Cristiano Ronaldo’s career will end in a fairy tale if he follows the advice of the former Manchester United assistant coach to make another transfer.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second return to Manchester United was unsuccessful and ended in bitterness. Now that Ronaldo is in Saudi Arabia playing for Al Nassr, Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant coach at Manchester United, Rene Meulensteen, has urged the 39-year-old Portuguese superstar to make one last move to end his career in a fairytale.
Cristiano Ronaldo should retire back in Europe, according to former Manchester United assistant coach Rene Meulensteen. Meulensteen sees Ronaldo returning to European football as the ideal way to end his illustrious career.
Ronaldo could end his career in a fairy tale if he listens to Meulensteen’s advice to return to European football. PHOTO: GETTY
Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr in 2023 after a bitter reunion with United. Ronaldo is now committed to staying in Saudi Arabia for another season to finish his contract. Despite being 39 years old, Ronaldo has not shown any signs of retiring, participating in the 2026 World Cup or moving to any other club. Meulensteen feels that it is not appropriate for Ronaldo to retire in Asia and that Ronaldo should return to Europe for a fairytale ending.
Meulensteen on how Ronaldo ended his illustrious career: “It would be romantic if Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Europe to finish his career. But, one of the problems we see in Portugal is that all the focus is on Ronaldo. People focus too much on him which doesn’t help, although Ronaldo can still do a good job as long as he understands his role and what he can contribute.
Ronaldo also needs to understand that he is not the same player anymore, he is not the Cristiano Ronaldo he was when he was 28. Ronaldo can still play an important role in many aspects. Yes, I think it would be great if Ronaldo returned to Europe for many reasons, maybe to Sporting. It would be interesting to see Ronaldo announce his retirement at Sporting.”
Sir Alex Ferguson turned Ronaldo into a world superstar . PHOTO: GETTY
Cristiano Ronaldo began his playing career with Sporting CP in 2002, making his first-team debut in the Champions League against Inter Milan. He joined Manchester United a year later at the age of 19. Meulensteen, meanwhile, began working with Ronaldo at United in 2007 when he became first-team coach under Sir Alex Ferguson. Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or a year later at United and moved to Real Madrid for a then world record fee of £80 million.
His time at Real Madrid saw Ronaldo become one of the greatest players of his generation in world football. He scored 451 goals in 438 games and won four Champions League titles and two La Liga titles with Real Madrid.
Ronaldo in his early career playing for Manchester United. PHOTO: GETTY
Ronaldo’s three years at Juventus and return to Manchester United have not been as successful as expected, despite winning Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Serie A top scorer. Ronaldo is currently representing Saudi Arabia’s professional football league, the Saudi Pro League . Ronaldo turns 40 next year, and Meulensteen believes a return to boyhood club Sporting would be the perfect way for Ronaldo to end his career.
