Piers Morgan reveals Cristiano Ronaldo's text message, sent moments after contract termination

Broadcaster Piers Morgan has revealed Cristiano Ronaldo told him he felt as 'free as a bird' after having his Manchester United contract torn up, costing him £16m in future earnings.

Ronaldo's interview with Morgan on the eve of the World Cup seemingly torched any lasting relationship he might have enjoyed with United supporters - as he took aim at various areas of the club, including the current manager, Erik ten Hag.

Being his chief confidant in the media, Morgan revealed in an interview with The Telegraph that he had messaged Ronaldo a 'GiF' of William Wallace shouting 'Freedom' in the film Braveheart to the which the Portuguese offered a simple reply.

'I texted Cristiano a GIF of William Wallace in Braveheart shouting, “Freedom!"' Morgan said.

'He thought that was a perfect summation of how he felt. "Free as a bird" was his response.'

Morgan also revealed that Ronaldo, who had rumoured to be close to joining Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr on an eye-watering £173m per year deal, was hoping to play his way to a Champions League club at the World Cup.

He thinks that if he does well at this World Cup, he’ll get what he really wants,' he said. '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,' he added.

'And he has done that in more countries than any other player in history.'

Ronaldo shocked the footballing world, when just hours after United had ended the first part of their campaign under Ten Hag with a dramatic win over Fulham, it was revealed he would be taking part in a tell-all interview with Morgan.

Taking aim at figures connected to the club, both past and present, Ronaldo certainly shortened his Christmas card list with those with connections to the club he first joined in 2003.

'I don't have respect for him because he doesn't show respect for me,' Ronaldo told Morgan of Ten Hag, who had used him sparingly during his first few months in charge.

'Some people, they don't want me here - not only the coach but the other two or three guys. Not only this year, but last year too.

'Honestly, I shouldn't say that. But listen, I don't care. People should listen to the truth. Yes, I feel betrayed,' he added.

Speaking, he claimed, to the 'fans', Ronaldo said he had seen little advancement at the club since he left in 2009 - pointing to the fact that Manchester City, Liverpool and even Arsenal had since surpassed them in recent years.

He 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.'

He also took aim at former team-mates Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville - considered among the more vocal critics of the Portuguese in his final few weeks - accusing them of using his high profile to boost their own.

'To listen as ex-colleagues or team-mates criticise you, when they only see one point of view. It's easy,' he said.

It's easy to criticise, I don't know if you have a job in television that they must criticise to be more famous. I really don't understand it.

'It's hard when you see people who was in the dressing room with you criticising that way.'

'I think they take advantage of that because they are not stupid,' Ronaldo added. 'I'm the No 1 followed guy in the world. It's not by coincidence.'