Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim says his side dream of a Cristiano Ronaldo homecoming, although admits it would be difficult to complete a deal due to his high demands.
Speaking to reporters in a pre-match press conference ahead of his side’s Champions League clash against Tottenham, Ruben Amorim revealed that he is interested in a move for Ronaldo – but the 37-year-old would need to take a significant pay cut.
“Ronaldo is a top player, a Manchester United player,” Amorim said, as per Goal. “I’m going to respond the same way as a lot of journalists in Portugal ask me that question a lot. He is a Manchester United player.
“Everybody in Sporting dreams of the return of Cristiano, but we don’t have the money to pay his wages. I think he is happy in Manchester but is not playing so that is the problem.”
Unless Ronaldo is willing to move to the United States or Middle East, he must accept that his next move will be to a club that won’t be able to pay him an elite wage package. It may take some getting used to but Ronaldo has already made his millions as an athlete.
Ronaldo started his career at Sporting in 2002/03 before leaving for Manchester United as an 18-year-old. After storming out of a recent game against Tottenham, it looks like his time at Old Trafford is coming to an end for a second time.
Sporting are in the Champions League, so it’s probably the best option Ronaldo could hope for he wants to be guaranteed regular football at a high level, even if it’s a big drop off from the Premier League.