Atletico uncomfortable with Ronaldo return

Through whims of fate, the Champions League last-16 draw has brought Cristiano Ronaldo back to Madrid just months after leaving Real during the summer transfer window.

After nine seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Portuguese is back in the Spanish capital, his home for almost a decade.

The first leg of the last 16 of the Champions League will see Atletico welcome Ronaldo’s Juventus to the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday, February 19.

However, the Italians will travel the previous day to train on the field and adjust, meaning Ronaldo’s reunion will begin on February 18.

On July 10, his transfer to La Vecchia Signora became official and since then, his relationship with his former employers has steadily deteriorated day by day.

The latest barb from the forward came when he praised Juventus, while getting in a slight dig at Los Blancos.

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But there is more. His return to the capital, beyond the nostalgia and the relationship that exists with his old team, will see him face Atletico, a club which were his fierce rivals for many years.That adds just a little bit more spice to his return.

The Rojiblancos are among his favourite victims and he has scored the third highest amount of goals against them in all competitions (22), behind only Sevilla (27) and Getafe (23), without counting penalties, according to Opta data.

He was also key in both Atletico’s Champions League final defeats against Los Blancos.

In Lisbon, he scored the fourth goal, while in Milan, he tucked away the decisive penalty, which gave his side the trophy.

CR7 will be back in February, seven months after leaving the city he once called home.

However, this time, he is now stepping onto enemy territory.