Manchester United star player, Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted about returning to his hood club Sporting Lisbon, two decades after his exit from the Portuguese side.
Ronaldo left the club in 2003. The football club is celebrating its 20th anniversary and Ronaldo whom the Academy has been named after expressed his desire to be with them soon.
In a congratulatory video posted on the club’s official Twitter page on Tuesday, Ronaldo hailed Sporting Lisbon for its achievements over the years.
Sporting Lisbon renamed their Academy after Ronaldo in September 2020, honouring the former Juventus and Real Madrid star for his legacy.
“Congratulations on the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Academy, for all the goals you have achieved, and for all the success you have achieved. It is a great honour to have the Academy bear my name, and I hope to see you soon,” said Ronaldo in a video posted on Twitter by the club.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had joined Sporting Lisbon’s Academy at the tender age of 12. Ronaldo made his first-team debut for the club five years later in October 2002 against Braga.
The Portugal captain, however, left Sporting in August 2003 to join Manchester United for £12.24 million.
