⚽ A Difficult End at Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo’s career hit turbulence in late 2022 when his contract with Manchester United was terminated following his explosive interview and falling out with the club.
With Ronaldo suddenly without a team, his agent Jorge Mendes worked tirelessly to secure him a place at a top European club.
❌ Bayern Munich Said “No”
According to Bild, Mendes offered Ronaldo to Bayern Munich, highlighting his unmatched global reach and commercial pull.
-
🏟️ Then-Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn admitted that discussions did take place.
-
💰 However, Bayern chiefs were concerned about:
-
Potential dressing room unrest
-
Disruption to their wage structure
-
Ronaldo’s reluctance to take a pay cut
-
At the time, Robert Lewandowski was Bayern’s highest earner (€24M annually), while Ronaldo’s Manchester United wage had been close to €29M.
Kahn later explained:
"We came to the conclusion that, despite all the respect we all have, he wouldn't have fit our philosophy in the current situation."
🟡 Dortmund Also Declined
Like Bayern, Borussia Dortmund also considered the possibility of signing Ronaldo but ultimately passed.
-
Concerns included:
-
⚖️ Sporting risks due to his age and style of play
-
💸 High financial demands
-
⚡ Fear of disrupting the club’s philosophy and team balance
-
While Mendes reportedly told Bayern it would be a “dream” for Ronaldo to play at the Allianz Arena, both German giants decided the risk outweighed the reward.
🌟 Al-Nassr Became His Next Chapter
After facing rejection in Europe, Ronaldo signed with Al-Nassr on December 31, 2022, in a record-breaking deal worth $75M per year.
-
🥅 Impact on the League: Boosted global visibility of Saudi Pro League.
-
🥈 Team Performance: Al-Nassr finished second in his debut campaign.
-
🏆 Trophy Hunt: Despite being the league’s top scorer for two consecutive seasons, Ronaldo is yet to win a major trophy with the club.
📢 Fan Reactions: Mixed Opinions on the Rejections
The news of Bayern and Dortmund rejecting Ronaldo sparked massive debates online:
-
👏 Some praised the clubs:
“Smart move from Bayern. Ronaldo is a legend, but he doesn’t fit their pressing style.”
“Dortmund rely on youth and team chemistry. CR7 would have disrupted that.” -
😡 Others criticized the decision:
“Imagine the Bundesliga with Ronaldo. Bayern vs Dortmund with CR7 would have been blockbuster!”
“Bayern missed out on global marketing gold. Ronaldo would have made them unstoppable.” -
🤔 Neutral takes:
“Maybe both were right. Ronaldo is still elite, but at 38 then, he wasn’t long-term.”
“He chose money in Saudi Arabia, but Bayern/Dortmund could’ve given him Champions League football.”
🔥 This fan divide shows just how polarizing Cristiano Ronaldo still is, even at 40 years old.
