Why Ruben Amorim did not want Sporting Lisbon to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo?

Erik Ten Hag faced many challenges as Manchester United's manager, particularly when it came to making tough decisions, including the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. Upon his appointment in 2022, Ten Hag encountered a complex situation. Despite speaking highly of Ronaldo during his initial press conference, he soon realized that the iconic striker was eager to seek new opportunities.

Ronaldo felt disillusioned after United's disappointing performance in the 2021/22 season and was determined to pursue titles elsewhere. This clarity in Ronaldo's intentions helped Ten Hag navigate a critical aspect and that was to move away from his services. 

Manchester United was open to discussions regarding a potential departure, but they did not receive any offers from top European clubs, which was a key factor in the situation. In November 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo took the initiative to leave the club after experiencing differences with Erik ten Hag. He subsequently became a free agent and joined Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. 

Ruben Amorim didn't want Ronaldo at Sporting CP 

During the summer of 2022, Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, actively explored opportunities for his client among various clubs. Although Bayern Munich was considered a prominent contender, they ultimately decided not to pursue the option.

A proposal was raised for Ronaldo to rejoin Sporting, the Portuguese club that signed him in 2003. While the deal faced challenges due to his high wages, the notion of returning to his roots ahead of the 2022 World Cup held some appeal.

Ultimately, the concept did not progress, as reports from The Times indicated that Sporting's manager, Ruben Amorim, who is also set to take over at Manchester United, was not enthusiastic about the idea.

Cristiano Ronaldo admires Amorim

Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed a degree of admiration for Ruben Amorim, even though the manager has opposed signing him. According to BBC Sport, Portuguese football writer Marcus Alves praises Amorim for being eloquent and outgoing. His ability to communicate effectively and with charisma has impressed many, including Ronaldo.

Amorim's strong personality truly shines through in his decision to oppose the return of Ronaldo to the club. He understands the potential challenges this could create for his vision at Sporting. This perspective is reminiscent of Erik ten Hag's approach at Manchester United, where he believed the team would benefit from moving forward without Ronaldo as a starter.