Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has made shocking comments about Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming the Portuguese superstar has not been at his best for nearly eight years.
Ten Hag Claims Ronaldo Has Been Past His Best for Eight Years
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has sparked fresh controversy after claiming that Cristiano Ronaldo has not been able to perform at the highest level for the past seven or eight years.
The Dutch coach made the surprising comments during an interview with ESPN Netherlands on November 1, 2026.
Ten Hag, who worked with Ronaldo at Manchester United in 2022, believes the Portuguese superstar started to decline after leaving Real Madrid for Juventus in 2018.
His latest comments have brought fresh attention to the difficult relationship between the two football figures.
Ten Hag makes shocking claim about Ronaldo
Speaking on the Dutch television programme Goedemorgen Eredivisie, Ten Hag praised Ronaldo’s incredible career but questioned his ability to continue playing at the highest level.
“Over the last seven or eight years, he simply can no longer deliver,” Ten Hag said.
He then added: “From Juventus onwards, it’s simply over.”
The former United manager insisted that Ronaldo remains one of the greatest players in football history. However, he believes the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has not maintained the same level since leaving Spain.
Ten Hag also suggested that Real Madrid made the right decision when they sold Ronaldo to Juventus in 2018.
According to the Dutchman, Real Madrid understand when a player’s performances are beginning to decline and know the right time to let major stars leave.
Ten Hag questions Ronaldo’s fitness and training
The 56-year-old also explained why his relationship with Ronaldo became difficult during their time at Manchester United.
Ten Hag claimed that Ronaldo could no longer meet the physical demands of the Premier League.
He argued that modern football requires players to work hard for the team, maintain excellent fitness and train at the highest intensity every day.
According to Ten Hag, Ronaldo was no longer able to push himself to the physical level required at Manchester United.
Although he recognised Ronaldo’s goalscoring ability, the Dutch coach believed the forward struggled to match the speed and intensity of English football.
Ten Hag also stressed that no individual player should be placed above the interests of the team.
Ronaldo’s impressive numbers tell another story
Despite Ten Hag’s criticism, Ronaldo continued to produce impressive numbers after leaving Real Madrid.
During his time at Juventus, the Portuguese forward scored 101 goals in 134 Serie A appearances and helped the Italian club win two league titles.
He also scored 18 Premier League goals during the 2021/22 season after returning to Manchester United, finishing among the league’s leading scorers.
Even at 41, Ronaldo continues to score goals for Al Nassr and remains focused on reaching 1,000 career goals.
These achievements have created debate over Ten Hag’s comments, although the coach’s criticism focuses mainly on Ronaldo’s physical performance and ability to work within a team.
Old Trafford conflict returns to the spotlight
Ronaldo and Ten Hag had a difficult relationship during the first months of the 2022/23 season.
The Portuguese superstar lost his regular place in Manchester United’s starting lineup, while disagreements over his role created growing tension.
Ronaldo eventually left the club in November 2022 following a controversial interview with Piers Morgan.
Nearly four years later, Ten Hag’s latest comments have brought their disagreement back into the headlines.
While Ronaldo continues to chase historic goalscoring records, his former manager remains convinced that his best years ended long before their time together at Old Trafford.
