Ronaldo emotional on Sporting return

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo is relishing the opportunity to return to Lisbon when he faces his former club Sporting CP in the Champions League on November 23.

Ronaldo moved to Sporting as an 11-year-old where he was later discovered by former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson as an 18-year-old.

The Portuguese captain reflects on his move to Lisbon, his return to his former club and the importance of the fixture following Madrid’s 3-3 draw with Legia Warsaw.

“It was a tough moment in my career when I moved from Madeira where I was with my family, to Lisbon when I was 11-years-old,” he told Sky Sports.

“That was the most difficult time in my career.”

“It is always special to be back,” he added.

“I remember going back to Old Trafford two or three years ago and now to go back to Sporting, which was the team that created me from 11 to 18 years old.

“It is always a pleasure to be back and see my old stadium and my old friends.

“It will be amazing, but of course I have to defend my colours and I want to win the game. We need to win, too.”

It was at Sporting’s Jose Alvalade stadium that Ferguson discovered Ronaldo following a quality performance in a friendly against United.

“I had always been dreaming of playing for a big club, which Manchester United were at the time,” Ronaldo said.

“But things went really fast after that game against them. I moved to Manchester a few months later, it was great.

“I remember playing against them in Lisbon and I put in a good performance. Alex Ferguson acted quickly and I then moved to Manchester United.

“I knew I had played a good game, but I did not expect to have made such an impact on some of the players.

“It was a pleasure for me. I was really happy that people liked my performance.”