Ronaldo offers himself to Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo has offered to play for Real Madrid in place of Karim Benzema, who is out with an injury.

The 37-year-old’s time at Manchester United seems to be over after the TV interview he gave to British journalist Piers Morgan. In the interview, he was very critical of the club and many people who work there, including manager Erik ten Hag.

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United are looking to terminate his employment with the club, and are seeking legal advice to have his contract cancelled for a fundamental breach after bringing the club into such disrepute.

Whatever happens, it is inconceivable that he will ever wear a United shirt in anger again.

United sold Ronaldo originally to Real for what was then a world record fee in 2009.

In his nine seasons with the La Liga side he became their all-time record goalscorer, finishing with 450 goals in 438 appearances. He won two league titles, two Spanish Cups, four Champions Leagues and three Club World Cups during his time in the Spanish capital, before he was sold to Juventus for £87 million.

Benzema’s World Cup dream was “ended” (it seems he can come back) on the eve of the tournament when he suffered a serious thigh injury in training. The 34-year-old was already carrying a hamstring injury, but will now miss the entire tournament after tearing a muscle in his left thigh. It is not known for how long he will be missing when the season resumes.

Real, on the other hand, is said to be uninterested in bringing the Portuguese team back to the Bernabeu.

At 37 years old they believe that his time has gone, and they would not want to pay him the sort of wages he would be expecting.

In reality, even the handful of clubs that might consider signing him will have second thoughts about doing so for fears of the impact that he might have on the dressing room. In giving the interview, Ronaldo effectively broke the code by which most professionals are expected to adhere, and there will be concerns that he could be a disruptive presence behind the scenes, especially when it comes to having a potentially malign influence on younger players.

In the summer, he reputedly turned down a deal worth more than £300 million to join an unnamed Saudi Arabian club, choosing to stay at United instead. Should such a type of offer be available again in January, he might seriously have to reconsider it again because his options may be very limited otherwise.

For the moment he can put such cares aside whilst he concentrates on the World Cup with Portugal for whom he remains a pivotal figure. The leading international goalscorer of all time, he will be looking to add to his tally by the time that he leaves Qatar.

As to what lies in prospect for him after the tournament is over, that is far from certain. However, with a return to United and Real both off the cards, if he wants to continue his playing career, he may have to cast his net a little wider.