Where next for Cristiano Ronaldo? Real Madrid, PSG and Newcastle United all interested
A return to Madrid, a move to Paris or stay in the Premier League? After requesting to leave Manchester United this summer, we look at where Cristiano Ronaldo could end up next season.
Cristiano Ronaldo's fairytale return to Old Trafford didn't quite go to plan. Granted, Ronaldo himself scored 24 goals in all competitions, but Manchester United were hugely reliant on his output, and the Red Devils failed to compete on any front.
Stability is the last thing United can offer Ronaldo at the moment, and with the 37-year-old's legendary career coming to an end, it's hard to blame him that he wants to be part of a more developed project.
Regardless of his age, Ronaldo will always have plenty of suitors around the globe. After requesting to leave, where will CR7 end up next season?
PSG
Could we finally see Ronaldo play alongside Lionel Messi? It's probably a decade too late to see the duo at the height of their powers, but it'd still be a magnificent sight nonetheless.
And the fantasy could become reality this summer if the French side go all out for his signature. They're among favourites to land him if he leaves Old Trafford.
But if the reports are true about PSG wanting to offload Neymar, then his departure would certainly leave a gap only capable of being filled by one of the world's best.
If we're to go one step further, then could we even see a swap deal between United and PSG? Of course it's very unlikely, but never say never.
Real Madrid
Ronaldo's return to Manchester United has not seen any trophies this season but surely that wouldn't be the case if he went back to Madrid.
Under Carlo Ancelotti, the Spanish side have just won the double, finishing a whopping 13 points ahead of rivals Barcelona to win La Liga, and then toppling Liverpool 1-0 in the Champions League to win a record 14th European title.
If it's more silverware that Ronaldo is after, then Real Madrid is his best option. Plus, having just missed out on Kylian Mbappe's signature, Ronaldo could help Madristas quickly forget about the Frenchman snubbing them for PSG.
Sporting Lisbon
Did you know? Cristiano Ronaldo played for Sporting Lisbon's u16, u18, u19, u21, B team and the first team all in one season. The only player in the club’s history to do so! 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/KVUJP4sz8x
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) December 23, 2021
It'd be a fitting last chapter in a legendary career, and it'd be hard for it to go worse than his Manchester United return did. Don't rule it out.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich are often known for making smart moves in the transfer window, with many of their young, shrewd signings going on to become European superstars in football.
Ronaldo ticks all the boxes as Lewandowski's replacement, so while it would definitely be a short term deal, the 37-year-old could help bring invaluable experience and his winning mentality to the side.
Juventus
He left Juventus last summer with the Italian club having only just scraped Champions League qualification, and he never was able to deliver them the European success they're so desperate for.
ON THIS DAY IN 2021:
— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) May 24, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo won the best player of the season in Juventus, where he finished the season as the top scorer in the Italian Serie A. 🔥🥇 pic.twitter.com/2cDB0IYA9l
Newcastle United
Now with the funds to compete with Europe's best, it's likely that Newcastle will want a marquee signing to kickstart their new project.