Ronaldo’s former club unveil special ‘CR7’ third shirt: A bid to lure him back?

Robin Bairner

• 30 Nov 2024 13:00 GMT
• 3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo has been honoured by Sporting CP unveiling a third kit in his honour, with rumours swirling over the future of the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus superstar.

Ronaldo’s contract at Al-Nassr is up in the summer, and with the Portugal legend chasing 1000 career goals, there is no hint of him retiring yet.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner may yet choose to remain in the Saudi Pro League, where he apparently feels so at home, yet he has often been linked with a move back to Sporting CP, where he made his first steps in professional football before embarking on his incredible, trophy-laden career.

STATS

Cristiano Ronaldo

F (C)

Al-Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo

F (C)

Al-Nassr

All Tournaments

2024/25

• 23

  Games

• 20

  Goals

• 4

  Assists

View all stats

Sporting’s move to dedicate a shirt to Ronaldo is, then, an eye-catching play on the part of the Portuguese side, who could start formal contract talks with the 39-year-old superstar in January over a deal.

“There are numbers that leave one legend: the next No.7 could be you!” Sporting state.

“In honour of Cristiano, we invite you to wear the No.7 jersey, the third kit of the 2024/25 season.

Homage to the No.7

Sporting’s unveiling video is dedicated to his famous number seven, which is the number that he wore with distinction as Man Utd, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr.

Ironically, the only club that Ronaldo did not wear the No.7 shirt was at Sporting. Just making his breakthrough into the first team, he was given the No.28 shirt during the 2002/03 campaign that he played with the club.

Could this, then, be a hint that the jersey will be made available for him if and when he returns to the Lisbon giants?

What does Sporting’s Ronaldo shirt look like?

Sporting’s third kit, which for the 2024/25 season will be dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo, is coloured primarily black.

There are flashes of gold across the shirt to represent the incredible career of the Portugal legend, who has won major honours at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.

The defining feature, though, is the giant ‘7’ emblazoned across the centre of our shirt.