At 40 years previous, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to shine on the sphere and stays a key determine for each membership and nation. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 forward, he isn’t fascinated with retirement simply but—however one in all his former teammates has provided a suggestion for a way he ought to end his legendary profession.
“It might be unimaginable to see him end his profession at Sporting. It might be the most effective, a ravishing story for everybody,” stated Ricardo Sa Pinto in a current interview with Radio Marca. “The Sporting followers deserve it. And so does he.”
Sa Pinto speaks from expertise, having spent a few years as a participant at Sporting CP. His first stint with the Portuguese facet was from 1994 to 1997, adopted by a second from 2000 to 2006, earlier than retiring in 2007. The ahead scored 34 objectives in 174 matches for the membership.
“I wore the quantity 7 for Sporting, however then it virtually grew to become an unfortunate quantity. I want he would come again, even when it’s with a special quantity,” added Sa Pinto, who was Ronaldo’s teammate in the course of the ahead’s solely season on the membership—2002–03—earlier than his switch to Manchester United.
Former Sporting CP participant Ricardo Sa Pinto.
“Whenever you love soccer like Cristiano, you understand there are tales that solely occur as soon as. It might be a ravishing story, a really stunning one,” stated the previous Portuguese participant. “The essential factor is that he comes again. Ending at Sporting can be implausible for everybody.”
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What has Ronaldo stated a few potential return to Sporting?
Cristiano Ronaldo started his skilled profession with Sporting CP in 2002. That yr, he made his debut at simply 17 years previous and rapidly grew to become a key participant, showing in 31 matches and scoring 5 objectives in his rookie season.
Regardless of that robust connection to the membership—and overtly declaring himself a fan—Ronaldo has made it clear that his future lies elsewhere. “I like watching Sporting’s matches, it’s my staff, however I’ve no intention of enjoying there once more,” he stated in an interview with Portugal’s Canal 11 earlier this yr.
“I don’t assume it is sensible to return to the membership. My time in Portugal was just the start—not as a result of I don’t like soccer there or assume it’s dangerous, however every little thing has its personal time,” Ronaldo added, firmly shutting down hypothesis of a return.
Ronaldo discusses retirement
Questions on retirement have adopted Cristiano Ronaldo for a while. His transfer away from European soccer to hitch Al Nassr within the Saudi Professional League was seen by many as a tacit admission that the height of his profession was behind him, and that the ultimate chapter had begun.
Nevertheless, CR7’s performances with Al Nassr—and the impression he continues to have with Portugal—strongly problem that narrative. And Ronaldo himself has made his stance clear. “I really feel like I can nonetheless deliver good issues to my staff and my nationwide staff. So why cease? I do know I don’t have a few years left, however I’m making an attempt to benefit from the few I do have as a lot as potential,” he informed Canal 11 in that very same interview.
