Amid the recent controversy surrounding him, Cristiano Ronaldo has been urged to realise that he is "finished" by a former Real Madrid forward.
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The 37-year-old was dropped from Manchester United's squad to take on Chelsea this past weekend following his early walk-off during his side's win over Tottenham Hotspur last Wednesday.
His actions were met with consequences, with head coach Erik ten Hag insisting that instilling values at the Red Devils is more important in the long term than the potential short-term benefits of having Ronaldo around the team following his latest antics.
The Portugal captain's situation in England has led to plenty of reaction from former players and current pundits around the world, with ex-Los Blancos forward Antonio Cassano the latest to chime in on the intense saga.
The Italian, who has not been shy about his feelings regarding Ronaldo in the past, took aim at the five-time Ballon d'Or winner again, this time suggesting he would respect the United No. 7 more if he acknowledged he is far past his best.
"You need to have self-love and the dignity to say 'I'm finished,'" he told Bobo TV.
"His agent and those around him let him pass like the strongest, but they have not understood that he has not made it for three-four years.
"He will continue to score goals in a thousand ways, but in terms of movements he cannot take it anymore. He must have self-love, this summer he had to say: 'Ok, I'm going to Sporting, I'm going to the World Cup and see you all'.
"Instead he puts Manchester United in difficulty, his team, with which he made history. He has the eyes of the world on him and he behaves like this.
"Erik Ten Hag is consistent, he makes him play 10-15 minutes. He went to America, China, Dubai. He has nothing to do with football that matters to him. The athleticism is over, if he raised his hand and said enough. And I would applaud him."
Ronaldo has made 12 appearances for United in all competitions so far this season, scoring two goals.
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