Porto president says no Portuguese club can afford to sign Cristiano Ronaldo

Porto president Pinto da Costa has ruled out Cristiano Ronaldo returning to Portugal, saying none of the clubs there can afford him.

Ronaldo has been a free agent since his unceremonious departure from Manchester United three weeks ago and is yet to decide on his future.

The former Real Madrid man was released from his contract by a mutual agreement with the club following his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan, where he criticised the club and his former manager Erik ten Hag over how he was treated.

Ronaldo, who struggled to nail down a spot in United’s starting 11 when Ten Hag took over, admitted he had ‘no respect’ for the Dutch tactician.

Having left Old Trafford in bizarre circumstances, Ronaldo is free to choose his next destination. But Da Costa believes it can not be a Portuguese club due to his astronomical wage demands.

“It’s up to him and the clubs interested,” said the Porto president (via Record). “But in Portugal, nobody has the capacity to give him what he earns and still wants to earn. And he has value for that.”

Ronaldo was part of Portugal’s World Cup squad that failed to get past the quarter-finals in what could have been his last major tournament with the national team.

The 37-year-old played in all of Portugal’s five games, starting three and contributing just one goal from the penalty spot in their opening game against Ghana.

His uninspiring performances saw him start the games against Switzerland and Morocco from the bench, but he could not rescue his side from elimination when he was called upon against the Atlas Lions.

Ronaldo has been training at Madrid’s training ground since Portugal’s World Cup exit to keep up his fitness while he continues the search for a new club.

Despite his insistence on continuing to play Champions League football, the only concrete offer on the table for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is from Saudi-based club Al Nassr who are offering him a three-year deal worth a whopping $225 million.