Manchester United have reportedly begun the process of terminating the contract of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has made headlines worldwide this week following his controversial 'tell-all' interview with Piers Morgan.
Ronaldo took no prisoners as he slammed the club multiple times during the 90-minute interview, taking swipes at the club's ownership and United boss Erik ten Hag.
The 37-year-old also blasted the Red Devils for failing to move with the times, claiming that no progress had been made since he departed for Real Madrid back in 2009.
The Portuguese superstar even took aim at members of the current United playing squad, as well as club legends such as Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville.
So comprehensive was his burial of his employers that there seemed to be little chance of Ronaldo ever playing for the Old Trafford outfit again.
READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo: Man Utd begin steps towards terminating his contract
It was hardly a surprise on Friday morning, therefore, when the Daily Mail reported that United's legal team had taken the first steps towards ripping up his huge £500,000-per-week deal.
With the contract set to run until June 2023, it is estimated that Ronaldo is set to miss out on around £16 million as a result of his apparent breach of contract.
One of the most famous sportspeople on the planet, Ronaldo would almost certainly be the most high-profile footballer ever to be sacked by his club.
Get your Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT T-Shirt at the GiveMeSport Shop
Cristiano Ronaldo GMS shop
However, he's far from the only player over the years to give their club grounds to bin them off because of disciplinary issues.
In honour of Ronaldo's spectacular fall from grace, we've decided to take a look back at 11 players who were shown the door after breaching their contracts.
Patrice Evra (Marseille - 2017)
After suffering verbal abuse from one of his own supporters before a November 2017 Europa League match against Vitoria Guimaraes, Evra lashed out at the fan with a kick.
Following his actions, the former French international was shown a red card before the match had even begun.
Evra was swiftly suspended by Marseille and also slapped with a UEFA charge for violent conduct.
The player was later hit with a seven-month ban from all UEFA competitions, after which the French side terminated his contract.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 12: Patrice Evra speaking with Gabby Logan on stage at the 'Prime Video Presents Sport' event at Pan Pacific on October 12, 2021 in London, England. At the event a series of announcements were revealed, including the Amazon Original documentary on the life and career of Wayne Rooney and Lioness: The Nicola Adams Story. (Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for Amazon Prime)
Joey Barton (Rangers - 2016)
Barton was never shy of a confrontation throughout his playing career - and stayed true to form during a brief stint at Ibrox.
The midfielder got into spats with team-mate Andy Halliday and boss Mark Warburton in quick succession and was suspended for his conduct.
Attempts by the club to sort the situation quickly fell apart when Barton insisted he had 'nothing to apologise for'.
Rangers tore up his deal after just eight appearances.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 06: Joey Barton of Rangers during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Hamilton Academical at Ibrox Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)
Papy Djilobodji (Sunderland - 2018)
This lad seriously didn't fancy playing in League One.
Former Chelsea defender Djilobodji cost Sunderland £8m pounds when they signed him from Stamford Bridge in 2016 while a Premier League club.
Two years later, following two straight relegations, Sunderland found themselves in the third-tier of English football.
It's fair to say Djilobodji wasn't exactly up for the challenge of helping the club back up the league pyramid.
The Senegalese centre-back failed to report for pre-season training at the start of the 2018-19 season. When he did show up - in September - he was in no condition to represent the club, failing a fitness test by some distance.
The club soon showed Djilobodji the door, finding him in breach of contract.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Papy Djilobodji of Sunderland reacts during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Everton at Stadium of Light on September 12, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Didier Ndong (Sunderland - 2018)
In fairness to Djilobodji, at least he had the decency to briefly show his face at the Stadium of Light.
The same can't be said for Gabonese midfielder Ndong.
The £13.6m player - who remains Sunderland's record signing to this day - went AWOL at the start of the 2018/19 season, with nobody at the club having any idea where he was.
He soon met the same fate as Djilobodji - and never did offer Sunderland an explanation for his absence.
Quiz: Can you name all 30 of these 'streets won't forget' players from World Cups?
Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle - 2015)
There has to be something in the water up in the North East.
At one point during his Newcastle career, Ben Arfa was one of the most electric players in the entire Premier League.
Those heady 2012 days were well behind the French playmaker by the time the 2014/15 season rolled around.
