Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a message to the management of his former club, Manchester Utd’s management, to effect a thorough structural change following their dip in form in recent years.

Under Erik ten Hag, the team ended the 2023 season in eighth place on the Premier League table, missing out on all European competitions after failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. They missed out again the following year under Rúben Amorim, finishing 15th on the table.

Their position sparked concerns among fans and pundits of a possible relegation.

Reacting to the ‘bad state’ of Man Utd, but for the brief resurgence in their last three matches, Ronaldo has suggested a complete change, particularly in the club structure, as soon as possible before they get worse, lauding the club as “one of the most important clubs of the century”.

He said, “So, Manchester United right now, they don’t have a structure. I hope that changes in the future the present future, because the potential of the club is amazing” while comparing the club’s status and form during the stint of “Nicky, Garys, Roy Keanes, Beckhams”.

For a club like Man Utd, that were a champion a few years ago, their current state breaks his heart, Ronaldo continued.

“For me, it’s… I’m sad because of the club, one of the most important clubs in the world, and a club that I still have in my heart because of obvious reasons. You have to follow with intelligent people, smart people, to create a base for the future, as Manchester United did so many years ago. Nicky, Gary, Roy Keane, Beckhams, they became big players, but they had youth.

“So, Manchester United right now doesn’t have a structure. I hope that changes in the future, the present future, because the potential of the club is amazing”, he added.

Cristiano continued that the club’s current form is not entirely the coach’s fault, highlighting the need for a general structural change, as Amorim would not be able to do miracles at United as some expect him to.

He said the Man Utd he knows is currently not on a good path, and that saddens him.

“Miracles? Miracles are impossible. We say in Portugal, miracles are only in Fátima. For me, I'm sad because of the club, one of the most important clubs in the world and a club that I still have in my heart because of obvious reasons.

He continued, “We all have to be honest and look at ourselves and say, Listen, they are not on a good path. So they need to change".

The club is currently like this because some of the Man Utd players have not improved in their mindset, some of the players, in Ronaldo's opinion, are yet to see the value and worth of the club, though he applauded some good players in the team.

Ronaldo's last interview with Piers Morgan followed a massive fall out with Man Ut, three years ago.

The interview was widely reported as an explosive one. Aired in two parts on November 16 and 17. During the interview, he slammed the coach at the time, Ten Hag. He noted he doesn't respect him because the coach doesn't respect him, too, adding that, following Sir Fergusson's departure, everything at Man Utd had come to a standstill. He also

“I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me.” Ronaldo accused Ten Hag of trying to force him out and criticised how he was treated, especially after refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham. “Nothing has changed since Sir Alex left. The pool, the jacuzzi, even the gym… they stopped in time.”

Speaking on the club's younger teammates attitude, Ronaldo lamented that,

“They don’t listen. They don’t care. They have everything too easy," expressing his disappointment in some players and other members of the club, including the coach, who wanted to see him exit the club.

“Yes, not only the coach but two or three guys around the club. I felt betrayed,” he added.

About five days after the interview aired, Man Utd terminated the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's contract by mutual consent in November 2022.

After leaving Manchester United in November 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr, a Saudi Arabian club, in December 2022. He signed a contract reportedly worth over $200 million per year, including commercial agreements, making it one of the most lucrative deals in football history.

His contract with Al-Nassr added greatly to his already solid financials. According to Forbes' ranking released in May 2025, CR7 emerged as the highest-paid athlete for the third consecutive year.

According to the ranking, NBA star Stephen Curry has taken Lionel Messi's position as the second-highest paid, falling four places behind his rival.

Curry, the Golden State Warriors guard who became the first NBA player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers in March, recorded $156 million (approximately £117 million) in income.

Forbes says Ronaldo has been on the list five times in his career and has since increased his estimated total earnings by $15 million, reaching $275 million (about £206 million).Cristiano Ronaldo's earnings have increased following his juicy contract with Al-Nassr and partnerships with Nike, Binance, and Clear, as well as his brand and huge social media following.

The only sportsman that has surpassed the Al-Nassr star is former world champion boxer Floyd Mayweather, who earned $300 million in 2015 (then £194 million) and $275 million in 2018 (then £205 million).

Tyson Fury moved to third place on Forbes' highest-paid athletes list, replacing Dak Prescott, the American football quarterback. Prescott, who was previously ranked third, has now dropped to fourth place, earning $137 million in 2025.

Fury was the beneficiary of a Netflix reality television show and a partnership with Maltese tourism.