Ferdinand: Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy not damaged by early exit

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes the controversial nature of Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit will not detract from his legacy at the club.

It may feel raw at the moment but I do think — over time — Cristiano Ronaldo will be remember as a great Manchester United player. Right now, he leaves under a grey cloud like many men before him, and this comes at a time the team isn’t successful on the pitch to make it worse.

United issued a statement announced they had reached a mutual agreement with the 37-year-old to terminate his contract following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan. Ronaldo used that interview to attack the club and to say he doesn’t respect the manager.

Although Ferdinand believes Ronaldo got what he wanted out of the interview, he says the five time Ballon d’Or winner still deserves to be remembered fondly by the fans.

“I don’t think this affects or detracts from Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy at the football club – what he’s achieved, his legendary status, I believe doesn’t change,” Ferdinand told his YouTube channel.

“The measure of what he was when he was in the red shirt, playing football, and the amount of successful moments and trophies that he brought to the club when he was here, becoming the best player in the world when he was at Manchester United – these things you cannot erase from history.”

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