Twelve years after leaving for Spanish Real Madrid, football legend and Portuguese national team Captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, made a dramatic return to Old Trafford from Italian football giants, Juventus, last Friday for a two-year contract worth £13million.
As at Thursday, it seemed Ronaldo was heading the opposite direction of Manchester, the Etihad, but by the close of business on Friday, all media channels were replete with the news of Ronaldo agreeing terms with former club, Manchester United, after completing medicals and agreeing personal terms.
At 36, Ronaldo looks set to make his debut on September 11, after the international break.
The Red Devils confirmed the signing today with a statement on their website explaining that the contract has an “…option to extend for a further year, subject to international clearance.”
Extolling the records and achievements of the legend, the statement said, “Cristiano, a five-time Ballon D’or winner, has so far won over 30 major trophies during his career, including five UEFA Champions League titles, four FIFA Club World Cups, seven league titles in England, Spain and Italy, and the UEFA European Championship for his native Portugal.
“Cristiano is the first player to have won league titles in England, Spain and Italy.
“He was also the highest goalscorer in last season’s Serie A and won the golden boot at this year’s European Championship.
“In his first spell for Manchester United, he scored 118 goals in 292 games.”
In his response to the signing, the website quoted Ronaldo as saying, “Manchester United is a club that has always had a special place in my heart, and I have been overwhelmed by all the messages I have received since the announcement on Friday.
“I cannot wait to play at Old Trafford in front of a full stadium and see all the fans again.
“I’m looking forward to joining up with the team after the international games, and I hope we have a very successful season ahead.”
An ecstatic Ole Solksjaer, while looking ahead of working in the dressing room with the Portuguese star, said, “You run out of words to describe Cristiano. He is not only a marvellous player, but also a great human being.
“To have the desire and the ability to play at the top level for such a long period requires a very special person.
“I have no doubt that he will continue to impress us all and his experience will be so vital for the younger players in the squad.
“Ronaldo’s return demonstrates the unique appeal of this club and I am absolutely delighted he is coming home to where it all started.”
Taking to his official Instagram page, the well-decorated player told his 336million followers of how enthusiastic he is to reunite with the club’s officials, managers, co-players, fans, and everything about the club.
He was quoted as saying, “Everyone who knows me, knows about my never-ending love for Manchester United…”
“The years I spent in this club were absolutely amazing and the path we’ve made together is written in gold letters in the history of this great and amazing institution.
“I can’t even start to explain my feelings right now, as I see my return to Old Trafford announced worldwide. It’s like a dream come true, after all the times that I went back to play against Man United, and even as an opponent, to have always felt such love and respect from the supporters in the stands. This is absolutely 100 per cent the stuff that dreams are made of!
“My first domestic League, my first Cup, my first call to the Portuguese National team, my first Champions League, my first Golden Boot and my first Ballon d’Or, they were all born from this special connection between me and the Red Devils. History has been written in the past and history will be written once again! You have my word!” he concluded.
Azuka Edokobi is a Writer , a Farmer, a Supply Chain Expert and an Entrepreneur
