Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United “with immediate effect,” the Premier League club said Tuesday.
The move comes just days after Ronaldo criticized manager Erik ten Hag and the club’s owners in an interview.
It is not clear where Ronaldo, 37, will go next after he was unable to secure a move to a Champions League club in the summer.
“Following conversations with Manchester United we have mutually agreed to end our contract early,” Ronaldo said in a tweet Tuesday. “I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never ever change. However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new challenge.
“I wish the team every success for the remainder of the season and for the future.”
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) November 22, 2022
Ronaldo, who is currently in Qatar with Portugal for the FIFA World Cup, has been left upset after being reduced to a fringe member of United’s team this season.
The Portugal captain said he felt “betrayed” during the 90-minute interview with Piers Morgan, which aired Thursday.
United said last week that it was taking action following Ronaldo’s comments, with the cancellation of his contract widely anticipated.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect,” it said on Tuesday.
“The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future.”