Fitness issues and concerns over the player's attitude led to him being loaned out to Hull.
However, during that loan spell, Ben Arfa went missing and Hull boss Steve Bruce was forced to admit to the press that he had 'no idea where the player was.
The Magpies eventually located Ben Arfa, serving him his termination papers with six months still left on his deal.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Hatem Ben Arfa of Newcastle United watches on during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James' Park on November 02, 2013 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Dennis Wise (Leicester - 2002)
Chelsea legend Wise departed Stamford Bridge in 2001 and joined up with Leicester City.
He would make only 17 appearances for the Foxes before being sacked after breaking both the nose and jaw of team-mate Callum Davidson during a 2002 pre-season tour.
25 June 2001: Dennis Wise of Leicester City after the press conference called to anounce his transfer, pictured at the Filbert St ground, Leicester, England. +DIGITAL IMAGE+. Mandatory Credit: Ross Kinnaird/ALLSPORT
Emmanuel Eboue (Sunderland - 2016)
We're back with the Black Cats!
This time, it's former Arsenal defender Eboue that was given his marching orders.
The player lasted just 22 days on Wearside - after the club became aware he had actually been banned by FIFA for a year over his failure to pay a former agent.
With Eboue unable to represent the club for the entire duration of his short-term deal, Sunderland exercised their right to rip up his contract.
Eboue never played another game as a professional.
NELSPRUIT, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 25: Dejected Emmanuel Eboue of the Ivory Coast after victory in the game but elimination from the tournament during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group G match between North Korea and Ivory Coast at the Mbombela Stadium on June 25, 2010 in Nelspruit, South Africa. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Mark Bosnich (Chelsea - 2003)
The former Aston Villa and Man United shot-stopper was sacked by Chelsea after failing a drug test for cocaine. The Australian international had made just seven appearances for the club at the time.
Bosnich appealed his ban from football on the basis that his drink had been spiked on a night out but this was unsuccessful - as was his attempt to sue the Blues for unfair dismissal.
9 Aug 2001: Mark Bosnich of Chelsea in action during the pre-season friendly between Vicenza and Chelsea in Vicenza, Italy. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Grazia Neri/ALLSPORT
Adrian Mutu (Chelsea - 2004)
Cocaine would be the catalyst for another Chelsea sacking just a year later.
One of Roman Abramovich's big-money buys during his early days as owner of Chelsea, the club spent big to bring Romanian striker Mutu to west London.
After making an encouraging start in his debut season, Mutu failed a drug test for cocaine in September 2004.
He was banned for seven months by the FA, at which point Chelsea sacked him.
The club successfully sued Mutu for £15.2m following his actions. Unsurprisingly, they've reportedly yet to receive the money.
Adrian Mutu celebrates Chelsea goal
Nicolas Anelka (West Brom - 2014)
The French striker was sacked for gross misconduct in March 2014 following his refusal to meet a set of conditions imposed after he was found guilty of making an offensive gesture during a match against West Ham in December 2013.
The club had demanded both an apology from Anelka and that he accept a substantial fine.
Willing to comply with neither, Anelka infamously announced his own departure from the club on Twitter, before West Brom themselves issued him with notice that his contract would be terminated.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Nicolas Anelka of West Brom scores their second goal past Jussi Jaaskelainen of West Ham during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at Boleyn Ground on December 28, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Dani Osvaldo (Southampton)
A £15m signing from Roma in 2013, Argentine striker Osvaldo started well for the Saints, but simply couldn't maintain his discipline.
First, he racked up a fine and a three-game ban for his part in a touchline fracas against Newcastle. Then, barely two weeks later, he was back in hot water after having a training ground scrap with Jose Fonte.
READ MORE: Dani Osvaldo: What happened to the former Southampton and Italy striker?
As talented as Osvaldo was, Southampton decided they simply didn't want the hassle of dealing with such a loose cannon.
The player was quickly shipped out on loan to Juventus, before then playing a season at Inter Milan.
Upon his return to St. Mary's, Southampton terminated Osvaldo's contract.
He would retire a year later, aged just 30.
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Daniel Osvaldo of Southampton passes the ball as Sebastian Larsson of Sunderland closes in during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Sunderland at St Mary's Stadium on August 24, 2013 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)