Cristiano Ronaldo has made an official request to leave Manchester United this summer so he can continue playing Champions League football next season, sources have confirmed to ESPN.
The Times reported.
The Portugal captain returned to United for the second time at Old Trafford a year ago, scoring 18 goals in 30 league games but the team finished sixth in the Premier League and could not qualify for next season’s Elite European Club Championship.
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Ronaldo, 37, has a contract with the Red Devils until June 2023, with the option to extend it for another year, but has now sought a replacement.
Sources told ESPN that United have informed Ronaldo that he is not available for transfer this summer and that he is expected to remain for the rest of his contract.
ESPN understands that Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Napoli, among other clubs, are interested in including Ronaldo in their squad.
Despite the respect and love for United and his fans, the former Real Madrid star feels he needs the motivation to play in the Champions League at the end of his career. Ronaldo is expected to play in the Champions League and compete for the big trophy.
United have appointed Ajax head coach Eric Ten Hague to replace interim coach Ralph Rangnik, and at his unveiling last month he said Ronaldo was part of his plans for the upcoming season.
Ronaldo first joined United in 2003 from the Portuguese team Sporting CP.
He scored 118 goals in 292 games before moving to Real Madrid in 2009, where he remained until joining Juventus in 2018.
Ronaldo did not win the Champions League with Juventus in his three seasons with the Turin veterans, but won the trophy four times in 2008 with United and Madrid. He was the highest-scoring player in Serie A in the last two seasons in Turin, scoring 101 goals in 134 games.
The former Real Madrid star has won 32 titles in his career, including seven league matches and five Champions League titles.
He led Portugal to Euro 2016 and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.
A five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Ronaldo holds the men’s world record for most goals (117) in international matches.
He will lead Portugal to the World Cup later this year.
The report uses information from ESPN FC representative Rob Dawson.