“It wasn't nice to see” - World darts champion Michael Smith on how Cristiano Ronaldo left him disappointed with 'hissy fit' at Manchester United
Michael Smith, the 2023 world darts champion, recently recalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s stroppy reaction during a Manchester United game that was the former's first live experience at Old Trafford. Smith suggested that the Portuguese star’s controversial actions left a sour taste and ruined what should have been a special occasion for him and his children.
The match in question was played during the 2022–23 Premier League season when Manchester United beat Tottenham 2-0. Frustrated with his limited game time under then-manager Erik ten Hag, Cristiano Ronaldo refused to come on as a late substitute and stormed down the tunnel before the final whistle. The incident created headlines, sparking debates about Ronaldo’s professionalism and conduct.
For Michael Smith, the memory of the game is far from what he had envisioned. As a father hoping to treat his children to a magical day watching one of football’s all-time greats, Ronaldo's behavior proved disappointing. Smith said in an exclusive interview with talkSPORT:
“I'm an armchair fan. I've been to one United game, I think, in my life. I took my boys to watch Ronaldo when we played Spurs at home. That was the game he threw a little hissy fit and walked off and wouldn't come on."
“It wasn't nice to see, but no, my boys were always asking, because they want to go to Saudi to watch him play. They want to go to Miami to watch [Lionel] Messi play. It's my youngest boy as well, he always wants to go and see them, but I'm not fussed about it. I'm not really bothered. It's up to them," he added.
Former player says Cristiano Ronaldo is 'welcome' to join Manchester United under Ruben Amorim
In November, former Manchester United player Teddy Sheringham claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo would be received with open arms if he decides to return to Old Trafford. Ronaldo left United in his second stint with ill feelings about the club’s hierarchy after an explosive interview caused his contract to be mutually terminated in 2022.
Ronaldo currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, where he is the highest-paid footballer in the world with a whopping $285 million pay annually. However, the Portuguese icon has yet to win a trophy for the Knights of Najd since he arrived in 2023.
Sheringham, who played for United between 1997 and 2001, told Flashscore (via GOAL):
“Cristiano Ronaldo would be very welcome back at Manchester United under Ruben Amorim, but he is onto bigger and better things. I think that Ronaldo will follow in the path of David Beckham in doing things away from coaching, higher profile things around the world. I'm sure he'd be very, very welcome in any capacity coming back to the club, but I doubt that he'll be a coach.”