Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to turn the page on a more than disappointing World Cup exit with Portugal and is preparing his future in one of the places he can truly call home.
Meanwhile the whole Ronaldo camp prepares the Portuguese’s next move, the 37-year-old free agent decided — with the permission of Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez — to train inside Real Madrid city Valdebebas on his days off prior to deciding his future this winter.
His son was also with him.
Cristiano Ronaldo has trained at Real Madrid sporting center Valdebebas in the last hours — on a separated pitch ⚪️ #Ronaldo
As revealed by @relevo/@hugocerezo, Cristiano’s just working there to keep his form thanks to great relationship with the club, waiting for new chapter. pic.twitter.com/mrbFneIPkt— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 14, 2022
Ronaldo maintains a good relationship with Real Madrid and Pérez, being told that the club is his home and will always be able to train with the facilities guaranteed as he pleases.
| Florentino Perez told Cristiano Ronaldo that Real Madrid is his home & he can train there whenever with all facilities guaranteed. @diarioas #rmalive
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) December 14, 2022
Florentino Perez shares a good relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2019 he said: “Cristiano has never created a problem in Madrid. He has been an example and I will remember him as the best player we have signed. I have always had a perfect relationship with him.” @relevo
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) December 14, 2022
Things you love to hear.
However, although the two have a very cordial relationship, the likeliness of seeing the No. 7 back with the club is minuscule, if not practically and unfortunately impossible.
We all would love to see Cristiano Ronaldo play with Real Madrid one more time before he retires. To link up back with players like Luka Modrić, Toni Kroos, Karim Benzema and manager Carlo Ancelotti in a very likely trophy-winning squad this season would be great.
We would see Ronaldo take a back-up role behind Benzema and as a natural replacement for the Frenchman when he’s rested or injured – a type of player Real Madrid has been in dire need of.
There would be no reason for Ronaldo not to lower his salary (one of the main downsides of his signing) and take on a substitute role for one last stint with the Galacticos. These two topics aren't the dealbreakers as to why Madrid wouldn’t be looking at the Portuguese as a new signing.
Real Madrid, who clearly lack squad depth in the attacking front (especially when injuries start to pile up), reportedly believe they have the striker and attacking position covered with Vinicius Jr. and Benzema and are not willing to bring back an aging Ronaldo to the Santiago Bernabéu.
| Cristiano Ronaldo would love to return to Real Madrid and would even do so on a ‘minimal’ salary. But, Real Madrid highlight they have Vinicius and Benzema whilst Cristiano’s age being the main reason it won’t happen. @GoalItalia
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) December 14, 2022
Again, a return to La Casa Blanca would be worthy of a fairy tale story ending for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, but as of now, it’s still very unlikely.
Ronaldo will be deciding his future soon with a huge $500 million contract offer from Saudi Arabian side still on the table.