World player of the year and former Red Devil Cristiano Ronaldo confessed he considered returning to Manchester United in the summer.
Ronaldo who won the 2013 Ballon d’Or in Zurich for the second time after claiming the award way back in 2008 as a United player.
The 28-year-old left Manchester United for Real Madrid very next year in a world-record £80m fee at that time.
But Ronaldo recently revealed that Rio Ferdinand had called him in the off-season to try and convince him to return to Old Trafford.
“It was true that Rio Ferdinand spoke to me a lot to try and make me come back to United,” FIFA world player of the Year revealed.
“Rio is a great friend of mine, we played many years together at Manchester United and we were neighbours when I was there.
“He’s a fantastic guy and tried to change my mind to go back to Manchester.
“I did think about United, they are still in my heart. It’s a club where I played for six years, I love the club.
“I have a lot friends there and I wish them the best.”
“I did think about United, they are still in my heart. It’s a club where I played for six years, I love the club.”
The Real Madrid winger scored astounding 69 goals in 59 matches during 2013 and also helped Portugal secure their place in next year’s World Cup finals by scoring all four goals in their 4-2 aggregate play-off victory over Sweden.
The Portugal captain received 1,365 points in the Ballon d’Or voting, while Barcelona’s Lionel Messi who finished second won 1,205 and Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery with 1,127 points came third.
After picking up the award, an emotional Ronaldo, said: “I have no words to describe this moment. Thanks to all of my team-mates at Real Madrid and the national team.
“Without all of their efforts this would not have been possible. I am very happy, it is very difficult to win this award.
“Everybody that has been involved with me on a personal level I have to thank. My partner, my friends, my son. It is a tremendously emotional moment.”
