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Cristiano Ronaldo ‘wants Real Madrid return’ but it’s Mbappe who calls the shots

Cristiano Ronaldo is allegedly keen to leave Juventus and there’s news of a possible return to Real Madrid, but the Portuguese star may also be moving elsewhere depending on the potential transfer of another player, according to the latest reports circulating.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been open about wanting to leave Serie A giant Juventus in the near future and ‘wants to return’ to Real Madrid but the Portuguese superstar knows his situation depends on PSG’s Kylian Mbappe, according to AS.

Reports in Italy suggest Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will do everything he can to ensure the Frenchman becomes the latest galactico, in a move which could go to the wire. In the event that PSG should refuse to sell Mbappe then the door could open for Ronaldo to return to the Spanish giants.

However, when prompted for a response about Ronaldo’s potential return last spring, Perez replied bluntly: “It doesn’t make sense to us.”

Consequently any move for Mbappe by the Los Blancos or any other European club also opens another possibility for Ronaldo to join PSG, ESPN reports. In the current scenario as the Bernabeu, Carlo Ancelotti’s return to the Bernabeu could prove to be a key deciding factor in Ronaldo’s possible homecoming.

The Portuguese dynamo endured a great relationship with the Italian manager during the latter’s successful two-year spell at the club from 2013-15.

And the 36-year-old striker has previously spoken highly of Ancelotti, affectionately describing him as a ‘big teddy bear’.

Ronaldo said to Marca in 2015: “I want to work with him again.

“He’s like a big teddy bear, he’s really sensitive and is a great guy. He would speak with us every day, but not just with me, with all of the players.

“He had great fun with us. He’s a great person and my only wish is that every player gets the chance to work with him because he’s such a great guy and a fantastic coach.

Ronaldo joined Juventus in 2018 for €100million following nine years in the Spanish capital.

“I miss him a lot. I want to work with him again, but I’m doing fine now too. I’m working with a new coach and I’m happy now too. But it’s great to have these good memories of him.

“He took me by surprise. At the start I thought that he was very cold and arrogant, but he turned out to be the exact opposite.”

It was under Ancelotti that Ronaldo enjoyed his greatest team success in Spain, as he helped Real Madrid win La Decima , their tenth European Cup after a 12 year wait.

Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2009 from Manchester United for a then world-record £80million fee.

The Portuguese legend spent nine years in the Spanish capital where he won countless trophies including four Champions Leagues, two La Liga titles and two Copa del Rey’s.

Ronaldo joined Real Madrid from Manchester United in 2009 for a then world-record £80million fee, after which he then joined Juventus in 2018, although the move has not gone according to plan.

At 36 Ronaldo is obviously not getting any younger and any move would be a huge gamble for a club that has had to cope with its own financial issues in pandemic-stricken times. Instead, moving for Mbappe would likely prove more economically viable.

But, one way or another, the stage is set, and should Real Madrid come knocking again, then Cristiano Ronaldo could be on his way back to the Bernabeu for one last chutzpah.

Credit: Football Tribe Malaysia