When Cristiano Ronaldo’s private plane was spotted landing at Manchester Airport, it sparked rumors among football fans that he may return to the city where he first gained notoriety.
The Jet of Cristiano Ronaldo Lands in Manchester
The Bombardier Global Express 6500 was seen on the runway at Manchester Airport. It was clearly identifiable by Ronaldo’s CR7 emblem and a silhouette of his famous goal celebration. Widespread interest was sparked when the airport’s official X (previously Twitter) account posted a photograph of the plane along with heart-eye and eye emoticons, revealing the sighting.
It’s still unknown, though, if the Portuguese superstar was on board at the time. It doesn’t appear realistic that he will be in Manchester given his recent obligations with Al-Nassr.
Recent Match Commitments Raise Questions About Cristiano Ronaldo’s Presence
The last time we saw Ronaldo in action was on Thursday, when he helped Al-Nassr defeat Al-Ahli 3-2 in the Saudi Pro League. Before being replaced in the second half, the 39-year-old played the most of the game.
Ronaldo is also anticipated to play for Al-Nassr in Monday’s AFC Champions League group-stage matchup against Iran’s Persepolis FC in Tehran. Although his jet’s presence alone was enough to send Manchester United supporters into a frenzy, these commitments cast doubt on his actual arrival in Manchester.
United supporters want that Cristiano Ronaldo return.
Many Manchester United fans turned to social media to demand Ronaldo’s repatriation after his jet’s surprise arrival sparked a wave of rumors.
“I hope he is coming to buy Man United,” a fan wrote with excitement. “He is coming for one last dance,” someone else commented. “Hopefully he’s coming to buy the club—he’s got more cash than Sir Jim [Ratcliffe] and the Glazers!” wrote a third fan, who even speculated on Ronaldo’s financial capacity to take over the team.
The Legendary Past of Manchester United
Ronaldo had a successful, contentious, and ultimately abrupt departure at Manchester United.
He earned his first Ballon d’Or in 2008 during his first stint at Old Trafford, which lasted from 2003 to 2009, and he assisted the team in winning several Premier League crowns as well as a Champions League championship. There was a lot of optimism when he returned in 2021, playing for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the time, but the reunion soon soured.
Ronaldo’s contract with United was terminated after an inflammatory TV appearance in which he lambasted the club’s administration and his disagreement with Erik ten Hag left him locked out of the squad.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Views on the Challenges Faced by Manchester United
Ronaldo has not held back from making remarks about United’s difficulties despite his tumultuous departure. He suggested that the club’s troubles go beyond coaching when he likened them to a “aquarium” during his speech at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards.
“The Premier League is the world’s most challenging league.” Every team is good; every team runs; every team fights; every team is powerful. Now, football is different. He said, “Easy games are no longer available.”
“They require… The coaches are not the issue, as I stated a year and a half ago and will continue to do. Similar to an aquarium, if you remove a sick fish to treat it and then put it back in the same water, it will get ill once more. Manchester United has the same issue. There is much more to it than the coach alone.
He also made a suggestion on how, if given the opportunity, he would handle things differently: “If I were the club’s owner, I would make things clear and adjust things that are bad there.”
The Shifting Leadership of Manchester United
There have been major management changes at Manchester United since Ronaldo left. In October 2024, Erik ten Hag was fired after leading the side to its worst-ever Premier League season start.
Ronaldo’s old friend from their days with the Portugal national team, Ruben Amorim, is his successor. Between 2010 and 2014, the 39-year-old manager—who was only nine days older than Ronaldo—moved from playing to coaching.
