Erik ten Hag has said Cristiano Ronaldo lacked the fitness and commitment needed during their spell together at Manchester United, arguing that the Portuguese forward's ability to perform at the top level had faded after he left Juventus in 2021.
Speaking to ESPN NL's Goedemorgen Eredivisie on Sunday, the former United manager, now technical director at Dutch club FC Twente, described Ronaldo as one of the greatest players of all time. He insisted, however, that the forward was no longer able to meet the demands of elite football. "From Juventus onwards it's simply over," Ten Hag said.
Ronaldo was 36 when he returned to Old Trafford, scoring 27 goals in 54 matches under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and then Ten Hag. The pair's relationship deteriorated as the Dutchman frequently left him out of the starting line-up, and United ended Ronaldo's contract in November 2022 after he told Piers Morgan in an interview that he felt betrayed by the manager and criticised the club's leadership.
Ten Hag disputed the widely held view that Ronaldo is defined by his dedication to physical conditioning, saying that reputation was not entirely accurate. Rather than blaming age, he said Ronaldo was unwilling to push through pain and train at his maximum, which left him unable to cope with the intensity of the Premier League. He added that Ronaldo could still finish chances but struggled to get into scoring positions.
The coach said he had given Ronaldo special status and explained his role in advance, but that the forward arrived late for personal reasons, after the season had begun, and was never fit.
He also praised Lionel Messi's work for Argentina, stressing that no player is bigger than a club or country.
The remarks follow a 30-day suspension and a €255 fine handed to Ronaldo by the Portuguese Football Federation after he walked out on the national team during the October international break. Ronaldo has said he remains available for Portugal.
Ten Hag added that he holds no bitterness towards United, praising the club's staff and supporters.