Cristiano Ronaldo ‘feud’ emerges as another reason why Mason Greenwood to Saudi Arabia is doubtful
Mason Greenwood's previous comments about Cristiano Ronaldo are another reason why he looks unlikely to join Saudi Arabia, according to reports.
The pair played together at Manchester United when the Portugal international returned to Old Trafford from Juventus in 2021.
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But a past observation made about the five-time Ballon d'Or winner could come back to haunt Greenwood, who has been told to leave United.
It was revealed in March that the one-cap England international had labelled Ronaldo as 'dead' during his time at Real Madrid, implying his career was over.
And have now claimed that the 38-year-old was furious once he heard about it, and has urged Saudi Pro League bosses not to consider a move to bring him to the Gulf nation.
A source told the news outlet: "Ronaldo isn’t known for his thick skin. He was really annoyed at what Greenwood said.
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"But he has good reason to be when you consider what Ronaldo has achieved in his career and where Greenwood finds himself.
“Greenwood had his nose put out of joint when Ronaldo signed for United because he ended up playing a lot less than he had hoped for, so their relationship was difficult.”
They added: "Ronaldo is treated as royalty in Saudi and what he says goes.
“He would have enough influence there to kibosh clubs from signing Greenwood if he wanted to.”
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Greenwood had been linked with a move to Steven Gerrard's Al Ettifaq on a £10million-a-year contract.
But the Liverpool legend was quick to distance himself from a transfer as he took to social media to describe the rumours as 'fake news'.
talkSPORT understands that Saudi Pro League chiefs are reluctant for their clubs to sign Greenwood following his January 2022 arrest on suspicion of rape, assault and making threats to kill.
Despite the CPS dropping all charges against the 21-year-old in February 2023, bosses in the Middle East fear taking him on would be damaging to their league's public image.
A move to Italy cannot be ruled out, with it believed that Roma are one of a number of Serie A teams that would be willing to sign him.
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