Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo has been offered a transfer to Udinese by the club’s goalkeeper Marco Silvestri. The suggestions came in response to Ronaldo’s claims at a recent award gala that he wishes to continue playing at the highest level of football, at least, until the next two major events have passed – the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 European Championships.
“It has been a long road, but I would like to take the opportunity to say that my road is not over yet. I feel motivated, my ambition is high. I am in the Selection with a lot of young players and I want to be part of this World Cup and the 2024 European as well, I assume now,”
he said.
Ronaldo’s attempts to play at the top tier of European football in preparation for the World Cup and beyond resulted in him searching for a new club all summer – albeit to little effect. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner refused to travel to Asia and Australia with United, who had missed out on UEFA Champions League football for the season, but returned to the squad after he was unable to find himself a new suitor – despite links to Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Napoli.
Still at United but with his contract expiring next year, Ronaldo was asked to join Udinese – high-flyers in Serie A this season – by their goalkeeper Silvestri.
“Come to Udinese,”
he said, a comment that drew a response from the club itself on Instagram.
Remarkably, Andrea Sottil’s side currently sits third in the league, occupying one of the Champions League spots after seven matchdays – and briefly went top of the table after beating Inter Milan 3-1 on the final matchday before the international break.
The Friulani have only ever qualified for the Champions League once in their history – in 2005/06 when they reached the group stage but failed to advance to the next round after finishing third in a group containing Barcelona and Werder Bremen.
