Cristiano Ronaldo told stunning Real Madrid return is 'impossible' amid Al-Nassr exit talk - but Portuguese GOAT could head back to his roots at Sporting

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has seen his future become the subject of intense speculation - not for the first time in his remarkable career. It is being suggested that the evergreen 40-year-old frontman is ready to sever ties with Al-Nassr.

Ronaldo has been working on a record-breaking contract in the Saudi Pro League since 2023. Major silverware has, however, proved hard to come by during his time in Riyadh, and the all-time great continues to head towards free agency.

Various landing spots for Ronaldo have been speculated on. He could head back to where it all began for him in Lisbon, bringing a stunning sporting story full circle, with it considered unlikely that one of his other former clubs - where he remains the all-time leading goal-scorer - would be interested in doing a deal.

Ex-Los Blancos striker Fernando Morientes has told CasinoHawks of what the immediate future holds for CR7: “As a footballer, we Real Madrid fans enjoyed Cristiano's best years at the Bernabeu. The impact he's had on modern football has been incredible.

“As you get older, obviously not just him, but everyone, expectations and ambitions change and you have to lower your standards a bit. I think when a player of that age joins the Saudi Pro League, it's to finish his professional footballing career and begin retirement.

“I don't know if he has any special motivation to wear a shirt; for example, Sporting Lisbon's was where he started. Obviously, Real Madrid's is almost impossible now.

“I like to see him where I see him, and I'd like him to retire wherever he wants to. I really like those players who start out with one team and end up retiring there. I don't know if Cristiano would have that motivation to do so at Sporting.”

Ronaldo left Sporting for Manchester United in 2003, as he took his first steps towards superstardom. He went on to spend nine memorable years at Santiago Bernabeu between 2009 and 2018, registering 450 goals for Real Madrid while helping them to two La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns.