As Sporting CP chief Hugo Viana encourages Cristiano Ronaldo to make his own choice over a potential summer switch, the position taken by the forward's mother has come into focus.
Ronaldo has long been linked with a return to Lisbon, where he began his professional career as a teenager. Indeed, the player's mother Dolores Aveiro vowed to speak to her son over a potential move in 2021, before a second spell with Manchester United became an option.
Sporting have reportedly made initial contact over the 37-year-old, who finished last season top of the scoring charts at Old Trafford. And, after some early positive noises, it is hard not to recall what Ronaldo's mother said in 2021.
Tomorrow I will go to see him and talk to him.," Aveiro said in 2021, as reported at the time by Calciomercato (via Juve FC). "Next season he will play at Alvalade [Sporting's stadium]. I will convince him to come back”.
While the veteran did indeed leave Juventus, it was for a two-year deal at another of his former clubs. However, with question marks over the second of those two years, it could be the case that Ronaldo will give his mother her wish - albeit later than planned.
The player had just one full season as a Sporting player, with the Lisbon club suffering a long title drought while he won trophy after trophy at Man Utd, Real Madrid and Juventus. However, they won the Primeira Liga under Ruben Amorim in 2021 and last season finished as runners-up behind Porto.
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"I think not now - I don't think it is possible, but you never know," Viana told Sky Sports when asked about Ronaldo's future. The former Portugal international, who spent time in the Premier League with Newcastle United, took over as sporting director at his former club in 2018.
"He can decide where he goes, but you never know the future," he continued. "I don't want to talk about that, but he has another year on his contract so whatever he decides, let's see.
Dolores Aveiro has also been vocal on the prospect of her son returning to Sporting, saying in September 2021 : “He has to come back. I already told him: ‘Son, before I die I want to see you return to Sporting’. 'Let’s see...’, he said.”
Sporting aren't the only club linked with Ronaldo this summer, though. Former Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho has reportedly examined the possibility of bringing the 37-year-old to Roma, while United themselves responded amid links to Premier League rivals Chelsea.
“Cristiano is not for sale,” a United source said amid reports Chelsea owner Todd Boehly had met with the player's agent. “We want - and fully expect - him to be with us next season.”
