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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Andy MacKay

Cristiano Ronaldo 'tricked' into Man United exit as Real Madrid return floated amid Al-Nassr woes

Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo's megabucks move to the Middle East hasn't hit the heights he or his new employers had expected - but he's been touted for a sensational return to Real Madrid by an ex-Barcelona legend.

Al-Nassr had hoped that shelling out a world record outlay of £173 million per season would propel them towards a first Saudi Pro League title in four years. It hasn't quite panned out that way though for the team in blue and yellow as they currently sit three points off leaders Al-Itti had with just five league games remaining.

By his own impeccable standards, a return of 12 league goals in 15 games in Riyadh hasn't been enough to yield the big upturn in results that was expected. He's also not been shy in showing his displeasure at times, recently clashing with his team-mates following their shock exit from the Saudi King Cup. Former Camp Nou icon Rivaldo was speaking to Spanish title Diario AS and revealed his empathy for Ronaldo's situation.

He said: "I understand that sometimes the players are tricked by the big contract they sign in Saudi Arabia, but then life there is more closed and football is not always as easy as expected'."

The World Cup winner then claimed there was one big move left for the multi-time Champions League winner: "'It would be good for him and for football to see Cristiano Ronaldo return to Real Madrid to finish his career. Of course, the fans have to understand that they cannot demand the same from him as he did when he was 25 or 26 years old, but he can still help the club in more achievements."

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