KEY POINTS

  • Cristiano Ronaldo is being linked to a move to Paris Saint-Germain as a potential Kylian Mbappe replacement
  • Ronaldo is more likely to consider a switch to either Sporting CP or Inter Miami, a report said
  • The 36-year-old has yet to comment on the idea of leaving Serie A for Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain may not be a possible destination for Cristiano Ronaldo in the future.

Following the stunning transfer of Lionel Messi from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, rumors began swirling around the sport that Ronaldo, his ultimate rival, is also being targeted as a suitable replacement for PSG star Kylian Mbappe.

However, the said narrative may be far-fetched as Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb reported that a move to either Sporting CP or MLS side Inter Miami is more plausible for Ronaldo. International Business Times could not independently verify this information.

Like Messi, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has also been on the radar of Inter Miami, and the said interest has not changed to this day. The U.S.-based club is still hoping to land Ronaldo, “but only at the end of his contract with Juventus next June,” the report said.

Apart from Inter Miami, a return to his boyhood club Sporting CP “has also been considered” by Ronaldo and his entourage, according to the report. However, like with Inter Miami, a switch to the Portuguese side is also expected to only materialize after the striker’s contract with Juventus expires, Portuguese press said.

The idea of PSG bringing in Ronaldo has been a hot topic in Ligue 1 after Messi arrived in Paris.

The rivalry between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo came to define La Liga as much as that between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Ronaldo left in 2018
The rivalry between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo came to define La Liga as much as that between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Ronaldo left in 2018 AFP / Josep LAGO

Revealing his thoughts on the matter, PSG veteran Angel Di Maria assumed that Ronaldo too is yearning to join the Parisians. However, he also pointed out that it was “much better” that PSG managed to sign his fellow Argentine than the Juventus star.

"[Lionel] Messi is from another planet,” Di Maria exclusively told TyC Sports. “You throw a stone at him and he would control it, he beats a man like it is nothing, he thinks quicker than anyone. I have never seen anything like it. I've played with Cristiano [Ronaldo], Neymar, Mbappe, [Wayne] Rooney, [Robin] Van Persie, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, [Karim] Benzema, [Gareth] Bale, and honestly I've never seen anything like him.”

"The quality and quantity that PSG have now [are] unique,” he stressed. “It doesn't happen often at a club and the best players always want to be with the best. For sure Cristiano would like to be here, but they brought Messi, and luckily, that's much better."

Ronaldo’s Portugal teammate Jose Fonte, meanwhile, recently revealed the 36-year-old’s real stance on a potential move to France.

According to Fonte, he has been trying to convince Ronaldo to come and join him at Lille, but he only gets a “ha ha ha” response.

"I feel great because it's incredible to hear a player like Lionel Messi is in French football, in our league,” Fonte told TalkSport. "It's exciting. Obviously, in terms of competitors, it's going to be even harder for us, but we're up for a challenge - I'm texting Cristiano to come to Lille every day! He's only replied 'ha ha ha.'"

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