ALEJANDRO GARNACHO’S vacation attire has generated controversy.
Fans were concerned that the Manchester United star may irritate his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, when he wore an Al-Ittihad shirt during preseason training.
Alejandro Garnacho wore an Al-Ittihad shirt while posing for a selfie.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Garnacho’s idol, might be offended by the photo.
Garnacho has publicly displayed his affection for Ronaldo by calling himself “Cristiano” when playing bowling with his mates and by donning the star’s underwear line on the field.
During Ronaldo’s second stint at Old Trafford, he even had the opportunity to share a field with the Portuguese bagger six times.
But by wearing an Al-Ittihad shirt with the Saudi Arabian team, who are bitter rivals of Ronaldo’s current team Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, Garnacho runs the danger of upsetting his inspiration.
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The image of Garnacho sporting the Al-Ittihad colors left fans speechless and perplexed, and many reacted on social media.
“Why is his idol wearing Al-Ittihad’s jersey when he plays for Al Nassr?” one person wrote.
“Why not Al Nassr’s jersey to support his idol???” said another.
A third slammed “Disgraceful.”
“Not even wearing his idols shirt!” said a fourth.
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Ronaldo currently plays for Al-Nassr, a Saudi team.
Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad, the home of Karim Benzema, are bitter rivals in the Saudi Pro League.
The shirt was worn by Garnacho while he worked out late before the campaign officially began.
After his Copa America triumph with Argentina this summer, the 20-year-old was given a lengthy sabbatical and has yet to return to his Manchester United colleagues.
United teammate Facundo Pellistri, who is also on a postponed summer break after playing for Uruguay in the Copa America, joined him for his workout.
Supporters believe United manager Erik ten Hag would not be happy with the Garnacho’s wardrobe selections too; some speculate that his Al-Ittihad photo may indicate he is up to speed.
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“Bro wants that Saudi move!” one person wrote.
Another person added, “Bro is trying to get out of Manchester United.”
Last season, Garnacho scored ten goals across all competitions, including the game-winning goal in United’s FA Cup victory over Man City, their neighbors, at Wembley.
Currently on a preseason tour in the United States, Manchester United’s preparations got off to a rough start last week as they lost 2-1 to rivals Arsenal in Los Angeles.
On Saturday night, they play a friendly match against Liverpool in South Carolina to wrap off their tour. They then travel to San Diego to play Real Betis.
In the annual curtain-raiser, Ten Hag’s team will take against Man City in the Community Shield at Wembley on August 10.