´It makes no sense´ - Ronaldo rules out potential Sporting return

Cristiano Ronaldo ruled out a potential return to Sporting CP, saying “it makes no sense” to rejoin his boyhood club.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who celebrated his 40th birthday on Wednesday, began his glittering career with Sporting in 2002, before joining Manchester United the following year.

Ronaldo went on to win seven domestic titles, five Champions Leagues and four Club World Cups across his spells with the Red Devils, Real Madrid and Juventus, while also captaining Portugal to Euro 2016 glory.

Following his short-lived return to Old Trafford, the forward joined Al-Nassr in 2023 and has since scored 81 goals and provided 19 assists in 89 appearances for the Saudi Pro League outfit.

Ronaldo’s contract expires at the end of the season, in which he has netted 23 times, though he has reportedly agreed a one-year extension with Stefano Pioli’s side.

Either way, he insists a second spell with Sporting is definitely not on the cards.

“No, never, I think it makes no sense,” he said in an interview shared via The Nassr Zone on X.

“My career started in Portugal, and it’s not because I don’t like Portuguese football, or don’t think it has quality. But I think everything has a time and a limit, and I never thought about that honestly.”

Ronaldo is back in action on Friday when Al-Nassr host Al Fayha at Al-Awwal Park.

Pioli’s men are third in the Saudi Pro League after 18 matches, eight points behind leaders Al-Hilal.