Ronaldo risks ruining Man Utd legacy after phone-smashing shame

FT Desk

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
• 5 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo’s nightmare return to Manchester United just goes from bad to worse.

On Sunday, Merseyside Police released a statement confirming that it was investigating an incident at the end of Man Utd’s 1-0 defeat to Everton during which Ronaldo is alleged to have knocked a young boy’s phone out of his hand.

Latest news

The five best Premier League transfers of the season so far

Man Utd squad back Amorim on Rashford move

Five strikers Arsenal could try to sign in January

“As players were leaving the pitch at 2:30 p.m., it was reported that a boy was assaulted by one of the away team as they left the pitch,” a Merseyside Police statement read on Sunday.

Cristiano Ronaldo at Man Utd: Goals, assists, results & fixtures in 2021-22

“Inquiries are under way and officers are currently working with Everton Football Club to review CCTV (video) footage and are carrying out extensive witness enquiries to establish if an offense has taken place.”

A number of videos of the incident have been circulating on social media, including the one above, in which Ronaldo appears to slap a boy’s phone out of his hand and onto the floor as the Portuguese superstar makes his way through the playing tunnel at the end of the game.

Ronaldo immediately issued an apology on Saturday to the young fan, even inviting him to watch a match at Old Trafford.

“It’s never easy to deal with emotions in difficult moments such as the one we are facing,” Ronaldo said on Instagram.

“Nevertheless, we always have to be respectful, patient and set the example for all the youngsters who love the beautiful game.

“I would like to apologize for my outburst and, if possible, I would like to invite this supporter to watch a game at Old Trafford as a sign of fair-play and sportsmanship.”

Manchester United have said they are investigating the incident, while a number of national media outlets are running quotes allegedly from the boy’s mother in which she slams Ronaldo.

The episode has been one big PR disaster for Ronaldo. While he will, of course, have been emotional after a costly 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park, this can never excuse his actions towards a young child who seemingly did nothing more than film him as he walked past.

It remains to be seen how the police deal with this incident, but it seems probable that Ronaldo will at the very least be fined and suspended from the Premier League. A three-game ban at least is likely.

With just seven matches of the season remaining, Ronaldo risks seeing much of the remainder of the campaign written off.

Man Utd are six points outside the Champions League places and require a miracle to qualify for the competition next term.

This whole sorry episode just sums up what has been a disastrous season for Ronaldo since returning to Old Trafford last summer from Juventus.

After an excellent start to the season, Ronaldo has fallen off a cliff in the second half of the campaign. In 2022, he has scored in only two of the 14 games he has played in for United. He has one assist during that time, also.

Having turned 37 in February and no longer able to press or maintain any kind of intensity in matches, Ronaldo has become a tactical problem for a Man Utd team that is full of problems.

He has had reported run-ins with coach Ralf Rangnick and captain Harry Maguire, and it is widely believed that he will leave after just one season back at the club he achieved greatness at between 2003 and 2009.

It will be a huge shame if Ronaldo spoils his Man Utd legacy, but incidents like the ugly one we witnessed on Saturday risks doing that.