Cristiano Ronaldo recently said he dreams of owning a big club someday and is confident he could fix Manchester United. At 40, he wants to pursue ownership while still playing, not coaching or becoming president. This echoes his 2022 fallout with United, where he slammed the club’s direction, facilities, and Glazer ownership.
Ronaldo’s United Gripes and “Fix” Vision
Ronaldo has often complained about Manchester United’s old facilities, like the Carrington training ground, and said the club lacks ambition. In his Piers Morgan interview, he called United “behind” rivals like Manchester City and Liverpool. If he owned the club, he’d probably push hard for changes.
Manchester United are still struggling even after Ronaldo left, sitting 8th in the 2025/26 Premier League right now. Since 2022, they have spent more than £650 million but only managed to finish in the top 4 once. Jim Ratcliffe buying part of the club has helped a bit, but it has not solved their problems yet.
Realistic Path to Ownership?
Ronaldo’s net worth is about $1.4 billion. This comes from endorsements, his $200 million-a-year Al-Nassr contract, and businesses like CR7 hotels. Premier League clubs like Manchester United are worth over $6 billion each. Ronaldo would need investors or to buy a smaller club first.
- Shortlist targets: Newcastle (if Saudi ties align), Valladolid (he eyed it before), or a Portuguese giant like Benfica.
- Timeline: Post-retirement maybe after 2026 world cup, leveraging his Al-Nassr stake and Middle East connections.
Some fans think Ronaldo could fix Manchester United if he owned the club, but others feel he cares too much about himself. Do you think he could really change the club, or is he just talking big?