When a footballer scores goals, wins trophies and brings great joy, there is usually no doubt about just how iconic that player is for fans.
But, when you give an explosive interview berating your club - as Cristiano Ronaldo has done - that legacy can be called into question.
Its now been confirmed the strikerwill leaveManchester United with immediate effect.
But what has the whole affair done for Ronaldos status in the eyes of fans?
In his interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV,he said the club betrayed him, and that he had no respect for current manager Erik Ten Hag
Lifelong United fan Natalie Burrell says the decision for Ronaldo to leave is definitely right.
Hes up there with the greats, scoring so many goals and winning trophies.
But she says its hard to talk about his legacy as a legend so soon after his interview and departure.
I think its going to be prolonged and take a while for people to forgive him.
In his statement, Ronaldo stated that he still loved the fans.
That will never ever change. However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new challenge.
Natalie says that line about the fans was important.
He left it OK by saying what he did about the fans, but its going to take a while for acceptance to come.
Its fair to say the season has been choppy for Ronaldo at Manchester United.
He was reportedly angling for a summer transfer and was dropped from the squad afterrefusing to come on as a substitutewhen United took on Tottenham last month.
But those choppy waters turned into full on stormy seas when clips from his sit down interview with Piers Morgan were shared online.
Ronaldo told Piers he had no respect for current manager Erik Ten Hag and criticised former teammates and Manchester United legends Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville,not to mention the clubs owners.
The Glazer family bought Manchester United in 2005 and Ronaldo said they do not care about the club.
This isnt out of step with what fans have been saying for a number of years and there haveeven been protests against their ownership.
Now, Manchester Uniteds owners say they areconsidering selling the clubas they explore strategic alternatives.
Piers Morgan says player happy with interview
Twitter in meltdown over Ronaldo interview
I was close to joining Man City - Ronaldo
Natalie is happy to hear the Glazer family could leave.
Its what weve wanted and why weve been protesting since they joined.
She says even when the club were winning trophies, the green and gold scarfs were out - referring to the symbol for protests.
We need real owners who are going to invest in the stadium and facilities.
United fans such as Morgan Lewis and Harry OConnor agree with Ronaldos comments about the owners.
Some of the stuff he said about the owners and the executives, you can understand it, says 22-year-old Harry.
But he feels the moment Ronaldo said he had no respect for Ten Hag was the moment he lost support.
You cant dig out the manager like that, adds Morgan, 24. No ones bigger than the club.
Former Man City defender Nedum Onuoha told BBC Newsbeat that players will still look up to Ronaldos achievements in the dressing room.
Individually theyll still look at his highlights, theyll see the hundreds of goals that he scored, and the things that hes won, and still strive to have as successful a career as hes had.
Certain bits, in terms of how hes conducting himself now, they wont like, but 99.9% of footballers know that they couldnt even think about doing this anyway.
With the World Cup underway in Qatar, Ronaldo is currently preparing to play for Portugal.
There was always that fantasy with Manchester United fans of wanting Ronaldo to come back, says Harry. It was nearly 10 years in the making.
For the striker to speak out against the club after such a long relationship, Harry thinks it will be hard for fans to forgive and forget.
However, time is a healer, he says, and Morgan agrees.
Right now, I think his legacy is done, I think hes completely ruined it, Morgan says. Its very raw right now.
But if you asked me in three or four years time, I might say something different.
An earlier version of this article was published on 17 November.
Follow Newsbeat onTwitterandYouTube.
Listen to Newsbeatliveat 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen backhere.
Ronaldo to leave Man Utd with immediate effect
Man Utd owners the Glazers consider selling club
Ronaldo happy after interview, says Piers Morgan
Ronaldo always happy with Portugal - Joao Mario
Glazers dont care about Man Utd, says Ronaldo
Twitter in meltdown over Ronaldo interview
Ronaldo says he feels betrayed by Man Utd
Ronaldo returns to Man Utd group training
Ronaldo refused to come on as substitute - Ten Hag
Cristiano Ronaldos behaviour unacceptable - Micah Richards
Alec Baldwin to be charged for fatal Rust shooting
Ardern quits as NZ leader citing burnout
Key moments from Jacinda Arderns time as NZ PM. VideoKey moments from Jacinda Arderns time as NZ PM
Nepal air crash: Who were the victims?
How a baffling census delay is hurting Indians
Sense of injustice lingers after Seoul Halloween crush
Power shift in Vietnam as president quits
Will the UK warm to Finlands naked sauna diplomacy?
The Indian whose US strip club empire ended with a murder
All aboard the Alaska pup bus... VideoAll aboard the Alaska pup bus...
What happened in the Ukraine helicopter crash?
Who was Ukrainian minister Denys Monastyrsky?
Britains lost and legendary Area 51
The axed workers posting epic goodbyes
The skiers dedicated to alpine warfare
Alec Baldwin to be charged for fatal Rust shooting
Uproar in Serbia over Wagner recruiting for Russia
Rock legend David Crosby dies aged 81
Sometimes its better to step back, then crush the enemy
Netflix boss steps down as subscribers on the rise
Countries pledge heavy weapons for Ukraine
Car of missing British actor found in California
Police look into Sunaks failure to wear seat belt
Bolt has lost 10.2m to fraud - lawyer
Incredible Murray wins Australian Open epic at 4am
© 2023 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Read about our approach to external linking.