LONDON: Cristiano Ronaldo says he turned down a £305m 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.

In his interview with TalkTV, Ronaldo said he chose to stay at Manchester United because he was “happy here”.

Al-Hilal and reportedly offered Portugal’s captain a two-year deal.

Ronaldo said: “It’s true, yes it’s true. But what the press keep saying, the garbage that nobody wants me, which is completely wrong.

“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?”

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.

“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.

“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.”

Ronaldo made headlines earlier this week after the early release of some of his interview with Morgan, in which he said he felt “betrayed” by United, had “no respect” for manager Erik ten Hag and is being forced out of the club.

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