Former club tell Cristiano Ronaldo the door is open for return

Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim says the Portuguese club will keep the door open for Cristiano Ronaldo should he want to re-join them.

Ronaldo will be looking for a new club in January after an explosive and very public falling out with Manchester United and boss Erik ten Hag.

He said he 'felt betrayed’ by the club since arriving in the summer of 2021 and has ‘no respect’ for Ten Hag.

Ronaldo started his career at Sporting and it has long been speculated that he’d like to finish his career at the club too.

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Whether that time is now or not remains unknown, but Amorim seems happy to provide the option at least.

"I've been asked this question a thousand times,” Amorim told the press in Portugal when asked if the door was open for Ronaldo to return to his first club. “Ronaldo is a Manchester United player.

“Everyone at Sporting likes him, there's not much more to say. He himself says he wants to be left in peace to decide his future. I won't be here telling you how things are for me.”

Ronaldo made Sporting history during his spell at the club, as he became the first player to play for the club's under-16s, under-17s, under-18s, B team and first team all in the same season.

He ended up playing 31 times for the Primeira Liga side before being sold to Man Utd for around £12million in 2003.