The dream of seeing Cristiano Ronaldo once again wearing Sporting Lisbon’s iconic green and white might not be as far-fetched as it seems. At 40 years old, the Portuguese superstar continues to break records with Al Nassr and the Portugal national team, but in his homeland, hope is growing for a romantic return to the club where it all started — Sporting Lisbon.

Sá Pinto reignites the dream

The one who reignited that hope is Ricardo Sá Pinto, a Sporting legend and former teammate of Cristiano. In an interview with Radio MARCA, the Portuguese coach — currently managing a club in Iran — expressed his wish to see the star close out his career at the José Alvalade stadium. “It would be incredible to see him finish his career at Sporting. It would be amazing — a beautiful story for everyone,” he said nostalgically.

Sá Pinto, who shared the locker room with a young Cristiano Ronaldo, recalled how his ambition was evident from the very first training sessions. “He was a kid with an extraordinary passion. The energy and hunger he had back then are still there today. He’s learned to take care of his body and mind like no one else. It’s incredible to see him competing at this level,” he noted.

Beyond admiration, Sá Pinto also touched on the emotional bond between Cristiano and Sporting, the club where he made his professional debut and where the number 7 — once worn by Sá Pinto himself — became a symbol. “I hope he comes back, even if it’s with a different number. What matters is that he returns. Finishing at Sporting would be fantastic for everyone,” he added.

A return Portugal dreams of

The possibility of Cristiano’s return to Lisbon stirs both excitement and nostalgia. In Portugal, every hint or comment from the forward is seen as a sign. His face still adorns Gate 7 of the José Alvalade stadium, and thousands of fans keep alive the hope of watching him score one last goal at home.

Meanwhile, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner continues to shine in Saudi Arabia and remains Forbes’ highest-paid footballer in the world, earning €239 million annually. Still, beyond money or records, many believe his story has one final chapter left to be written — with Sporting Lisbon.

As Sá Pinto put it: “Some stories are meant to be written only once — and this would be one of them.” If Cristiano ever decides to return to Lisbon, it wouldn’t just be a sporting comeback, but an act of love toward the club and the fans who watched him take his first steps toward greatness.