Cristiano Ronaldo, the former Man United luminary, showcased a resurgent brilliance on Friday night, propelling Al Nassr to a resounding 5-0 triumph against Al Fateh. Renowned presenter Piers Morgan, a discerning observer of the football realm, opined that Ronaldo's vitality and determination appear more pronounced than ever.
Amidst the backdrop of a remarkable hat-trick delivered by the Portuguese virtuoso for Al Nassr, Morgan resurfaced his pointed critique of Erik ten Hag. In the recent days, Ronaldo played an instrumental role in guiding his Saudi Arabian contingent into the AFC Champions League group stages, a feat unaccomplished for a span of three years.
This achievement was etched through a decisive victory over Shabab Al Ahli in the play-off stage. However, within the Pro League milieu, Ronaldo's form had yet to attain its zenith, a narrative that transformed over the course of the weekend.
Al Nassr had initially encountered a lackluster start in the league, succumbing to defeat in their opening duels. Notably, Ronaldo's absence loomed in his team's loss to Al Ettifaq led by Steven Gerrard, attributed to an injury setback.
Ronaldo's Resplendent Revival: A Stellar Evening
Nonetheless, the spectacle witnessed on the evening of the previous day was a masterclass delivered by the 38-year-old Ronaldo, steering his side to secure their maiden three points of the ongoing campaign.
With flair reminiscent of his prime, Ronaldo even orchestrated a jaw-dropping assist for Sadio Mane, orchestrating a revival of form for Luis Castro's squad. Notably, Ronaldo's venture into Al Nassr transpired in January 2023, a decision tinged with controversy following a candid interview with Morgan.
The exchange, transpiring the previous November, saw the striker openly criticize Ten Hag, the Glazers, and erstwhile comrades Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney, an acerbic commentary on the club. In the aftermath of Ronaldo's migration to the Middle East, Morgan emerged as a vocal detractor of the Reds' helm.
This propensity persisted, particularly when the prodigious ex-United stalwart delivered standout performances. The most recent instance was Friday night, wherein the sagacious broadcast journalist renewed his critique directed at Ten Hag.
Morgan's assertion, conveyed through X, reverberates: "As Cristiano Ronaldo notches a triumphant trifecta while orchestrating a sublime assist for Mane, all the while exuding a rejuvenated vigor, it serves as a poignant reminder that Erik 'I am a genius, just ask me' ten Hag relegated him as surplus for a Manchester United contingent seemingly adrift in front of the goal."