A Dublin schoolgirl Cristiano Ronaldo gave his shirt to on the Aviva Stadium pitch is delighted her hero might leave Manchester United.
Football fans are debating whether or not Ronaldo, 37, could be sacked by the Premier League side following his shock TV claims about his club, depending on his contract. But Dublin girl Addison Whelan, 12, who plays for Shelbourne’s U13s, insisted United “do not deserve him”, her father Peter revealed.
He told Dublin Live: “Addison said to me, ‘Dad, wouldn’t it be great if Ronaldo left United and joined us instead’. She’s an Arsenal fan and wants him at the Emirates. We’d like to see him finish out the season with us. Maybe he’d join for six months. She says United don’t deserve him. She definitely wasn’t upset about the interview.”
Read more: Dublin girl who stormed pitch explains how she dodged security to meet Ronaldo
Video footage of a shock Ronaldo interview emerged on Sunday after United beat Fulham 2-1 in their last match before the soccer World Cup. He claimed United “betrayed” him and that senior figures at the club were trying to force out the five-time former world player of the year.
It was last November when Portugal and Ireland drew 0-0 at the Aviva in Dublin in a qualifier for the World Cup which starts this Sunday. As the full-time whistle blew, Addison hurdled a barrier and sprinted towards the Portugal captain. Stewards grabbed Addison but Ronaldo told them to release her, before giving her his shirt.
READ MORE
Gardai confirm six abuse allegations against Spiritan Order made within last week
Temperatures to drop below freezing in Ireland as warm spell turns to cold snap
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
