Ronaldo hints at return to Premier League

Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has told ‘Special Report’ hasn’t ruled out a return to the Premier League.

But the Real Madrid ‘Galactico’ may not necessarily go back to Old Trafford: Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal are you listening?

The 26-year-old won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Champions League during six years at Manchester United before moving to Real Madrid in 2009 for a world record fee of £80 million.

But he told Sky Sports News HD presenter Georgie Thompson he misses the lure of Premier League football.

“I don’t close the door (on the Premier League) so maybe in the future I hope so,” he said, “because I know the league, I know the players, I know the atmosphere.

“Why not? I hope so one day but you never know. The team that I like more in England is Manchester but I cannot say that I am going to play there one day because I am very, very happy in Madrid.”

The Portugal international is keeping his future options open although he would love to end his chequered career at Madrid.

“I’ve said a few times that if Madrid want, I can sign for 10 years more until the finish of my career but nobody knows the future. I cannot lie to you and say I will stay here 10 years, that I am not going to come back to Manchester. It is not fair on my part. Let’s see what future God has prepared for me,” he said.

The 2011 Ballon D’Or winner fired home an incredible 54 goals in all competitions last season and aims to eclipse that haul this time around but insists that collective rewards supercede individual honours.

“I said a few times that to play for Real Madrid was my dream - as it was for Manchester too,” he declared. “For me they are the best clubs in the world, apart from maybe Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal, Milan.

“I’m really happy with what I did in Manchester because I don’t forget the six years that I passed there. I have a lot of friends there.”

He acknowledged that United manager Alex Ferguson as one of his mentors and treasures his period at Old Trafford.

“Sir Alex Ferguson is my second dad - he helped me a lot to improve and now Mr (Jose) Mourinho too because they are experienced managers who win many things, so for me they are the best coaches.

“I have good memories from Manchester and when I watch sometimes the games I miss it a lot because it’s part of me I left in England. Just because I play in Madrid I’m not going to miss speaking with the old guys, so when I have an opportunity I speak with Sir Alex Ferguson.

“It was important for me when I played there, when my life was there so it is good to speak with him because I’ll never forget who really helped me. There is a beginning and end to everything - what I did in Manchester is completely finished because I won almost everything there.”

It was the challenge of scaling new heights that led him to leave England and not riches, he insists.

“I always try for a new challenge. To move from Manchester to Madrid is not about the contract - it is about a new challenge, being close to my family, different weather, the language. The most important reason why I moved is the challenge because I really like to put myself under pressure to see what I can do.

“But I really miss the Premier League - for me it is along with the Spanish league the best league in the world.”




And Arsenal lose Vermaelen for a month as well

Wenger convinced Arsenal to 'sell' Fabregas

Gerrard boost for Liverpool vs Spurs
 

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.