Heat of the moment,’ Cristiano Ronaldo breaks his silence after being axed from Man U squad
Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has responded to his exclusion from the club’s next Premier League match against Chelsea by stating that he is the “same person and the same professional” as before, but that “sometimes the heat of the moment gets the best of us.”
The striker’s reaction came after he was dropped from Manchester United’s squad on Saturday by manager Erik ten Hag for storming off the pitch before the final whistle during the game against Tottenham Hotspur.
In a post on Instagram, Ronaldo wrote: “As I’ve always done throughout my career, I try to live and play respectfully towards my colleagues, my adversaries and my coaches. That hasn’t changed. I haven’t changed. I’m the same person and the same professional that I’ve been for the last 20 years playing elite football, and respect has always played a very important role in my decision making process.”
“I started very young, the older and most experienced players examples were always very important to me. Therefore, later on, I’ve always tried to set the example myself for the youngsters that grew in all the teams that I’ve represented. Unfortunately that’s not always possible and sometimes the heat of the moment get’s the best of us,” Ronaldo added.
“Right now, I just feel that I have to keep working hard in Carrington, support my teammates and be ready for everything in any given game. Giving in to the pressure is not an option. It never was. This is Manchester United, and united we must stand. Soon we’ll be together again,” Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo, who started United’s previous home game against Newcastle United, was benched by manager Erik ten Hag for the game against Tottenham.
The 37-year-old stormed down the tunnel in disappointment after Ten Hag left him on the bench with only minutes until the final whistle.
Cristiano Ronaldo walking off at Old Trafford last night BEFORE the game had finished.
— Evolution Football Tips (@TipsEvolution) October 20, 2022
One of the greatest ever but you win and lose TOGETHER.
United look a stronger and more cohesive team without him.
A true legend but his time at OT should end soon.pic.twitter.com/IinJdUM53D
Ronaldo also refused to come on as a substitute in the 87th minute, when Ten Hag introduced Christian Eriksen and Anthony Elanga.
According to ESPN, he left the stadium and was not in the locker room when Ten Hag and the players returned.
Ten Hag stated following the game that he will address the Ronaldo situation on Thursday. “I don’t pay attention today, we will deal with that tomorrow,” he said. “I want to focus on this team, on these 11 players,” he added.
However, a club statement issued on Thursday read: “Cristiano will not be part of the Manchester United squad for this Saturday’s game against Chelsea. The rest of the squad is fully focused on preparing for that fixture.”
The decision to axe him was supported by the club’s hierarchy, and while Ronaldo will not train with the first team, Ten Hag has asked him to report to the training ground.
Heat of the moment,’ Cristiano Ronaldo breaks his silence after being axed from Man U squad
