The Portuguese superstar ended his relationship with the Red Devils in acrimonious circumstances after a scandalous attack on the club
Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi admits that Cristiano Ronaldo is one of football's greatest-ever players, but the ex-Chelsea midfielder insists he is no fan of the Portuguese superstar.
Ronaldo has been in a fierce head-to-head match-up, over the past 15 years, with Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi on who is the best player of this generation.
But Mikel Obi maintains that Ronaldo's over-bloated ego places him on a lower pedestal than the Argentine wizard.
“I've never been a Ronaldo fan really,” Mikel Obi said in an interview with Dubai Eye.
“For me, when a player has so much ego, I don't really get it. He's never been one of my favourite players and that's why I always go for Messi really.”
Ronaldo opened a can of worms recently when he attacked Manchester United, the coach, and some players in an explosive interview with popular journalist Piers Morgan.
As a result, Manchester United, on Tuesday night, November 22, 2022, announced the termination of the 37-year-old's contract by mutual consent.
It is horrible – Mikel Obi
Mikel Obi blames Ronaldo for going all out in public against his employers, tagging it ‘a horrible scenario'.
“I mean, if someone comes out and gives such an interview, what makes you think, if he signs for your club in January, he won't do the same?
“So, I mean, every club is going to be aware of that….but listen, he is Cristiano Ronaldo; he's one of the greatest players ever to have played the game. I think he's going to get another club in January and continue his football career.
“But for me, it's just a horrible scenario, he's done so much for the club, and to see it end this way, it's just horrible. On his part really, I would say that interview shouldn't have been done, wrong timing as well.”
“It's just not right. It doesn't look right for such a player that has achieved so much in the game.”
Asked if the bombshell interview would have tarnished Ronaldo's legacy at Old Trafford, Mikel Obi said, “I think a little bit, yeah.
“Even his fans as well right now, they don't agree with the interview. It's very hard to defend him.”
Ronaldo, who scored 145 goals in 346 appearances across two spells for Manchester United, will look to put the awkward situation behind him by starring at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The 37-year-old striker is expected to be in action for Portugal when the Selecao trade tackles with Ghana on Thursday, November 23, in their opening Group H match.
