Impossible dreams of Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation in Manchester seems difficult to unblock, with each passing day the Portuguese’s relationship with the club and with Erik Ten Hag seems to grow more tense. The most feasible route would be an exit in the January transfer market, which comes on the back of the World Cup in Qatar.

Portugal return unlikely for Ronaldo

All through the summer Cristiano was associated with countless clubs, from a possible move to the MLS to a return to Italy’s top flight, as well as the romantic idea of him returning to the country and club that saw him born as a professional footballer, Sporting Club in Lisbon. In recent days, reports in England have suggested that the most viable destinations at the moment would be a move to Stamford Bridge or a change of Serie A scenery in Naples, where Maradona became a legend.

Portugal, however, and rejoining the club where he took his first steps comes with the advantage that Sporting is still alive in the Champions League, an important factor for Cristiano. But Rúben Amorim, coach of the Lions, in the run-up to the Champions League match against Tottenham, brought any dreamers back to the ground.

“I will respond in the same way because many journalists ask me same question. Cristiano is a Manchester United player.

“Everyone at Sporting dreams of Cristiano’s return, but we don’t have the money to pay his salary. I think he’s happy in Manchester, but he’s not playing, so that’s the problem.”

Would Cristiano, already rich beyond his own dreams, put money aside and make the move back to his homeland?