Cristiano Ronaldo: Why Sporting CP return is impossible

Robin Bairner

• 26 Oct 2022 09:51 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo will not return to Sporting CP during the January transfer window, despite the club “dreaming” of the move.

Ronaldo returned to training with Man Utd on Wednesday after being frozen out of the first team for the best part of a week after walking away during the side’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Tottenham. Not only did he walk down the tunnel, but he also marched out of the stadium having refused to come on as a replacement.

This led to him being frozen out of the team’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the weekend and asked to train with the youth team.

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Although Ronaldo is now back with Erik ten Hag’s group, the prospect of him securing a long-term stay at Manchester United looks unlikely. Talk of a January switch remains widespread, and it could simply be a case of finding the right move – if indeed there is one out there.

Ronaldo has long been considered likely to go back to Sporting CP, the club where his career began. It is a possibility that has also been talked up by his family members, most notably his mother.

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Ronaldo to Sporting not possible

But head coach Ruben Amorim says that it is not a possibility in January, despite it being a “dream” possibility for the Portuguese giants.

“Ronaldo is a Manchester United player. Everybody in Sporting dreams of the return for Cristiano but we don't have the money to pay his wages,” he said.

Should Ronaldo depart in January, Man Utd are reportedly ready to waive any transfer fee to make him more affordable for potential suitors. Even in this case, the Portugal legend is likely to have to accept a sizeable pay cut in order to make a deal happen.

His wages, though, are such that most clubs in the world would only be able to pay a fraction of what he earns, meaning that if Ronaldo is to leave Old Trafford, he will have to make a huge sacrifice.