Cristiano Ronaldo back at Sporting without No.7? Portuguese GOAT urged to complete 'beautiful story' by heading home before retirement

The Portuguese GOAT is not in a position to tread that path just yet, with a new two-year contract being signed at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. That deal will take him beyond his 42nd birthday. Questions are being asked of how much longer CR7 can realistically continue.

He has kept himself in peak condition down the years, allowing a thrilling battle for global supremacy to be enjoyed with eternal rival Lionel Messi. Both men are still going strong and could cross paths again at the 2026 World Cup as they prepare to grace another major tournament.

Ronaldo has achieved just about everything it is possible to, outside of capturing a global crown with Portugal, and is now setting more personal targets such as reaching 1,000 career goals. He may be tempted to head back to Sporting for one last hurrah in his homeland.

Former team-mate Ricardo Sa Pinto hopes that will be the case, with the legendary former forward telling Radio Marca: "It would be incredible to see him finish his career at Sporting. It would be the best, a beautiful story for everyone. When you love football like Cristiano, you know there are stories that only happen once. It would be a beautiful story, a very beautiful one. The Sporting fans deserve it. And so does he."

Sa Pinto added on Ronaldo potentially returning to familiar surroundings without an iconic number on his back: "I wore the number 7 for Sporting, but then it almost became an unlucky number. I wish he would come back, even if it's with a different number. The important thing is that he comes back. Finishing at Sporting would be fantastic for everyone."

Sa Pinto went on to say of CR7 and his relentless drive to be the best: "He's a phenomenon. Cristiano is the best player in the history of Portugal and one of the best ever in the world. The passion he had then is the same as today. He's still hungry, he still wants to break records, and now he knows how to manage his body and his effort better. It's impressive."

Sporting have previously left the door open for a prodigal son to come home. Club president Frederico Varandas said in 2021 when asked about the chances of signing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner: "I think he will play here one day. Obviously his return here depends on him: in addition to being a great player, Cristiano is a great fan of Sporting."

Ronaldo has also been urged by his mother, Dolores Aveiro, to sport a famous jersey in Lisbon again before the day comes for boots to be hung up for the final time. She has said: "Ronaldo has to come back here [to Sporting], for me, he’d be here. He likes to watch Sporting’s games. I’ve already told him: ‘Son, before I die I want to see you return to Sporting’. ‘Let’s see’, he said."

Ronaldo has never been the type to back down from a challenge and would likely welcome the opportunity to represent Sporting again, having managed just 31 competitive appearances for them before Manchester United came calling in 2003.

He left as a tricky winger, with end product rarely in his thoughts, but would return as arguably the greatest goalscorer that the world has ever seen. Finances would inevitably play some part in a deal driven by emotion, with it yet to be determined what Ronaldo will do when ending his Middle Eastern adventure at Al-Nassr.