On the occasion of the 38th birthday of Cristiano Ronaldo on February 5, 2023, Sporting Lisbon released a special tribute box. Ronaldo began his professional soccer playing career in Sporting colors and the club has not forgotten his legacy. However, one fan was not impressed by this. According to him, this is “just another money grab” tactic.
Just a money grab 🥴
— Brian (@BrianForester67) February 9, 2023
The fan believes that Sporting Lisbon is just trying to make money through the use of Ronaldo’s name. But, this is just a fan theory. Other fans questioned him about how this is a money grab. One fan even mentioned that Ronaldo was made in Sporting.
On their official website, Sporting announced, “On a special day, for a special athlete, a special gift: here is the Cristiano Ronaldo Box.
A Limited Edition in tribute to the best Portuguese player of all time, to celebrate the 21st anniversary of his official debut for Sporting Clube de Portugal’s first team.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut was on the 14th of August 2002, for the Champions League third qualifying round, against FC Inter Milano.
The Cristiano Ronaldo Box includes a replica of the jersey he wore on his debut and an unprecedented book which describes his 7 years at Sporting CP’s Youth Academy, only to become CR7, the 5-time winner of the FIFA Ballon d’Or and a living legend who earned his place in History as one of the best players of all time.
An amazing life story, a real example of Effort, Dedication, Devotion, and Glory.”
𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗼 𝗥𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗱𝗼 𝗕𝗼𝘅
A 𝘓𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘌𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 in tribute to the best portuguese player of all time 🦁
Now available 👉 https://t.co/jfGzMZ0D7j pic.twitter.com/GOISAlbOKs— Sporting CP English (@SportingCP_en) February 9, 2023
The tribute box is said to be available on their website and also at their stadium’s megastore. Ronaldo, who was linked to a move back to Sporting recently, posed with the box on Sporting’s Twitter account.
Cristiano Ronaldo was linked to a return to Sporting Lisbon amid unrest at Manchester United
Ronaldo was unhappy at Premier League club Manchester United. The fairytale return had become a tragedy and the Portuguese wanted to leave. It has come to light that he wanted to leave in the summer of 2022. However, his agent at the time, Jorge Mendes, could not get him a top club in Europe. In hindsight, this event created issues between the player and the agent.
Among the names linked with Ronaldo at the time, Sporting Lisbon had cropped up as well. Ronaldo, who scored three goals in 25 matches with Sporting, had a possible return lined up. In July, Hugo Viana, sporting director of the Portuguese club refused to rule out a future move, stating:
“He can decide where he can go. But you never know the future…so whatever he decides, let’s see.”
🗣 “Everybody in Sporting dreams of a return of Cristiano, but we don’t have the money to pay his wages.”
Ruben Amorim rules out any dreams of Sporting Lisbon buying Cristiano Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/ejVxbQkmAH
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 26, 2022
However, coming to October, head coach Ruben Amorim stated that the club would not be able to pay Ronaldo’s wages. With the $200 million a year contract Ronaldo has signed at Al-Nassr, Amorim’s words seem truer than ever.