Ronaldo could return to boyhood club Sporting, confirms director of football

SPORTING LISBON director of football Hugo Viana has refused to rule out Cristiano Ronaldo returning to the club.

Ronaldo started his career at Sporting and played 25 league games before securing a move to Manchester United.

The forward then went on to score 810 goals for United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Portugal.

He also won 32 trophies and picked up five Ballon d'Ors.

But his 2021 return to United, despite netting 24 goals across all competitions, hasn't exactly gone to plan with the Red Devils finishing outside of the top four.

Erik ten Hag will take charge for the upcoming season and Ronaldo's future at Old Trafford isn't guaranteed.

And as SunSport reported last week, Sporting have sounded Ronaldo out over a move back to his boyhood club.

Sporting director Viana refused to rule out Ronaldo playing in green and white again.

Former team-mate Viana says the decision is solely Ronaldo's.

He told Sky Sports on a possible summer move: "Not now, I don't think that will be possible.

"But we never know. He can decide where he can go. But you never know the future.

"I don't want to talk a lot about that because when we speak about Cristiano it is quite different.

"I think he has one more year on his contract, so whatever he decides, let's see."