2021. That transfer took the football world by storm. He was also the top-scorer with 24 goals in 39 games for the Red Devils during the 2021-22 season.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also scored six goals in seven UEFA Champions League matches and guided them to the Round of 16 stages.
However, after Ten Hag arrived, Ronaldo couldn’t attend United’s pre-season as he was going through some “personal” problems.
After he returned to the team, the 38-year-old was benched.
Ronaldo’s interview with Morgan aired in November 2022 after which, he and the club decided to terminate the contract mutually in December 2022.
After this, the Real Madrid legend joined the Saudi Pro League club, Al-Nassr, and opened the gate to the Middle East for many top footballers who followed in his footsteps and made their way to the Gulf Country.
Ronaldo has, since then, been bossing the Saudi league. He currently leads the goals and assists chart with nine goals and four assists to his name.
