Cristiano Ronaldo bitterly snubbed Gary Neville live on Sky Sports in awkward moment, it was personal
Cristiano Ronaldo brutally snubbed former Manchester United teammate Gary Neville ahead of Sunday’s clash with West Ham United.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was dropped for United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea eight days ago after refusing to come on against Tottenham Hotspur.
Neville said, following that game, it was time for United to ‘end their relationship’ with Ronaldo as early as the January transfer window.
Ronaldo returned to the starting XI for Thursday’s 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League and scored, earning him a start this afternoon.
United’s players came out to warm up at Old Trafford before kick-off, with the team passing the Sky Sports pundits set up outside the tunnel.
Ronaldo embraced ex-Red Devils striker Saha, then Jamie Redknapp before ignoring Neville. The 37-year-old then made his way over to the pitch.
How quickly things can change. In August, Ronaldo quickly approached Neville and Roy Keane before United’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool, but pied Jamie Carragher, who had criticised him prior to the game.
Gary Neville getting aired by Cristiano Ronaldo… 😳🤣 pic.twitter.com/UpKAmNjw1v
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 30, 2022
Carragher commented on Ronaldo leaving Neville hanging on social media, tweeting: “Welcome to the blanked by Ronaldo club @GNev2.”
Neville joked on the broadcast: “We’re [he and Carragher] off the Christmas card list.”
Fans on social media have reacted to the incident and they can’t believe Ronaldo’s reaction.
One person said: “Lol Neville always backed him but for one small thing, for which Gary was right, he broke the relationship.”
Another put: “This is so bad, these two go way back.”
A third tweeted: “Neville translated one of Ronaldo’s first interviews back in the day now it’s gone this way. Shame.”
While someone added: “He took that criticism personally.”
Victory for United will see them move up to fifth in the table and they’re currently seven games unbeaten in all competitions.
Supporting Ronaldo in attack are Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga. Summer signing Antony is missing through injury, while Jadon Sancho is on the bench.
Captain Harry Maguire makes his first Premier League start since August after recovering from a hamstring issue. Victor Lindelof is ill, meaning United have no central defender on the bench.
