Manchester United icon Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted he could join rivals Manchester City and help them out with their ‘difficult times’, in what would be an astonishing transfer.
Ronaldo first joined Man Utd from Sporting CP in August 2003. He went on to establish himself as one of the best players in the world while at Old Trafford, winning the Ballon d’Or in 2008 before joining Real Madrid in a record-breaking transfer the following year.
After brilliant spells in Madrid and Juventus, Ronaldo returned to United in August 2021. The striker scored 24 goals in 39 games in his first season in United, went beyond the most productive and played in a team in difficulty.
However, Ronaldo briefly left United in November 2022 after falling out with manager at the time, Erik Ten Hag, who had to manage him.
The Portuguese legend is now on display at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. At the recent Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, Ronaldo was crowned the most sensible goalscorer and the most productive player of all time in the Middle East.
At the ceremony, Ronaldo asked about the struggles of his former opponents, Man City. He answered (through the men): “Teams have moments. Difficult times, smart times. . .
“City are passing through a difficult moment but I’m 100 per cent sure they will be back.
“I think the big teams, the big players, they are smart enough to understand what is the problem, where is the problem.
“I’m sure 100 percent they will be back. [Pep] Guardiola is a very smart coach. He knows where the problem is coming from. They will be there like always.”
When asked about a possible sensational transfer to City with Guardiola, Ronaldo refused to rule out anything.
“You know what’s going to happen,” he said, smiling.
It would be a big shock if Ronaldo returned to the Premier League to play for City, given he is 39 years old and the fact Guardiola can already use Erling Haaland up front.
Such a measure would tarnish Ronaldo’s reputation among United fans.
The supreme goalscorer was actually close to joining City from Juve in 2021 before Sir Alex Ferguson intervened and convince him to return to United.
Ronaldo has also made headlines by claiming that the Saudi Pro League is better than the French top flight.
Meanwhile, The Times claims City are interested in two high-class stars as they prepare for life after Kevin de Bruyne.
Citizens would love to recruit one of the two Germans Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.
And that’s even if the pair is valued at more than £100 million each.
Lille’s Jonathan David is another forward City are tracking ahead of a potential move.
The reports claim that City had planned to pass after it this summer, but they have established such plans.
The City has met the Canadian center as a substitute for Julián Álvarez, who sold Atlético de Madrid during the summer.