The Ultimate Ultimatum: Ronaldo Issues “Him or Me” Decree to Manchester United
MANCHESTER, UK — In a move that has sent shockwaves from the desert of Riyadh to the rain-slicked streets of Manchester, Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly issued an unprecedented “bombshell condition” for a final return to Old Trafford.
As the legendary forward approaches the astronomical milestone of 1,000 career goals, sources close to the player suggest he is ready to walk away from his record-breaking Saudi Pro League contract to finish his story where it truly began. But there is a catch—and it’s a massive one.
The PIF “Betrayal”: What Happened Behind Closed Doors
The tension stems from a reported fracture between Ronaldo and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) hierarchy. Despite Al-Nassr’s dominance, Ronaldo has grown increasingly vocal about the strategic allocation of the transfer budget.
Reports indicate that during a high-stakes winter meeting, Ronaldo felt “misled” regarding the club’s recruitment plans compared to rivals like Al-Hilal. The Portuguese icon allegedly believes that certain figures within the boardroom—one executive in particular—have prioritized political optics over the competitive fire required to keep Al-Nassr at the global pinnacle.
> “I’m happy to come back to the club I love to reach my 1,000th goal,” Ronaldo reportedly told inner circles. “But there is one executive in that boardroom I simply cannot work with anymore. After what was said behind closed doors about the PIF transfer budget, it’s him or me. If Manchester United move him on, I’ll be at Old Trafford tomorrow.”
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The “Executive X” Factor
While Ronaldo did not name the individual publicly, the “him or me” ultimatum is believed to target a high-ranking official within the INEOS-led sporting structure at Manchester United who has been critical of “nostalgia-based” recruitment.
For Ronaldo, the return isn’t just a marketing stunt—it’s a mission. Currently sitting on the cusp of his 1,000th goal, the 41-year-old views Old Trafford as the only stage grand enough for such a feat.
| Milestone Goal | Club | Status |
|—|—|—|
| 900th | Al-Nassr | Achieved |
| 950th | Al-Nassr/Portugal | Achieved |
| 1,000th | ??? | Pending |
Manchester United’s Dilemma
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS team now face a fork in the road. On one hand, bringing back the greatest goalscorer in history would be a commercial juggernaut and a romantic end to a fractured relationship. On the other, the “bomb” Ronaldo has dropped threatens the very stability the new board has worked to build.
The Hurdles:
* The £44 Million Clause: Ronaldo reportedly has a release clause that could be triggered in the upcoming window.
* The Wage Cut: Sources suggest Ronaldo is willing to slash his £180m-a-year salary to a fraction of the cost to facilitate the move.
* Boardroom Politics: Can United afford to fire a top executive to satisfy a player, even one as legendary as CR7?
The Final Countdown
The football world is now watching the clock. With the 2026 World Cup looming and the 1,000-goal mark within touching distance, Ronaldo is clearly done playing the waiting game. He has thrown the ball into Manchester United’s court with a ferocity that few expected.
If the “Executive X” is shown the door, we might see the most famous #7 in history back in a red shirt by the weekend.
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