Cristiano Ronaldo's mother makes Sporting promise
Suraj Radia
- 29 Sept 2022 17:24 BST
- 3 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo's mother has revealed her wish for her son to return to Sporting Lisbon and believes that 'one of her children' will eventually join the Portuguese side soon.
Ronaldo reportedly considered joining Sporting this summer after informing Manchester United of his intention to leave the club in search of Champions League football.
However, a move failed to materialise, with a number of clubs failing to register more than tentative interest in the veteran and Ronaldo ended up staying at Old Trafford.
The 37-year-old is in the final year of his contract, although there is an option to extend, but his mother, Dolores Aveiro, has admitted that a Ronaldo will eventually join Sporting, although it could end up being his son Cristiano Junior.
Speaking to Portuguese outlet Nova Genta, Aveiro said: “I already told him: ‘Son, before I die I want to see you playing for Sporting again. It didn’t happen this year but perhaps it will next year.
"But if it’s not him it will be Cristianinho. At his age he plays better than his father. When he was 12 Cristiano didn’t have a trainer but today he’s his son’s teacher.
“He’s already said, ‘Dad when we go to live in Lisbon I want to play for Sporting. Seeing the two of them playing together at the club would be my dream.”
“If the wishes of a mother and grandmother are fulfilled, then one of her children will be joining Sporting very soon.”
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Could Ronaldo return to Sporting Lisbon?
Ronaldo has endured a difficult start to the new campaign and has found himself on the bench for five of United's six Premier League games while his side have been on a four-match winning streak.
The forward is still building up match fitness after missing the majority of pre-season due to personal issues and he appears to have accepted his fate following the lack of interest in him during the summer.
Manager Erik ten Hag has insisted Ronaldo is still part of his plans but there is a belief that the club would be open to selling him in January in order to raise funds and get his salary off the books.
Hollywood actor John Cena talking about Cristiano Ronaldo. pic.twitter.com/WpZkMajJt8
— Frank Khalid (@FrankKhalidUK) September 29, 2022
However, while Ronaldo has admitted he would be interested in returning to Lisbon before he retires, it is unlikely that Sporting would be able to afford his wages or meet United's asking price.
Although, the Portuguese outfit have won their opening two Champions League group stage games, putting them in a good position to qualify for the knockout phases and perhaps tempting Ronaldo to consider lowering his demands in order to secure a mid-season move.
A decision on Ronaldo's future will likely not be made until after the World Cup and it could depend on whether he has found himself back in United's line-up as well as their standing in the Premier League.
