Nemanja Matic on Cristiano Ronaldo's Man United return
Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United in 2009 with his legacy assured. A key player during his first spell, he contributed to three consecutive Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph.
Upon returning to Old Trafford in 2021, Ronaldo was already a global superstar, having scored over 100 goals for the club and winning titles with Real Madrid and Juventus.
One of the seasoned players alongside him was Nemanja Matic, who reflected on their time together: "It was a special moment when he returned. You could feel the pressure when he was there – I saw the young guys always try to give him the ball, even when it wasn’t the right pass," Matic remarked.
Matic added, "He was a fantastic person, always positive – he didn’t want to be negative at any point, which is probably why he’s achieved what he has in his career. He wasn’t in his prime, but I’m proud to have played with him."
Ronaldo featured in 40 league matches during his second stint at Manchester United before transferring to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League in 2022. Now at 40, he continues to be an influential figure, recently engaging with world leaders ahead of the World Cup 2026 draw.
Meanwhile, Matic, at 37, is still active in his football career after signing with Serie A side Sassuolo.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!