Ronaldo offered Real Madrid return by Perez - but there's a catch

Cameron Smith

• 14 May 2023 10:30 BST
• 3 min read

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has offered Cristiano Ronaldo the chance to return to the club if he decides to leave Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.

Ronaldo, 37, moved to the Middle East after his contract was terminated by Manchester United following a controversial interview with Piers Morgan before the 2022 World Cup.

The Portuguese international had been dropped from the starting XI by new manager Erik ten Hag and it wasn’t long before Ronaldo was on his way out.

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr: Goals, assists, results & fixtures

However, he could be set to move clubs yet again if he opts to accept Perez’s offer of a dream return to the Santiago Bernabeu. Ronaldo netted 450 goals in just 438 appearances during his time at Los Blancos, winning 16 trophies in the process.

But, Perez’s desire for Ronaldo to return to the club isn’t fuelled by his ability on the pitch, and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner may not be happy with the offer.

READ: Ronaldo v Messi: How their stats, goals & assists compare in 2022/23

Ronaldo to return to Real Madrid?

While Perez is reportedly ready to welcome Ronaldo back to the club with welcome arms, the offer is not for a playing role. Perez would like Ronaldo to return, but he will not offer the former Man Utd star the chance to play for Real Madrid again.

According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid would like Ronaldo to return as an ambassador for the club or to move into a coaching role at the club, as the likes of Raul, Alvaro Arbeloa, Guti and Xabi Alonso have done previously.

The Real Madrid youth teams have been blessed with former stars starting their coaching careers in the lower age groups, and that is an option for Ronaldo once he retires from playing.

It remains to be seen how long Ronaldo will stay at Al Nassr, with reports suggesting that he could leave the club soon. His wife, Georgina Rodriguez, is said to be keen on returning to Madrid, where the pair met, which could see Ronaldo re-join Real Madrid in some capacity.