Cristiano Ronaldo speaks out after storming off down the tunnel in ‘the heat of the moment’
"I’ve always tried to set the example myself for the youngsters that grew in all the teams that I’ve represented... unfortunately, that’s not always possible."
Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken out to address the moment he was seen storming off down the tunnel before the end of Manchester United‘s win over Tottenham earlier this week.
The red half of Manchester may be sitting in a somewhat respectable fifth place on the Premier League table at the time of writing, but the team’s impressive 2-0 win over high-flying Spurs on Wednesday night was still undoubtedly a relief for Red Devils’ fans watching on the night after a recent mixed run of matches.
The joyous occasion was, however, a bit marred for some fans by the fact star striker Ronaldo took the decision to head on down the tunnel before the game had even finished.
The Reds were already cruising home to victory thanks to goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes.
But the 37-year-old striker appeared unhappy at his lack of playing time during the match, and while he should have been ready to welcome the rest of his teammates back into the dressing room after their convincing victory, he instead chose to get up from the bench and head for the Old Trafford exit in the 89th minute.
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Speaking after the match on Wednesday, manager Erik ten Hag said he would “deal with [Ronaldo] tomorrow” and that his focus for the time being was on celebrating the big win and recovering for their next game this Saturday.
Now, after much fan chatter and speculation about why he chose to exit the pitch early, the Portuguese player has taken to social media to speak out on the matter.
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Cristiano Ronaldo speaks out after storming off down the tunnel in ‘the heat of the moment’ / Credit: Cristiano Ronaldo (via Instagram)
Addressing the situation in a post to Instagram, Ronaldo said: “As I’ve always done throughout my career, I try to live and play respectfully towards my colleagues, my adversaries and my coaches. That hasn’t changed. I haven’t changed. I’m the same person and the same professional that I’ve been for the last 20 years playing elite football, and respect has always played a very important role in my decision making process.
“I started very young, the older and most experienced players examples were always very important to me. Therefore, later on, I’ve always tried to set the example myself for the youngsters that grew in all the teams that I’ve represented.
“Unfortunately that’s not always possible and sometimes the heat of the moment gets the best of us.
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“Right now, I just feel that I have to keep working hard in Carrington, support my teammates and be ready for everything in any given game.
“Giving in to the pressure is not an option. It never was. This is Manchester United, and united we must stand.
Since ten Hag was appointed manager of Manchester United, footballing veteran and all-time world-leading goalscorer Ronaldo has enjoyed significantly less time on the pitch than he is used to, and while he has scored a couple of goals in the minutes he has played, the feeling is that his contribution to the team’s wider performance is waning.
This isn’t the first time he’s thrown a bit of a strop over being left on the bench this season either, and his attitude towards his lack of minutes has lead to fans and media alike branding his behaviour “childish”, “embarrassing” and “incredibly disrespectful”.
Following the early tunnel exit incident, Manchester United has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will not be including in the squad to face Chelsea in the Premier League this weekend.
Featured Image – Manchester United
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Manchester Storm’s record-breaking return to AO Arena goes down a storm with fans
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Storm have made their grand return to the AO Arena, after more than two decades away from their former home.
And it appears the ice hockey craze (which may have been spurred on by a certain Heated Rivalry) is here to stay, with record-breaking numbers piling into the venue for Sunday’s match against Sheffield Steelers.
The AO Arena has now shared that a record crowd of 11,000 fans attended the long-awaited Manchester Storm homecoming last week.
The action has gone down a storm with fans, with plenty of chatter on social media (and videos of a certain fight) doing the rounds.
Manchester Storm’s homecoming has now smashed the record for an Elite Hockey pre-season fixture, with fans travelling from across Manchester and beyond.
As the team enters this new era, bidding farewell to the ‘Storm Shelter’ in Altrincham that’s been their home for a decade, demand for tickets is continuing to grow.
This is the first time fans have been able to see the club on the ice at the AO Arena since 2004, and last weekend they thrilled supporters with a 5-5 draw agains the Steelers.
Manchester Storm is now set to bring approximately 35 games to the city centre each year, providing a regular programme of major sporting events for Manchester and its visitors.
It also brings elite-level hockey back to one of Europe’s largest indoor sporting arenas.
Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at the AO Arena says, “Tonight is a hugely significant moment for Manchester.
“To welcome Manchester Storm back to their former home after more than 20 years, and to do so in front of a record Elite Hockey League crowd, is incredibly special.
“The response from supporters has demonstrated the strength of Manchester’s passion for ice hockey and the demand for world-class sport in the city. We’re proud to be able to provide a home for the Storm as they begin this exciting new chapter.”
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it
Emily Sergeant
Erling Haaland has answered the all-important question.
The question heard around the world, the question on everyone’s lips, a question that has absolutely nothing to do with football whatsoever… that’s right, he’s answered Letterboxd’s famous question of ‘what are your four favourite films?’.
If you’re unaware of what Letterboxd is, it describes itself as being an ‘online diary platform and app for film lovers’ and it gives users the chance to display their four favourite films at the top of their profile for all to see (and judge).
An extension of this has then been Letterboxd asking celebrities in press junket interviews and on red carpets what their ‘four faves’ are – and it’s gone on to become something of a phenomenon in the film world.
Everyone from massive A-list movie stars, to indie darlings and up-and-coming names have answered this question before, and now (it appears) to be Erling Haaland’s turn.
He’s not the first footballer to be tasked with question though, as the entire Spurs team was ambushed with it by former player – and famously massive cinephile – Alfie Whiteman last year, but it’s fair to say that after the summer he’s had with Norway at the World Cup, achieving international fame in the process, that Haaland is one of the most high-profile to answer it in a long while.
So, what’s on Erling’s list then?
Well, to self-confessed ‘film bros’ out there, you’re not going to find any deep cuts in this selection unfortunately, and you’re probably not going to get any recommendations for movies you haven’t seen before either, but come on, he is only a footballer after all.
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it / Credit: Letterboxd
First up for the Manchester City striker is a pretty common pick by straight white men, it’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and he doesn’t give much of a reason for it, other than just suggesting: “I think you understand why”.
He then follows that up with Ridley Scott’s classic Gladiator, calling it ‘amazing’, before naming 2004’s epic Troy, and then rounding it out with a Christmas favourite for many, Home Alone, adding that he ‘watched it a lot as a kid, and then again now’.
As for fan reaction to Haaland’s four favourites, let’s just say it’s been mixed.
Among the 1,000+ comments on the Instagram video, you’ll find just as many people called him ‘king’ and saying he has ‘goated’ taste, as you will comments like this: “He has the most male gazed top four in history of Letterboxd.”
Emily Sergeant -
21st October 2022 
