Cristiano Ronaldo: Possible destinations for Man Utd superstar

The clear tension between Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo has entered its always inevitable end-game – a very public and thoroughly irretrievable falling out.

Ronaldo has lashed out at Erik ten Hag, other unnamed officials, and the culture of the club in general in a television interview. Even Wayne Rooney got it in the neck.

All that really remains now is the divorce, which will probably be a messy one. It will also almost certainly be a quick one, though, one way or another.

Here is a look at which clubs could offer Ronaldo a route out of Old Trafford this summer.

7. Inter Miami

Ever since MLS confirmed that David Beckham's Inter Miami would be joining the league, the rumour mill has be churning out a litany of scarcely-believable links.

Ronaldo has not been immune to a mention, though a move seems as unlikely as ever right now.

After failing to get the most out of big-name players such as Gonzalo Higuain, Blaise Matuidi and errrrr, Ryan Shawcross, Phil Neville seems to be taking a more holistic approach this season.

They do have a Higuain-shaped hole to fill now after the Argentinian's recent retirement, but does the MLS really give Ronaldo the attention he clearly still craves? Unlikely.

Likelihood rating: 1/10

6. Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo is a legend at Santiago Bernabeu and would be welcomed back with open arms.

However, from a footballing standpoint at least, this one just does not make any sense.

Karim Benzema is a far better player than Ronaldo these days, meaning the centre-forward spot is very much his. Shifting Vinicius Junior away from the left side could also tank his development just as he's threatening to break into the world-class category this season.

If they have any sense, Real will steer clear so as not to sully the memories.

Likelihood rating: 1/10

5. Sporting CP

This one is for the romantics out there...

Rumours linking Ronaldo with a return to the club where it all began have followed him around in his recent career with Bruno Fernandes the latest player to encourage his current teammate to take the plunge before retirement.

While it is easy to see CR7 succumbing to this idyllic narrative at some point, 2023 feels slightly too early for him to go back to Portugal.

He will likely want another proper stab at a European trophy before then. After all, if he was ready to fade away into insignificance at a former club who don't look like competing with the continent's elite for now, he would probably be happy where he is.

Likelihood rating: 2/10

4. Paris Saint-Germain

Ronaldo being available will test Paris Saint-Germain's apparent commitment to a team ethic to its absolute limit this summer.

Although all of the signs coming out of Parc des Princes suggest PSG are hoping to move away from signing superstars, possessing the two most marketable players in the history of the game could prove too tempting for the Qatari owners to turn down.

With Lionel Messi's contract set to expire this summer, having Ronaldo too might convince the Argentine to stick around just out of pure fascination. Alternatively, it would give PSG some insurance from a commercial point of view if Messi opts to head back to Barca.

In terms of the actual football it would almost certainly be a bad idea, but that's beside the point.

Likelihood rating: 4/10

3. Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich admitted they held talks with Ronaldo last summer but 'quickly wrote him off' as a transfer target.

It seems unlikely that his season so far at Man Utd has made them re-evaluate that position, but you never know.

The move would certainly appeal to Ronaldo. Not only has he never played in Germany before, moving to Bayern would pretty much guarantee a domestic title and a decent shot of winning the Champions League.

Likelihood rating: 4/10

2. Barcelona

It would definitely be story if Real Madrid legend Ronaldo signed for Barcelona. It would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

An awful lot has changed since then, though, for both player and club.

Barcelona's financial difficulties are well-documented, so the chance to sign one of the most marketable superstars on the planet on a cut-price deal may be too tempting to pass up, especially if they can then add Messi into the commercial mix as well next season.

It just feels like a very Barcelona thing to do right now.

Likelihood rating: 5/10

1. Chelsea

This sounded fanciful when the move was first rumoured last summer, but it's starting to make a lot of sense.

Chelsea are short up front and everyone knows that owner Todd Boehly is looking for a marquee signing. Ronaldo definitely fits that bill.

Man Utd may not like the idea of letting Ronaldo join a Premier League rival, but now they probably just want rid of him without really caring where he goes.

Likelihood rating: 6/10