Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly ruled out the possibility of signing Cristiano Ronaldo, who finds himself in desperate need of a new club.
The 37-year-old striker has burned his bridges with Manchester United thanks to an explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which he slammed manager Erik ten Hag, criticised owners the Glazer family and targeted high-ranking officials. Both the club and Ronaldo now hope to engineer an exit during the January transfer window, but it's becoming increasingly difficult given the lack of suitors.
Having snubbed the opportunity to sign the five-time Ballon d'Or winner over the summer, when he first informed the Old Trafford hierarchy of his desire to leave, PSG's stance hasn't changed. CBS Sports report that the French champions still don't consider Ronaldo a target even after his jaw-dropping tirade, ending speculation of a long-awaited link-up with eternal rival Lionel Messi.
The Portuguese megastar had felt that the door was open for a move to Paris before choosing to sensationally re-sign for United last summer. Now, though, the Ligue 1 giants have categorically ruled out a transfer, despite rumoured interest.
Instead, PSG will focus on other targets and extending star player Messi's deal beyond the end of the season when his current contract expires.
As for Ronaldo, the Portugal captain heads into the fast-approaching World Cup with an uncertain future. Although United have decided to part ways in a sad end to his second spell at Old Trafford, no club has emerged as a serious contender for his signature.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly was interested in a deal after a meeting with Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, over the summer, but former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel ultimately rejected the idea of having the five-time Ballon d'Or winner in his squad. Whether Boehly could convince current manager Graham Potter to take Ronaldo into his team remains to be seen, but it's unlikely given how the Portuguese megastar has only scored one Premier League goal this season and is clearly in decline.
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A return to Sporting Lisbon could be on the cards if Ronaldo is willing to take a significant wage cut on his £480,000-a-week salary. The former Real Madrid and Juventus talisman came through Sporting's ranks as a teenager, and boss Ruben Amorim has insisted that Ronaldo remains a popular figure in Lisbon.
"Everyone at Sporting likes him, there's not much to say," Amorim stated, via O Jogo, in response to talk of a return. "He himself says he wants to do things in peace to follow his future. He will decide his future.
"I won't be here telling you how things are for me. In the summer, it became obvious that things don't all pass me by. There's the club, there's the structure. He's a Manchester United player."
