‘Ronaldo wants to return to England’

Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo may be in line for a return to the Premier League, according to personal friend and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Jose Semedo.

The 30-year-old was interviewed in the wake of Wednesday's 3-0 thumping of Arsenal, and revealed that “deep down” he feels the former Manchester United man will be back before he retires.

"He is very happy at Real Madrid,” Semedo told talkSPORT. "But he loves English football, he loves English people and, deep down, I think he will come back to England.

"He doesn't want to finish his career without coming back. He said he wishes Real Madrid were based in England, but that's not possible so I believe he will end his career in England."

Ronaldo made 292 appearances in all competitions for Manchester United during his six-year stay in England, before moving to Spain, La Liga for a then-record £80 million (€94 million) in June 2009.

Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo (R) is pictured with manager Alex Ferguson during a training session. File Photo: AFP