MLS wants Cristiano Ronaldo, league executive says

• MLS wants Cristiano Ronaldo.
• Jeff Agoos told Insider the league would have "a lot of interest" in a player of Ronaldo's caliber.

Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking for a new club after the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and Jeff Agoos, a former US international and current Major League Soccer executive, hopes it will be in MLS.

"I've heard the name before, and it sounds like he's available," Agoos, who is MLS' senior vice president of competition and medical administration, told Insider of Ronaldo.

"We've had players like David Beckham and Ibrahimovic, but having someone with the quality of Ronaldo would certainly be something that we would have a lot of interest in."

"A lot of things can happen, but we'd be excited to have Cristiano Ronaldo," he added.

Ronaldo had his contract with Manchester United terminated last week by mutual consent, following a bombshell interview in which he attacked the club; its manager, Erik ten Hag; and its owners.

Speaking with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo said he didn't "have respect" for Ten Hag and accused United of showing a lack of "empathy" when his young daughter was hospitalized in July.

After being released by United, Ronaldo said: "I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never ever change. However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new challenge."

The saga hasn't distracted the 37-year-old forward from finding the net for Portugal in Qatar.

He opened the scoring in his country's 3-2 win over Ghana in its opening group game Thursday, slotting home from the penalty spot after being fouled in the box by Ghana defender Mohammed Salisu.

Ronaldo's goal saw him become the first player to score at five World Cups, having previously scored at the tournament in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018 (the Brazilian star Marta scored in all five Women's World Cups from 2003 to 2019).

"The first player to score goals at five World Cups, this makes me very proud," Ronaldo said.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is a phenomenon," Portugal's manager, Fernando Santos, said, adding: "In 50 years' time, we will continue to speak about him."