Cristiano Ronaldo's son Cristiano Jr wants the family to return to Lisbon and for the duo to join Sporting CP – the club where it all began for the Portuguese superstar.
Ronaldo remains keen to depart Manchester United despite not getting his wish to exit Old Trafford this summer. His mother, Dolores Aveiro, has confirmed the 37-year-old’s exit plan while outlining his intentions for the remaining years of his career – with a clear family wish to return to Sporting, whom the player left in 2003 to join the Red Devils for the first time.
Cristiano Jr, aged 12, officially joined United's youth system earlier this year after he was pictured training with his dad during the Premier League's winter break. It is customary for children of footballers to join the youth ranks of their club should they wish to be involved in the sport.
As Ronaldo's mother Dolores explained to Nova Genta, Cristiano Jr has made it clear to the family that his desire is to move to the Portuguese capital as he wishes to play for Sporting. Dolores – who is a supporter of the Lisbon-based giants – has been vocal in her desire for her son to end his club career at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.
Ronaldo has five children, who he raises with his partner Georgina Rodriguez: Cristiano Jr, Eva, Mateo, Alana Martina and Bella Esmeralda. However, the couple has previously insisted that there would be no pressure for the children to enter football or any defined career.
"Only time will tell," Ronaldo explained on Georgina's Netflix series, I Am Georgina, which was broadcast earlier this year. "I will never pressure him. He will do what he wants. Also what I want the most for Cristiano and everyone else is that they're happy and that they choose what they want. I will support in any way."
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Speaking in December 2020, Ronaldo added: "We'll see if my son will become a great footballer. He has potential. He is fast and dribbles well, but that is not enough. I always tell him that it takes work and dedication to have success. I won't pressure him to become a footballer, but if you ask me if I want him to, yes I would like it. The most important thing is to become the best at whatever he does, whether it is as a footballer or a doctor."
Discussing Cristiano Jr's upbringing in 2015, the forward said: "It's not easy, it's not going to be easy but for me in my mind the way of thinking, it's all about education. If you will give good education, he will be strong and he will now appreciate the things. I cannot avoid to show him a good car, good houses, a good quality of life.
"You cannot avoid you know… if you will be in my shoes what are you going to do? It's all about education, you have to give good education and pass to him. [I tell him] to win this, Daddy works hard, to have this house, to have this car. I cannot do anything more."
