06 May 2023 , 11:34
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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez previously insisted Cristiano Ronaldo would return to Real Madrid one day, despite scoffing at the idea of a move in 2022.
Ronaldo left the Bernabeu in 2018, joining Juventus in a club record deal, and spent three years in Turin before returning to former club Manchester United. A second spell in Madrid was also mooted last year, as Ronaldo prepared to leave Old Trafford, only for Los Blancos to pass on a move.
The veteran is now at Al-Nassr, signing a big-money deal with the Saudi club. He has been urged to return to Europe, though, bringing Perez's past comments into focus.
"Cristiano has remained at the heart of all Madridistas," Perez told El Chiringuito in 2018 (via The Sun ). "If I saw him today I'd give him a big hug, he's the worthy heir to Alfredo Di Stefano.
"One day he'll return to Real Madrid," the president added. Four years on, though his stance appeared to be different.
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Perez laughed at the idea of a fresh bid for Ronaldo in the summer of 2018. "Cristiano? Again? At 38?" he said.
Madrid reportedly ignored multiple calls from Jorge Mendes, then representing Ronaldo, in 2022. Ultimately, despite claiming to have had offers from Europe, the veteran opted to join Al-Nassr.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo return to Europe? Have your say in the comments section
Cristiano Ronaldo won a number of trophies during his Real Madrid spell (Getty Images)"I won everything, I played at the most important clubs and for me now it is a new challenge in Asia," Ronaldo said upon joining Al-Nassr. "I'm a unique player, I beat all the records there [Europe], so I want to beat a few here. This contract is unique, because I'm unique, so this is normal.”
Ronaldo has scored freely in the Saudi Pro League, finding the net 12 times as Al-Nassr challenge league leaders Al-Ittihad for the title. However, former Barcelona star Rivaldo has encouraged the forward to return to Madrid amid claims he was "tricked" into his big-money switch.
"I understand that sometimes the players are tricked by the big contract they sign in Saudi Arabia," Rivaldo is quoted as saying by Diario AS. “But then life there is further away and your football may not always be as easy as expected.
“So, he may be going through a phase of some disappointment and even reflection. So maybe the money he is receiving makes up for the not so happy life he is living at the moment.
"It would be good for him and for football to see Cristiano Ronaldo return to Real Madrid to finish his career. Of course, the fans have to understand that they cannot demand the same from him as he did when he was 25 or 26 years old, but he can still help the club in more achievements.”