Cristiano Ronaldo ‘Open’ To Real Madrid Return Amid Juventus Struggles
Cristiano Ronaldo believes his time with Juventus has come to an end and would leap at the opportunity to return to Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain.
Ronaldo left Los Blancos for Juve in a £99million transfer in 2018 and has scored an extraordinary 95 goals in 123 appearances for the Turin giants.
The Portuguese superstar has also won back-to-back Serie A titles in that time, but the Champions League trophy continues to evade him.
Juventus suffered a shock last-16 exit from the competition earlier this month at the hands of Porto, plunging Ronaldo’s future with the club into uncertainty.
The 36-year-old knows he is running out of time to win a sixth Champions League and has come to the realisation he cannot fulfil his goals with Juve.
That’s according to Marca , which adds Ronaldo would favour a move back to Real Madrid – where he scored 450 goals across nine seasons – if they were to come calling for him this summer.
By that time, he will have one year remaining on his contract.
Los Blancos captain Sergio Ramos and manager Zinedine Zidane have only escalated speculation of a sensational Ronaldo return in recent weeks.
“I wouldn’t have let him go because he’s one of the best players in the world and he would have brought us closer to winning,” said Ramos. “Cris lost and Real Madrid lost. He’s a decisive player who helped us to win.”
Meanwhile, Zidane declared: “His return could happen.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Ronaldo has been his usual jovial self since arriving on international duty, according to Portugal boss Fernando Santos.
“When Cristiano is with the national team, he always comes with the same vision, the same passion, the same will, the same joy,” said Santos.
“He always gives 100 per cent when he comes to the national team. I don’t think he has any problem in terms of mentality at the moment.”