Fans think Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction to being asked to sign a shirt shows which club is still his ‘favourite’.
Cristiano Ronaldo is currently on international duty with Portugal at Euro 2024, and is looking to reclaim the title of European champions they won in 2016.
Portugal began their campaign with a 2-1 win against Slovakia on Tuesday, although 39-year-old Ronaldo struggled to make much of an impact on proceedings.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is certainly not the player he once was, a fact reflected by his decision to swap European football for the Saudi Pro League last year.
That said, wherever he goes there are legions of adoring fans desperate to catch a glimpse of heir hero.
Ronaldo struggled in front of goal against the Czech Republic (Getty)
A video has emerged online of Ronaldo signing autographs for fans in Germany, including the moment one fan thrust a Real Madrid shirt into his hands.
Some players can be reluctant to sign jerseys of their former clubs, but Ronaldo’s reaction when he realised it was a Madrid shirt spoke volumes.
The Portuguese attacker – who also counts Sporting CP, Manchester United and Juventus among his former sides – smiled and happily obliged when asked to sign the shirt.
Fans on social media noticed Ronaldo’s reaction and suggested that Real Madrid are his favourite club despite leaving them for Juventus in 2018.
“That smile bro,” one fan commented, while another wrote: “Deep down he misses us.”
A third fan said: “Once a Madridista, always a Madridista,” while a fourth commented: “He really loved Real Madrid.”
Ronaldo decided to swap Madrid for Turin in 2018 as he felt that club president Florentino Perez no longer regarded him as indispensable.
Many fans believe that was a mistake. One fan on X commented: “His biggest mistake was to leave Real Madrid. Madrid had everything, great squad, great manager, great structure..everything. He easily could have won 3/4 UCL and Ballon d’Or. Juventus and then Man United move ruined his last 5/6 years.”