Eric Cantona has admitted that he would have immediately ruled out doing one thing that fellow Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo did in his playing career.
The 57-year-old stunned the world in 1997 with his sudden retirement from football, with Eric Cantona only 30 years old at the time that he hung up his boots.
Cantona, who was replaced as United captain by Roy Keane, had a legendary impact at Old Trafford after he was snapped up from Leeds United in 1992 for £1m.
The prolific Frenchman was a larger-than-life figure at Old Trafford and adored by Manchester United fans, with Cantona an inspiring presence in the dressing room.
During his illustrious spell at United in the 1990s, Cantona captured four Premier League titles and two FA Cups under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sir Alex Ferguson was a big admirer of the former France international, with the Scotsman naming him among the four world-class players he managed.
The eccentric Cantona pursued different career paths after his successful spell at United, including acting and following his passion for music.
Cantona was one of United’s most iconic players to wear the No 7 shirt, with Red Devils legends David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo later following in his footsteps.
Cantona would not have done what Ronaldo did
Eric Cantona did not return to club football after his Old Trafford exit, but the Manchester United legend did enjoy a successful period with France’s football beach team.
Cristiano Ronaldo is currently playing for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr after he left United for the second time in 2022 amid his falling out with manager Erik ten Hag.
The 39-year-old Portuguese superstar pulled no punches towards Erik ten Hag, who had replaced Ronaldo’s former United teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager.
Speaking to The Big Issue, Cantona was asked if he would have been tempted to play in Saudi Arabia when he was still playing football.
However, the Frenchman immediately dismissed the idea of playing in Saudi Arabia, with Cantona uninterested in the lucrative incentive of playing in the country.
Cantona insisted that he “never played football for money” and those who play in Saudi Arabia do not have the same “passion” for football.
The former United star even aimed a dig at players who were 30 years old in Saudi Arabia, with Cantona saying it would be better to retire than play in the country.
When asked if he would have been tempted to play in Saudi Arabia amid the big-money offers, Cantona replied: “No. NO! When I finished my career, I was only 30 years old.
“When I lost the passion, I decided to retire. I could have played five or seven more years.
“I never played football for money. I would have paid a lot of money to play for Manchester United.
“Going to Saudi Arabia we can’t speak about passion of football. Just passion for making money.
“For old players, OK, but for some players, maybe 30 years old, they’re not passionate about football, it’s better to retire. If you decide to go to Saudi Arabia, that is just money.”
Ronaldo has defended Saudi Pro League
Ronaldo, who is now captain of Al Nassr, has staunchly defended the Saudi Pro League and tipped the potential of Saudi Arabia’s top-flight domestic league.
However, the former United star previously claimed during his 2022 bombshell interview with Piers Morgan that he wanted to keep playing at the highest level.
“Is it also that you want to keep playing at the highest level, you want to keep breaking records, play in the Champions League,” Morgan said at the time.
“If it was just about money, you would be in Saudi Arabia earning the king’s ransom, but that’s not what motivates you.”
Responding to Morgan, Ronaldo replied: “Exactly, because I still believe that I can score many, many goals and help the team.
“I believe I am still good enough to help my national team, even Manchester United.”
Ronaldo’s contract with the Red Devils was terminated by mutual agreement in 2022 and the United legend signed for Al Nassr in 2023.
The Portugal captain claimed that he had received offers from around the world, including “many” in Europe, after he completed his big-money move to Al Nassr.
Ronaldo said back in January that the Saudi Pro League was “more competitive” than Ligue 1, with France’s top-flight league wasting no time in hitting back at his dig.