With his exit from Old Trafford confirmed, GOAL takes a look at which clubs may be interested in signing the five-time Ballon d'Or winner
"There was no other choice," as Wayne Rooney elegantly put it recently. As soon as Cristiano Ronaldo took the decision to reveal all in an 'interview' with professional wind-up merchant Piers Morgan, it was evident that his second spell at Old Trafford was destined to come to a messy end.
Football stops for no one though, and within minutes of his exit being confirmed the rumour mill had already begun churning out possible landing spots for the only free agent playing at the World Cup.
But where will he land? Will he stay in the Premier League? Is there a Champions League club willing to give him a chance? Or will he leave Europe for the first time in his career?
If you're struggling to keep track of all of Ronaldo's options, GOAL has you covered…
Getty ImagesPSG
Lionel Messi and Ronaldo, together at last?! If this one comes off, there's a good chance it good break the internet. However, you shouldn't get your hopes up just yet.
Not only are PSG ridiculously stacked up front already, it's hard to imagine de-facto sporting director Kylian Mbappe signing off on Ronaldo's arrival. He'd likely butt heads with Messi and Neymar too.
We know PSG love star power, but this might just be overkill.
AdvertisementGettyRoma
Few managers have got more out of Ronaldo than Jose Mourinho, and the Roma boss would likely jump at the chance of a reunion – especially considering Tammy Abraham's recent struggles in front of goal.
Unfortunately for the Special One, club director Tiago Pinto seemed to quash these rumours before they even had time to pick up traction in November.
"One of the things that irritates me about Italy is that they are constantly talking about the transfer market," he told the Thinking Football Summit.
"The truth is that Cristiano Ronaldo was never a possibility. These rumours had no foundation. But in Italy they talk every day about three different players linked with your club. I understand it was natural to link us because Mourinho and I are both Portuguese, and so is Cristiano. But as I said, there was never any substance in it."
Perhaps he'll change his mind now there's no transfer fee to pay…
GettyArsenal
Arsenal finally resemble a functioning football club this season, but that has not stopped onlookers touting Ronaldo for a move to the Emirates Stadium.
It is very, very, very difficult to envisage this happening, though. Mikel Arteta has very publically iced out well-paid veterans like Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang recently, and Ronaldo simply does not fit Edu's recruitment profile.
It's a bit of a ridiculous notion to be honest.
GettyNapoli
Napoli have been the surprise package in Europe this season, romping to an eight-point lead in Serie A without losing a game.
Gli Azzurri aren't the best of friends with Juventus – one of the forward's former clubs – so his arrival would likely rub some supporters up the wrong way. Additionally, Luciano Spalletti's success this season has been a result of a collective effort.
Would bringing in a 37-year-old Ronaldo upset the balance? Most probably, yes. There's also a question of whether Napoli could even afford him in the first place.