Cristiano Ronaldo Doesn't Need Manchester United Reunion to Cement Legacy

Cristiano Ronaldo may have voiced his desire to one day return to Manchester United, but the Portuguese superstar doesn't need a Premier League reunion to cement his already impressive legacy.

Speaking to the press at a promotional event, Ronaldo went out of his way to explain how much he loved Manchester, the club and the great memories he has of his time in England. As reported by the Daily Mail's Riath Al-Samarrai, he said:

"

I love Manchester.

Everyone knows that — I have said it many times. Manchester is in my heart. I left many good friends there, the supporters are amazing and I wish I can come back one day.

I am happy here in Real Madrid and have four more years, but in the future you never know because they treated me unbelievably there.
I really did love being at Manchester United. Believe me, they will be a good team again, I’m sure of it. It is a great club.

"

Coupled with recent quotes regarding the club's transfer policies (per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan), speculation immediately ran rampant that Ronaldo could be on his way back to the club he played for when he rose to stardom: Manchester United.

Fans of multiple sports immediately had to think of another superstar who announced his return to a former club earlier this year—LeBron James, the world's greatest basketball player who moved from the Miami Heat to the Cleveland Cavaliers, news he revealed in a touching personal letter, via Sports Illustrated.

The Cavaliers were a team in turmoil, loitering away at the bottom of the NBA standings. Not unlike the Red Devils, they had a number of pieces but were missing that one star, the leader, to become a contender.

With James, they're now one of the favourites to win this year's NBA title. Ronaldo would have a similar impact on United—leading all of the star power they brought in during the summer to dominance in the Premier League, once again.

Ty Wright/Getty Images

But unlike James, Ronaldo doesn't have a legacy to worry about. The basketball star went to Miami to pursue championships, something he couldn't do in Cleveland. Now, he returns to bring the city the title it has been longing for. That's his legacy.

Ronaldo won plenty with the Mancunians. Three Premier League titles and a Champions League rank as the top honours, and he added an FA Cup and two League Cups for good measure.

He doesn't owe United anything. He gave his all for the club, who in turn nurtured him into the world-class forward he is today, and Real Madrid paid the Red Devils a hefty sum for his services.

Ronaldo has kept on, winning both individual and club honours. His legacy is that of arguably the greatest player of his generation, and his battle with Lionel Messi is one of the greatest single rivalries in all of sports.

The Portuguese international has to think about one thing, and one thing only at this stage of his career—what's best for him. If he believes a move to Manchester United, to play with "top player" Radamel Falcao (per Record, h/t to AS) is the right way to go, then that's what he should do:

If he decides to stay in the Spanish capital and team up with the likes of Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez, no one will blame him. Certainly not fans of the Red Devils, who to this day only express gratitude for what he did for the club.

Either way, his legacy is safe. Sure, he could only build on it by one day returning to Old Trafford, but he shouldn't worry about the pressure of saving his old club right now. Nobody will blame him for deciding to do what's best for him, regardless of the choice he makes.

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