Cristiano Ronaldo says he turned down a \u00a3305m deal to join a Saudi Arabian club in the summer – a move that would have seen him become the highest-paid footballer in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n In an interview with TalkTV, Ronaldo said he chose to stay at Manchester United because he was “happy here”.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Spanish newspaper Marca reported that Al-Hilal had offered the Portugal forward a two-year deal.<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s true, yes it’s true,” said Ronaldo when asked about the rumours. <\/span><\/p>\n “But what the press keep saying, the garbage that nobody wants me, which is completely wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n “And I was happy here to be honest, I was motivated to do a great season here. But they [the media] continue to repeat that nobody wants Cristiano. How do they not want a player who scored 32 goals last year, with a national team?”<\/span><\/p>\n On turning down the money, Ronaldo told host Piers Morgan: “It’s hard, it’s hard. But in the same way, I thought that I was very happy here; that I still capable to score goals.<\/span><\/p>\n “I still believe that I can score many, many goals and help the team because I still believe that I’m still good and capable to help the national team – even Manchester United. But if you don’t feel around you that the energy’s on your side, it’s difficult.<\/span><\/p>\n “Of course, the criticism is going to exist all the time, ‘ah he’s 37, he’s not the same’. But I want to see if some guys of my age can maintain the level that I show. Yes, in this moment, I feel very, very good. I believe that I’m going to do an amazing World Cup and I’m prepared, physically and mentally.”<\/span><\/p>\n Ronaldo has made headlines this week following his interview with Morgan, in which he said he felt <\/span>“betrayed” by United, had “no respect” for manager Erik ten Hag<\/span><\/a> and is being forced out of the club.<\/span><\/p>\n His former team-mate at Old Trafford, Gary Neville, <\/span>says United “know they have to terminate” Ronaldo’s contract<\/span><\/a> following the interview, but the striker has no plans to stop playing.<\/span><\/p>\n “I want to play two years more, three years more,” said Ronaldo. “So two or three years maximum. I want to finish with 40. I think 40 will be a good age. <\/span><\/p>\n “But I don’t know, I don’t know the future. Sometimes you plan one thing for your life and as I told many times, the life is dynamic. And you never know what’s going to happen.”<\/span><\/p>\n
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