“If it were my choice, he would already be here” – When Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother made special request to her son about where he should play next

Cristiano Ronaldo is currently plying his trade with Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, but his mum, Dolores Aveiro, then revealed during his second stint at Manchester United that she wanted him to rejoin Sporting Lisbon.

She has been a huge fan of Sporting and was celebrating the club's first league title in 19 years when she made the comments. Aveiro wanted to see her son play for her favorite club again and openly requested him to move to Portugal.

Speaking on a podcast, she said in September 2022: (via ESPN)

"Ronaldo has to come back here. If it were my choice, he would already be here. He likes to watch Sporting games. I've already told him: 'Son, before I die, I want to see you return to Sporting'. He says: 'Let's see': But if it can't be him, then Cristianinho!"

She joked that Tabata should be ready to sacrifice the number #7 jersey at Sporting when her son returns. She added:

"Today the number 7 jersey [at Sporting] is [Brazilian attacking midfielder] Tabata, but when Ronaldo comes it will be his!"

Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. dreams of Sporting Lisbon

Cristiano Ronaldo's mother has also claimed that the forward's son is already better than his father. She added that the 13-year-old is looking forward to playing for Lisbon, and she wants to see the father-son duo share the pitch.

Continuing to talk on the podcast, Aveiro said: (via the aforementioned source)

"At his age, he plays better than Ronaldo," the proud grandmother said of her 11-year-old grandson. "At that age, Ronaldo didn't have a coach but today Ronaldo is his son's teacher. He's already saying 'Dad, when we move to Lisbon I want to play for Sporting'. Now he's starting out at Manchester [United]. Seeing the two of them together at Sporting was my dream, it would be spectacular."

Aveiro's dream of seeing Ronaldo back at Sporting in 2022 was squashed as he stayed put at Manchester United after several clubs across Europe rejected the chance to sign him. Ronaldo then decided to join Al Nassr and his time in Saudi Arabia has been a success as he continues to rack up the goals.