Sporting president hopes Ronaldo ends career with club

While Cristiano Ronaldo talks about the prospect of playing another 10 years in Spain, Sporting Lisbon president Bruno de Carvalho is hopeful the Real Madrid star will return to where it all began.

After rising through the ranks at the Portuguese club, Ronaldo went on to become one of the world's premier players with Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Ronaldo and Real Madrid will begin their Champions League title defence against Sporting at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium Wednesday, with the Portuguese side's president confessing he would "love" to see Ronaldo make a return to the club that gave him his first professional opportunity as a 16-year-old.

"Yes, without a doubt, I would love for Ronaldo to end his career here, at home," Carvalho told Marca, as translated by ESPNFC.

"He represents a lot for us and it would be beautiful if he could end his career here. He is a world ambassador. He always speaks well about us and how fond he is of us."

While a return to Sporting may not occur for some time, Ronaldo described the chance to play his old team as a "privilege" ahead of Wednesday's encounter.

"It's a special match, it's a special team. I wanted to draw Sporting again, because I think they have a good team, they have a good coach, and it will be another special moment in my life," he told UEFA.

Ronaldo previously played against Los Leoes in the Champions League when he was with United in 2007.