“Never forget where you’ve come here from.”
There’s no danger of Cristiano Ronaldo forgetting his formative years on the flank at Old Trafford, that’s for sure.
The Real Madrid superstar and current Ballon d’Or holder made his name as a Manchester United player before his 2009 move to La Liga.
Not a summer has passed in recent years without some report or another sending United fans’ hearts racing with rumours that Ronaldo could return to the Red Devils and while that may be more wishful thinking than anything, it’s pretty clear that the Portuguese international fondly remembers his time in England.
That’s why Ronaldo has chosen to dedicate his new boots to his former club, as he insists he would not be the player he is today if not for United.
“My new #Mercurial – inspired by the 6 years in Manchester that made me CR7,” Ronaldo wrote on Thursday.
My new #Mercurial – inspired by the 6 years in Manchester that made me CR7 💪
CR7 Chapter 4 – Coming April 10 pic.twitter.com/N6SlraQJyv— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) April 6, 2017
At the launch of the boots, Ronaldo expanded on why he made the decision to pay homage to United with his new footwear.
“It was the beginning of my success in football,” he explained. “It was probably one of the most beautiful moments in my career so far.
“Alex Ferguson was a father for me in football. I learned many things, not just from the coach but the players.
“I improved not just my skills but my body too.
“In the five years that I was [at United] I learned the art of football. It was a dream for me.”
After moving to United in 2003, Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 appearances and won three Premier League titles, the Champions League and the FA Cup.
And supporters would only love to have him back.
