Second time around: Cristiano Ronaldo joins ranks of icons who returned to the team that made them famous
They say you can never go home again, but that’s not entirely true. Well, at least not in the sports world. On Thursday, it was announced that Cristiano Ronaldo would be returning to Manchester United — the club where he developed into a bonafide superstar — 12 years after leaving Old Trafford to join Real Madrid.
While Ronaldo is the latest, the footballer is far from the first icon to return to their roots (LeBron James, Randy Moss, Allen Iverson and Ichiro Suzuki, to name a few).
Was the second time playing for the franchise for which they emerged as an icon as fruitful as the first? As with anything else, it’s a mixed bag, but some of these stars went home again and thrived.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United
Why he left: After six years with Man U, in which Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 games and developed from an inexperienced young winger to the best footballer on the planet, he joined Real Madrid for a world-record transfer fee at the time, of £80 million (€94 million).
While he was away… So. Much. Success. During his third season in Spain, Ronaldo helped Real Madrid win their first LaLiga title in four years, scoring 46 goals in league play. In the 2013-14 season, Ronaldo scored a record 17 UEFA Champions League goals en route to La Décima. He continued his trend of dominance with a personal best of 61 goals in all competitions during the 2014-15 season. At the start of the 2015-16 campaign, his seventh season at Real Madrid, Ronaldo became the club’s all-time top scorer, first in the league and then in all competitions. As if his four Champions League crowns, three Club World Cups and UEFA Super Cups apiece, two LaLiga titles, a pair of Copas del Rey and two Spanish Super Cups weren’t enough, he also racked up four Ballon d’Or trophies. Did we mention this was all before Ronaldo departed for Juventus in 2018? In his three seasons in Turin, he earned two league titles, one Coppa Italia, one Italian Super Cup, two Serie A player of the year awards and a top scorer prize.
When he returned…: On August 27, 2021 — after nearly going to Manchester City — 36-year-old Ronaldo agreed to return to Old Trafford in a two-year, €15 million deal with a potential further €8m in add-ons.
How it went: TBD.
Thierry Henry, Arsenal
Why he left: Henry, Arsenal’s all-time leading goal scorer, left in 2007 after eight years in North London when he was transferred to Barcelona. His last season with the Gunners was marred by injuries.
While he was away…: In his first season with Barcelona, he led the team in goals scored. The next season, Henry helped lead Barca to a Champions League title. From 2010-2014, he was with the New York Red Bulls in MLS.
When he returned…: He returned to Arsenal on a two-month loan in 2012, to help fill a hole for the Gunners.
Homecoming quote:
“I am not coming here to be a hero or prove anything. I am just coming here to help. People have to understand that. .. “It is unreal to be honest. But when it comes to Arsenal, my heart will always do the talking. I always said I was never going to come back and play in Europe again but when the team you love and support asks you back, it’s kind of hard to say ‘no.'” — Henry
How it went: Henry returned for a brief two-month stint, which was highlighted by his last game on loan, when he scored the game-winning goal. He then returned to the Red Bulls and retired in 2014.
Kaká, AC Milan
Why he left: Kaká left Sao Paulo, a club in his native Brazil, for AC Milan on an €8.5 million transfer in 2003 and quickly established himself as one of the greats of European football, scoring 70 goals in six seasons. He scored 10 goals in UEFA Champions League play in 2006-07, leading Milan to its last Champions League title. He left for Real Madrid in 2009 on an €67 million transfer, the second-most expensive at that time.
While he was away…: Kaká shrugged off nagging injuries to record 29 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid, the most ever for a Brazilian-born player in La Liga. Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey in 2010-11 and La Liga in 2011-12.
When he returned…: Kaká returned to AC Milan on a free transfer in 2013, signing a €4 million contract. He was immediately named vice captain.
Homecoming quote:
“I had been working on this deal for 48 months. Basically I have dreamt of bringing Ricky back from the moment he left!” — AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani
How it went: Kaká injured his left abductor muscle in his first competitive game, delaying the comeback. He had moments during the 2013-14 season, scoring seven goals for AC Milan, but signed with Orlando City of the MLS after the season. He played his final three seasons for Orlando City and Sao Paulo
