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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>Returned to Old Trafford in 2021</li><li>Contract ripped up less than 18 months later</li><li>Evergreen star now shining in Saudi Arabia</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Cristiano Ronaldo surprisingly reacts to 39th birthday message from Man Utd - one year on from acrimonious exit sparked by Erik ten Hag fallout

King Cup

Al Nassr FC

Al Khaleej

Premier League

Crystal Palace

Manchester United

<p>The Portuguese superstar made a stunning return to English football in the summer of 2021. Less than <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/ronaldo-on-purpose-man-utd-exit-strategy-stam-handled-better/blt9b32129c6b01c4a3" target="_blank">18 months later his contract was ripped up</a>, with an explosive interview leading to a falling out with manager Erik ten Hag that saw a professional relationship there damaged beyond repair.</p><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C29lQwdsk-a/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=762c3198-47dd-4fdc-8a9e-7830cae910c1" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Ronaldo headed to the Middle East after severing ties with the Red Devils and has continued to star for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr. He <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-usia-38-tahun-masih-masuk-dalam-level-liga-champions-eropa/bltf1fe5ca91bc0fea0" target="_blank">hit a world-leading 54 goals for club and country in 2023</a>, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner showing no sign of slowing down.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>He <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-cristiano-ronaldo-39th-birthday-celebrated-unique-style-saudi-pro-league-al-nassr/bltd277155844ff2347" target="_blank">turned 39 on February 5</a>, with birthday wishes flooding in from every corner of the planet. One of those messages was sent from Manchester. Ronaldo could have been forgiven for ignoring United, given <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/everyone-afraid-cristiano-ronaldo-nobody-scared-man-utd-anderson-questions-decision-superstar-leave-54-goals/blt078645509a73f714" target="_blank">how their partnership ended</a>, but he has liked their post on social media.</p><picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt5f566084f1533ab5/ronaldo_bday_like.jpg?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt5f566084f1533ab5/ronaldo_bday_like.jpg?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt5f566084f1533ab5/ronaldo_bday_like.jpg?format=jpg" alt="Cristiano Ronaldo like Manchester United birthday" data-source="Instagram" data-copyright="Instagram" perform:prop="uuid:blt5f566084f1533ab5;width:475;height:353"></picture>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Ronaldo is currently recovering from an unfortunate injury that prevented him from <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-cristiano-still-get-last-dance-inter-miami-love-rematch-al-nassr-6-0-drubbing-saudi-arabia/blt00e9a7de2a576804" target="_blank">lining up against eternal rival Lionel Messi</a> in a recent friendly date between Al-Nassr and Inter Miami. He will be hoping to come back into contention for the resumption of competitive action in Saudi Arabia – with Al-Nassr set to face Al Feiha in the AFC Champions League last-16 on February 14.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

Cristiano Ronaldo surprisingly reacts to 39th birthday message from Man Utd - one year on from acrimonious exit sparked by Erik ten Hag fallout | Goal.com

Cristiano Ronaldo has surprisingly reacted to a birthday message from Manchester United a year on from his acrimonious departure at Old Trafford.

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