Ronaldo return an impossible ‘dream’ for Sporting, says Amorim

Bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to Sporting CP remains the club’s “dream”, according to head coach Ruben Amorim, though he acknowledges the striker’s wage demands make such a move impossible. 

Ronaldo reportedly asked to leave Manchester United following their failure to secure Champions League qualification last season, and Sporting – the club at which he began his career – were touted as a potential destination.

After struggling for minutes following his failure to secure a transfer, Ronaldo reportedly refused to come on as a substitute during United’s win over Tottenham last week, leading Erik ten Hag to temporarily banish him from first-team training.

That incident has led to renewed speculation about Ronaldo’s future at Old Trafford, but financial concerns will prevent his former side from taking him back. 

“Ronaldo is a top player, a Manchester United player,” Amorim said at a news conference ahead of Sporting’s Champions League trip to Tottenham.

“I’m going to respond the same way, as a lot of journalists in Portugal ask me that question. He’s a Manchester United player.

“At Sporting, everyone dreams of Cristiano’s return, but we don’t have the money to pay him his salary. I think he’s happy in Manchester, but he doesn’t play, that’s the problem.”

With Ronaldo returning to first-team training with United on Tuesday, Amorim was unwilling to pass judgement on Ten Hag’s decision to sanction the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“I have my problems with Sporting players,” he added. “It’s a problem with Ten Hag, I’m happy with my players. I just want to beat Tottenham.”