"I don't know how someone could...': Al-Nassr coach takes aim at Erik Ten Hag over Ronaldo treatment

Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the greatest player ever to play for Manchester United. Despite an attempt to save the sinking club in 2021, the Portuguese legend did not have a farewell to remember last year. Cristiano Ronaldo was vocal about the poor management of Manchester United in an interview with Piers Morgan, and due to that, his contract was mutually terminated with his boyhood club in November 2022. Erik ten Hag made big promises to the fans after Ronaldo left the club but has failed to deliver them and recently got knocked out of the UEFA Champions League. 

3 things you need to know 

• Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the top goalscorers in 2023 
• Ronaldo left United to join Al-Nassr in January 2023 
• Ronaldo is having one of the best time of his life with Al-Nassr 

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Luis Castro made a huge statement about Ronaldo’s treatment by Erik ten Hag

Manager Luis Castro of Al-Nassr has slammed Erik ten Hag of Manchester United for the rift with Cristiano Ronaldo that resulted in the player's exit.

In 2021, the 38-year-old Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford for a second spell. He had a fantastic debut season, leading the squad in scoring with 24 goals and seven assists in 34 appearances in a variety of tournaments.

But when Ten Hag took over in the summer of 2022, Ronaldo's playing time was significantly cut short. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner started ten of the 16 games he played in across all competitions, scored three goals, and provided two assists.

In a now-famous conversation with British broadcaster Piers Morgan, Ronaldo openly criticised Ten Hag, expressing his displeasure with what he saw as a lack of respect from the coach. Disappointed by the public altercation, Ronaldo and the club management decided to end their working relationship in November.

Ronaldo is doing well with Luis Castro's Al-Nassr team a year later. Before their Saudi Pro League match on Friday, December 22, at Al Ettifaq, Castro made a statement on Ronaldo's departure from Manchester United.  According to Essentially Sports via GOATWORLD, Luis Castro said: 

“I don’t know how someone could look at a player who greatly influences people and young people like that", 

“I'm used to being criticised and destroyed (if I talk like that).”

“It challenges me to talk to Ronaldo and to put myself in his position, and that is difficult for me. I don’t live with him, and I don’t know what each of us thinks about his life and future. He’s still scoring goals and providing assists, so he had to take other paths.”

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Cristiano Ronaldo proved his haters wrong

Even as he gets closer to 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo, who is regarded as one of the best players in sports history, never ceases to amaze with his skill on the pitch. He is currently having a great campaign with Al-Nassr and has proved all of his doubters from last season wrong.

The Portugal captain has made 22 appearances in all competitions, scoring 20 goals and dishing out 10 assists. This includes a dominant showing in the league, where he leads after 15 games with 16 goals and 8 assists. Ronaldo's efforts have been crucial in helping his club move up to the second spot in the rankings. They are still 13 points behind the leaders Al-Hilal, although they have played two less games than them.

Ronaldo has a stellar record for the Saudi Pro League's biggest clubs, having joined as a free agent in January of last year and amassed 34 goals and 12 assists in 41 appearances across all tournaments.