Casillas throws weight behind Ronaldo Real Madrid transfer

FT Desk

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:56 CDT
• 3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked with a sensational return to Real Madrid from Manchester United, and los Blancos club legend Iker Casillas would like to see it happen.

Ronaldo's Man Utd career looks to be over after he gave an explosive interview to Piers Morgan on the eve of the World Cup in Qatar.

The 37-year-old Portugal captain took aim at United manager Erik ten Hag, the Glazer family's ownership and more in a wide-ranging attack for which the club have now sought legal advice, with a view to rescinding his contract.

READ: Could Man Utd sack Cristiano Ronaldo over Piers Morgan interview?

Ronaldo's former Real teammate Karim Benzema pulled out France's World Cup squad late in the day, meanwhile, succumbing to a thigh injury which ruled him out of Madrid's last six fixtures before the break, during which time they surrendered top spot in La Liga to Barcelona.

There is concern at the Bernabeu that Benzema might not be sufficiently fit to scale the same heights as her did last season, and Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes has offered Real his player's services on a six-month deal while Benzema recovers.

Casillas, who won seven major honours alongside Ronaldo with Real between 2009 and 2015, thinks his former teammate would still be an asset at the highest level despite his recent travails.

READ: Ronaldo pushing for shock Real Madrid return

Casillas: 'I'd like him on my team'

"It seems that Cristiano's come to the World Cup as a guest and people don't count on him because of all the trouble he has at Manchester United," the goalkeeping great told Marca.

"But I have him as a contender for the Golden Boot. When people talk about Cris they forget what he's done. Come on, he doesn't forget, because he knows what he's done.

"But I would always like him on my team. Cristiano still has the ability to play at the highest level."

Ronaldo scored a barely fathomable 450 goals in 438 games after joining Real in a €94 million deal in 2009. Nearly 14 years on, he could return for a fraction of that price, if not for free - a gamble worth taking for Casillas.