Sporting CP could Name their Stadium after Cristiano Ronaldo: Reports

Now, a stadium could be named after Cristiano Ronaldo. His boyhood club, Sporting CP are reportedly looking to name their stadium after the man who, starting his football career with them, went on to become one of the all time greatest in football.

The 34-year-old started his career at the Sporting youth academy, rose through the ranks to the first team for the first time in 2002-03 season, and was immediately spotted by Sir ALex Ferguson to be purchased by Manchester United. And the rest is history.

Apparently, it was at the inauguration of Estadio Jose Alvalade- Sporting CP’s current stadium- in August 2003 that Sporting Lisbon defeated Manchester United 3-1, where Ronaldo caught the eye of the legendary Manchester United manager, who immediately wanted to sign him.

Renaming the current Jose Alvalade Stadium was put forward by Sporting President and former medical staff director Frederico Varandas.

“It’s a theory we will not shelve and obviously we’d be very proud to have his name associated with us,” Varandas told Tuttosport.

“Cristiano is and always will be one of the greatest symbols in the history of our club. We’re already keeping his values on the walls of the youth academy, focusing on passion, sacrifice, discipline, leadership and determination.”

It has been 17 years now since Ronaldo last made an appearance for Sporting CP at the Sporting academy. He began his club career with Sporting and back in the 2002-2003 season, Ronaldo became their first player to play under-16, under-17 and under-18 teams, the B team, and the first team, all within a single season.

The club is thinking of naming the stadium after the iconic player after he retires from professional football- which according to Ronaldo, would not be anytime before he turns 40.

“Cristiano is certainly the best Portuguese player of all time and one of the best athletes in the history of the sport,” Varandasfurhter said of Ronaldo.