Gary Lineker’s position on Cristiano Ronaldo will be a welcoming sign for Manchester United fans, but his other response will leave them shaking their heads in disbelief.
Cristiano Ronaldo had two separate spells at Manchester United and the 40-year-old Portuguese forward had a sensational impact in his first run at Old Trafford.
Have you ever seen a better free-kick than this?
Re-watch Cristiano Ronaldo’s amazing free-kick vs Portsmouth
Unstoppable!
The United legend burst onto the scene under legendary former Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson after Ronaldo left his native homeland and Sporting CP in 2003.
Ronaldo became a key part of United folklore after his stunning exploits, which saw the Portugal icon win three consecutive Premier League titles with the club.
The former United superstar also lifted a Champions League trophy, an FA Cup and two League Cups with the Red Devils under Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign at the club.
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Cristiano Ronaldo poses after signing his contract with Manchester United at the Carrington training complex in 2021 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Gary Lineker drops the biggest tribute of all time on Man Utd icon Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s first spell at Manchester United ended in 2009 after the Portugal legend left Old Trafford and completed his blockbuster move to Real Madrid.
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The Al Nassr superstar’s stunning run of form under former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson saw him lift the first of his five Ballon d’Or awards at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo did make a sensational return to the Premier League club during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign after United re-signed him from Juventus in 2021.
Gary Lineker with the biggest praise of all for Man Utd legend Cristiano Ronaldo! ðð¥
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner did impress in his first season back at Old Trafford, but Ronaldo’s second spell was short-lived after his falling out with Erik ten Hag.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Gary Lineker took part in ‘The Best’ format for the broadcaster and was asked to name the standout name in each football category.
When it came to the best Premier League player of all time, Lineker picked none other than Ronaldo ahead of the likes of Thierry Henry and Mohamed Salah.
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Gary Lineker’s praise for Cristiano Ronaldo is offset by his snub of former Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson
Fast-forward from his praise for Ronaldo and Lineker would throw his backing behind Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola as the best manager of all time.
Pep Guardiola’s exploits, both in English football and outside of it, speak volumes and there is no debate he could be in contention for the so-called ‘GOAT’ status.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored THIS goal at 40 years old!
However, Ferguson is very much in the same bracket as Guardiola for the argument around the best manager of all time after his exploits with United and Aberdeen.
What is surprising from Lineker is to snub Ferguson for the GOAT manager status after naming Ronaldo for the best Premier League player of all time.
If there were no Ferguson, then Ronaldo’s trajectory could have taken him down a different path and who knows if he would have had the same impact elsewhere.
It is hard to separate Ronaldo being recognised as one of, if not, the best Premier League players of all time without giving Ferguson his flowers ahead of Guardiola.