Alan Shearer believes Cristiano Ronaldo has 'got his wish' after the now-former Manchester United striker's immediate exit from the club was confirmed on Tuesday evening.
United announced in a straight-to-the-point 67 word club statement that the legendary number seven would not return to Old Trafford after the ongoing World Cup in Qatar.
The club confirmed both parties had mutually agreed to terminate the remainder of his contract that was set to expire in the summer following Ronaldo's disastrous television interview that saw him slam Erik ten Hag, his United teammates, the club's infrastructure, and the owning Glazer family.
The Premier League all-time top goalscorer, Shearer, admitted it was 'inevitable' that the superstar- who recently became the first person in the world to reach 500million Instagram followers - would love the club and declared his interest as to whether a Champions League club would try to land the now free agent.
Speaking in the wake of Ronaldo's exit, he said: 'No not shocked (he has left), in the end he got his wish.
'That's why he did the interview, it was inevitable after that, will be interesting to see if a Champions League club comes in for him,' Shearer told the BBC.
Ronaldo leaves Manchester United having endured two completely opposite career spells at the club. He lifted the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, and a first out of five individual Ballon d'Or awards.
Fast-forward to present day and the 37-year-old departs amidst a storm of controversy after his solo season return saw United endure their worst-ever Premier League season.
New manager Ten Hag's summer takeover worsened an already sour relationship between club and player with the player having his contract cut short.
Man United supporters issued mixed reactions in the wave of social media activity that followed the announcement.
Some fans stated their 'respect to United' while others slammed
the actions of the 13-time Premier League champions insisting Ronaldo is 'bigger' than the club.
Ronaldo will get his World Cup campaign with Portugal underway against Ghana on Thursday.
JoyNg
63
I'm so glad Ronaldo is finally leaving this ungrateful club. He deserved better. Who wants to stay at a club with no mentality of winning, only hungry for money. 0 morals, ethics and values. I definitely lost respect for this club. Moral of the story; Don't let anyone get comfortable disrespecting you. The best way to end it is by not giving them a chance to do it again. Self respect is everything! Ronaldo knew exactly what he was doing. And he leaves like a Legend. The world knows the truth. The only people mad at him for speaking the truth are those living a lie. Cristiano Ronaldo is and will always be bigger than any club. He is a breathing brand that is made from hard work, dedication and so much passion! He inspires MILLIONS to be everything they want to be. CR7 a legend, a legacy will be remembered forever! Time to move on to better things. We will always support him until the end💪🐐💕
wamdmnuy
14
While I don’t agree with Ronaldo’s interview with Piers Morgan, I extremely disappointed with the United Hierarchy’s response! Ten Hag has to take some responsibility too for the disrespect he showed one of the greatest footballers of all time! People, and especially, mediocre & envious player pundits fail to understand that you can’t compare players like Ronaldo and Lionel Messi with every other player, no matter how good! Ronaldo, like Messi are extraordinary players and it was a pleasure to watch them over the years show their exceptional skills and bring us so much joy!!! They, like Maradona, Pele, Zidane and others are of a special class of players! How can you ask such players to play in the 87th Minute of a game??? Man U players are disgusting in their disrespect of Ronaldo! Bruno is envious of a Ronaldo because he knows he will never reach the heights of the game like Ronaldo! Show some respect Man U!!!! CR7 is a legend in my book and will always remain a legend!!! Don’t show him disrespect now that he is getting up their in age!!! Paul Scholes you can never be in the same class as Ronaldo or Messi and you have never achieved what they have! Show some respect!!! Long Live Ronaldo, a legend of football, not just Man U!!! 👍🏾👏⚽️🇺🇸👍🏾👏