Sporting CP could name stadium after Cristiano Ronaldo

President admitted in an interview

Posted Sunday, October 13, 2019 by Marca.com

Cristiano Ronaldo's career has always been closely linked with Sporting CP, the club he joined at the age of 12 before making his first-team debut in the 2002/03 season.

The forward scored his first goal for Sporting at their old stadium on October 7, 2002, against Moreirense, while at the opening of the Estadio Jose Alvalade, Cristiano's performance against Manchester United led to the English giants buying the teenager.

O regresso a casa de uma lenda 👑 @Cristiano Ronaldo! #SportingCP pic.twitter.com/0h1zo2FR7t
— Sporting Clube de Portugal (@Sporting_CP) October 11, 2019

Now, one day after the Portuguese legend scored his 700th career goal, Sporting's president, Frederico Varandas, has told Tuttosport that the Estadio Jose Alvalade could be named after Cristiano.

"Calling the stadium 'Cristiano Ronaldo' is an option that, right now, we are not against," Varandas explained to Tuttosport.

"It would be a source of great pride for us."

Cristiano played 31 times and scored five goals in the 2002/03 season, his last campaign before joining United.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is and always will be one of the great symbols in the club's history," Varanadas added.

"We are very proud to be associated with Cristiano and that the name of the best player of the world is associated with Sporting."

The current Juventus star spent five seasons in the youth system at Sporting, and Varanadas recognises that he wants the young players at the club to look up to Cristiano.

"We want him to be an example for those in our academy, we want his image to be present in the lives of our young players," he noted.

It should be remembered that, a few months ago, the option of the Estadio Jose Alvalade being named after Cristiano already made headlines in Portugal and Italy.

However, the news at the time indicated that, beyond the obvious tribute to the player, the 'CR7' brand would pay to give Sporting its name.

The Portuguese side are looking for ways to deposit money and selling the name of the stadium is a viable option, so allowing the 'CR7' brand to buy the stadium's naming rights would not only bring in funds but it would enable them to still honour the greatest player they have ever produced.