John Obi Mikel registered 372 appearances for Chelsea between 2006 and 2017 (Picture: Getty)
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has slammed Cristiano Ronaldo over his large ego and has warned his old club about making an offer.
Manchester United terminated Ronaldo’s contract with immediate effect on Tuesday with the 37-year-old now able to join whichever club he likes after the Qatar World Cup.
United were furious with Ronaldo’s recent criticism of boss Erik ten Hag and the club’s owners during his explosive interview with Piers Morgan, which aired in two parts on TalkTV.
Ronaldo claimed he had ‘no respect’ for Ten Hag, accused the Glazer family of failing to improve United’s facilities since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and blasted his younger team-mates at Old Trafford.
‘I’ve never been a Ronaldo fan really,’ Obi Mikel told Dubai Eye. ‘For me, when a player has so much ego, I don’t really get it.
‘He’s never been one of my favourite players and that’s why I always go for [Lionel] Messi really.
‘I mean, if someone comes out and gives such an interview, what makes you think, if he signs for your club in January, he won’t do the same?
‘So, I mean, every club is going to be aware of that… but listen, he is Cristiano Ronaldo; he’s one of the greatest players ever to have played the game.
‘I think he’s going to get another club in January and continue his football career.
‘But for me, it’s just a horrible scenario, he’s done so much for the club, and to see it end this way, it’s just horrible.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored three goals across 16 games for Man Utd this season (Picture: Getty)
‘On his part really, I would say that interview shouldn’t have been done, wrong timing as well.
‘It’s just not right. It doesn’t look right for such a player that has achieved so much in the game.’
Ronaldo has been linked with Chelsea since the summer with American owner Todd Boehly believed to be keen on bringing him to Stamford Bridge.
However, the Blues reportedly have no current plans to sign Ronaldo, according to the latest reports, with Newcastle United and Bayern Munich also distancing themselves from a move.
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‘I’ve never been a Ronaldo fan…’
