Ronaldo and Gary Neville’s relationship is OVER
FT Desk
- 1 Nov 2022 08:12 GMT
- 4 min read
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand doesn’t believe that Cristiano Ronaldo will look to repair his relationship with Gary Neville, following the pair’s very public falling-out.
Ronaldo intentionally ignored Neville on Sunday before Man Utd’s 1-0 win over West Ham.
Neville was working as a pundit in a live broadcast at Old Trafford.
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Neville was pitch-side previewing the game along with former Man Utd striker Louis Saha and ex-Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp.
Ronaldo entered the pitch for a pre-match warm-up. He ran over to the touchline where the three pundits were broadcasting.
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Cristiano embraced and greeted first Saha and then Redknapp, before deliberately snubbing Neville.
Ronaldo’s decision to ignore Neville was due to the ex-England defender commenting the week before that Cristiano’s time at Man Utd was over and that he should be let go during the January transfer window.
And Ferdinand – who played with both players at Man Utd – believes that the pair’s relationship won’t be mended.
What did Ferdinand say?
“I don't think Cristiano is taking that call (if Neville calls him),” Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel.
“Knowing Cristiano it's gone isn't it. You've said what you said and believe what you believe.
“I think what I would have done differently if I was recreating that scenario, I would maybe have gone and shook a couple of hands and said: 'you talk too much, cya later' and then gone. Just a little jab in there.
Gary Neville getting aired by Cristiano Ronaldo... 😳🤣 pic.twitter.com/UpKAmNjw1v
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 30, 2022
“They would have (crossed paths), (Neville) would have gone to the gantry straightaway. You're not going to go and search out someone when you're preparing for a game.
“I see why people are saying he didn't need to do that but from a players perspective, no player is happy when a pundit is criticising them.
“They were team-mates but they aren't people that would share texts or stuff like that. And Cristiano respects Gary as well. He respected him as one of the senior players at the club 100%. He would use that as fuel.”
Neville had criticised Ronaldo’s actions during the final minutes of Man Utd’s win over Tottenham a fortnight ago.
Cristiano refused to come on as a substitute when summoned by manager Erik ten Hag before then walking down the tunnel before the match had even ended.
This resulted in him being banished from the squad for the 1-1 draw with Chelsea. He was reinstalled to the squad and team for the 3-0 Europa League win over Sheriff, scoring the third goal, and played the full match against West Ham on Sunday.
What did Neville say?
"There aren't many Manchester United fans who would now have Ronaldo in their starting eleven," Neville stated in the comments that angered Ronaldo.
"They are better without him - they score more goals without him and they win more points without him. Manchester United are a better team without him."
