PIERS MORGAN has revealed he and Cristiano Ronaldo exchanged text messages minutes after the 37-year-old’s Manchester United exit was confirmed.
The pair put together one of football’s most explosive interviews of modern times as Ronaldo lashed out at his club hours after they finished the first half of their season with a win at Fulham.
His incredible attack left his position untenable and he and the club mutually decided to rip up his contract.
In an interview with the Telegraph, Morgan revealed how he used a famous movie scene GIF to communicate with the star over the news.
He said: “I texted Cristiano a GIF of William Wallace in Braveheart shouting: ‘Freedom!’
“He thought that was a perfect summation of how he felt. “Free as a bird” was his response.”
The Talk TV host also revealed what Ronaldo really wants next in his career amid mounting speculation of a big money move to Saudi Arabia.
Morgan added: “He thinks that if he does well at this World Cup, he’ll get what he really wants.
“Which is a club in the Champions League that extends his record and his legacy.
“It’s not about money at this stage of his career. It comes down to a burning desire to play football at the highest level, to break records and win trophies.
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“And he has done that in more countries than any other player in history.”
All eye will fall on Ronaldo after the World Cup as he weighs up the next move in his extraordinary career.
The 2021 return to United looked to be the perfect solution for both parties at the time, with the Portuguese legend bringing his goals and status to a Man United side in need of a lift.
But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was axed only months later and his interim replacement Ralf Rangnick could only guide the club to a disappointing 6th.
As he revealed in his tell-all chat with Morgan, Ronaldo was extremely critical of the appointment of Rangnick and claimed he did not have respect for his current manager Erik ten Hag.
He also hit out at Man United’s inability to adapt and getting leapfrogged by their rivals.
Ronaldo said: “Since Sir Alex Ferguson left I saw no evolution in the club, the progress was zero.
“Nothing changed. Not only the pool, the jacuzzi, even the gym. They stopped in time, which surprised me a lot.
“I think the fans should know the truth. I want the best for the club. But you have some things inside [the club] that don’t help reach the top level as City, Liverpool and even now Arsenal.”
