Coach Arbeloa Reportedly “Blocks” Move, Leaving Sporting Lisbon as Potential Final Stop
Real Madrid has reportedly made a definitive decision against re-signing club legend Cristiano Ronaldo this summer, dashing hopes of an emotional reunion at the Bernabéu. According to Spanish media, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has moved to “block” the transfer, signaling the end of the road for a potential fairytale return.
The decision comes amid renewed uncertainty around Ronaldo’s future at Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr. The 40-year-old superstar, who has scored prolifically in the Middle East, is said to be frustrated by the club’s lack of backing in the transfer market, with a reported recent dispute leading him to refuse to play in a league match on Monday.
Despite Ronaldo’s reported willingness to accept a secondary role at Madrid without making sporting demands, the club’s hierarchy is unconvinced. “Alvaro Arbeloa has been clear with the sporting director that Cristiano Ronaldo’s return would pose an unnecessary risk internally,” one report stated. “Even if the Portuguese player is willing to accept a substitute role, no one in the dressing room believes his presence could coexist without creating tension.”
With a return to Manchester United also seen as highly unlikely, attention is turning to a poignant alternative: a final chapter at his boyhood club, Sporting Lisbon. Reports suggest a sentimental return to Portugal is now “emerging strongly” as an option.
“A return to Sporting would have an immeasurable historical and emotional impact,” one outlet noted. “For the player, it would mean closing the circle of an unforgettable career.” While the move would be financially complex, the symbolic weight of ending his storied career where it began could prove decisive for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as he aims to stay sharp for this summer’s World Cup.
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