Cristiano Ronaldo got what he wanted.
Just as George Costanza invested tremendous efforts to get him fired from the New York Yankees in one of the iconic episodes of Seinfeld - the 37-year-old star has also recently tried to free himself from the yoke that Manchester United was for him.
And here it is - yesterday, a week after the grandiose interview he gave to Piers Morgan, the Portuguese received the release notice.
"An agreement has been reached on the release of his contract," the group's statement read.
"I love Manchester United, but I feel it's time to look for a new challenge," the player said.
As usual with the Portuguese star, the timing is no less dramatic than the announcement.
In the 2018 World Cup, he managed to steal the focus when he announced the move from Real Madrid to Juventus, and this time the announcement of the Red Devils' departure came two days before his team's opening game tonight (18:00, here 11), against Ghana.
In general, in recent days the Portuguese have been more concerned with Ronaldo's words, and less with his actions.
Ronaldo will be able to silence everyone?
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He constantly produced headlines: "I don't care what people think of me";
"I'm sure my interview didn't change anything in the team's dressing room";
"I am convinced that we can win the cup, but we need to concentrate on the first game for that" - and it seems that as soon as he received the release notice from United, he understood that it was time to stand behind the last quote and concentrate on the mission for which he came here.
He abandoned the talks, and yesterday waived his duty to participate in the press conference as the captain of the national team.
Now that the United saga is behind him, Ronaldo is ready to go.
The Portuguese were waiting for this exact moment.
All the fuss around didn't do well for Fernando Santos' team, who in any case arrived in Qatar with enough criticism and doubts about their ability in the last few games.
The players of the national team are determined to transfer the talk to the field, and that is what they will try to do tonight.
Ronaldo and his teammates.
Will they be able to do it?, Photo: Getty Images
going together
In the local media there is unanimity about the fact that this is a very talented generation, and that the group that includes players like Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandez, Rafael Lao, Diego Dalot, Joao Cancelo and others can go all the way.
Regarding Ronaldo's role within this fabric there is still a heated debate in Portugal - some think he should continue to lead, while others argue that he should clear the stage.
As it stands now, at least initially he will be there on the grass, in the fifth World Cup of his life.
"I'm really not bothered by everything that happened with him in the last few days," clarified the coach at the press conference, "the only word written on the board in the dressing room is 'we'."
There are not many Portuguese fans here in Qatar.
Unlike the Argentines, who brought here an army that supports Leo Messi - Ronaldo and Portugal do not have that back.
Maybe this situation will actually help the big star in his last World Cup.
Maybe all he needs now is a little quiet.
Betwinner ratio for a Portugal win 1.30, a draw 4.10 and a Ghana win 7.80
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