Sporting CP head coach Ruben Amorim has claimed that the Portuguese club don’t have the money to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo, even if the 37-year-old would be a ‘dream’ transfer.

Ronaldo famously started his professional career at Sporting, having moved to Lisbon from his home on the island of Madeira at 12 and making his debut first-team debut at 17. He joined Manchester United just a year later and was catapulted on the road to superstardom.

But the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, back in Manchester since 2021, has seen his fairytale reunion with his former team turn sour. He asked to leave during the summer and has fallen out of favour with manager Erik ten Hag, even being dropped from the squad altogether for Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea as a ‘consequence’ for walking down the tunnel early against Tottenham.