Cristiano Ronaldo Ignites Controversy with Scathing Critique of Manchester City’s New Signings
In a stunning twist that has set the football world ablaze, Cristiano Ronaldo, the Al Nassr superstar and former Manchester United icon, has unleashed a wave of controversy with his candid remarks about Manchester City’s two new signings, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, following their performances in a dramatic 4-3 loss to Al Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 on June 30, 2025, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Ronaldo’s assessment, which singled out one of the young stars for lacking determination and deemed them unfit for Manchester City’s ambitions, has sent shockwaves through the media and sparked heated debates among fans and pundits alike.
The match against Al Hilal was a high-octane affair, with Manchester City’s new recruits, Tijjani Reijnders, a Dutch midfielder from AC Milan, and Rayan Cherki, a French attacking prodigy from Lyon, making their competitive debuts for the Premier League giants. Despite their promise, City fell short in extra time, with Al Hilal’s Marcos Leonardo stealing the show. Ronaldo, who has a storied history with Manchester City’s rivals, Manchester United, took to a post-match interview on a Middle Eastern sports channel to share his unfiltered thoughts. “I watched the game closely, and while one of the new boys showed some spark, the other was invisible—lacking the fight you need at a club like City,” Ronaldo stated. “If you don’t have the mentality to battle every second, you don’t belong at that level.”
While Ronaldo did not explicitly name which player he criticized, sources close to the Al Nassr camp suggest his remarks were aimed at Cherki, whose performance was described as inconsistent despite flashes of brilliance. Reijnders, on the other hand, earned praise for his work rate and composure in midfield, though he failed to influence the final result. Ronaldo’s comments have ignited a firestorm on platforms like X, where fans have speculated wildly about the target of his critique. Some defend Cherki, citing his youth and potential, while others argue Ronaldo’s bluntness exposes a valid concern about City’s integration of new talent under Pep Guardiola’s high-pressure system.
Manchester City’s response has been muted, with Guardiola declining to address Ronaldo’s remarks directly, instead focusing on his team’s preparation for upcoming domestic fixtures. However, Cherki, the 20-year-old former Lyon star, posted a cryptic message on social media: “Work in silence, let success speak.” Reijnders, meanwhile, has remained silent, letting his consistent performances in training speak for themselves. Al Hilal’s players, including Neymar and Malcom, have stayed out of the fray, though their victory over City has only amplified their confidence heading into the quarterfinals against Fluminense.
Ronaldo’s remarks have also reignited discussions about his influence in football, even at 40 years old. His critique, coming from a player with five Ballon d’Or awards and a legacy of thriving under pressure, carries weight, but it has also drawn criticism for targeting young players early in their City careers. Pundits on X have called Ronaldo’s comments “harsh but fair,” while others label them as unnecessary meddling in a rival club’s affairs. As the FIFA Club World Cup progresses, this controversy adds another layer of drama to an already tumultuous tournament, with fans eagerly awaiting whether Cherki or Reijnders will respond on the pitch to prove the Portuguese legend wrong.
Word count: 515
