Sporting boss Amorim is angry over Ronaldo’s move. In response to fresh inquiries about a potential transfer for Cristiano Ronaldo, Sporting manager Ruben Amorim exploded: “I’ve been asked 500 times!” The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who started his professional playing career in Lisbon, is now a free agent after Manchester United, one of the top teams in the Premier League, dismissed him. The storied 37-year-old has been linked to a return to his roots amid rumors that he is also considering possibilities in England and Saudi Arabia, but Sporting is becoming weary of the rumors, which Ronaldo has never been asked to address.
After Sporting’s Taca de Liga quarterfinal victory against Braga on Monday, Amorim fired back when asked about Ronaldo, saying: “Ronaldo was in Qatar, they had the opportunity to ask him, and they didn’t. More than 500 people have asked me, and I’ve already responded.” In response to the constant Ronaldo rumors, the 37-year-old strategist stated in October that “Everyone at Sporting hopes for Cristiano’s return but we don’t have the money to pay his salaries.”
Federico Varandas, the president of Sporting, had said: “Ruben Amorim vetoed the return? Not. It was never brought up or even put on the table. Never did Hugo Viana, Amorim, or I have a dialogue. This subject was unheard of. I’m aware that it has strong press sales. Hugo Viana, the sporting director, has stated that Ronaldo is free to choose his next destination. However, you can never predict the future, so let’s wait and see what he decides.
Ronaldo has had a difficult 2022–23 season, starting with a minor role at United, an explosive interview that caused him to leave Old Trafford, additional bench duty, and doubts about his contribution to Portugal’s World Cup campaign in Qatar.
For more football news and the latest updates, keep your eye on this space.