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WORLD FOOTBALL

    Jose Mourinho Says Signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid Is 'Prohibited'

    Rory Marsden@@roomarsdenX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistMay 18, 2018

    LA CORUNA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 23: Head coach Jose Mourinho (L) of Real Madrid CF gives instructions to Cristiano Ronaldo (2ndl) on the desk during the La Liga match between RC Deportivo La Coruna and Real Madrid CF at Riazor Stadium on February 23, 2013 in La Coruna, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
    Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

    Jose Mourinho has ruled out the possibility of Manchester United re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid because he believes the Spanish giants would not sell their star player.

    The Portuguese superstar continues to be Los Blancos' most potent attacking threat, and Mourinho said Ronaldo will stay at the Santiago Bernabeu until potentially moving to Major League Soccer, per Portuguese newspaper Record (via MailOnline's Jaime Wright): "I believe that Real Madrid cannot sell him. It is prohibited. He has to stay until the moment they authorise him to go and play one year in America or anywhere else that he wants to enjoy. It is a closed door."

    When asked about the possibility of Ronaldo, 33, returning to Old Trafford, where he played from 2003 until 2009, Mourinho said: "I don't think so, but all the people know his history in Manchester, the passion they have for him and that there are players in the world who, if the clubs have the possibility of signing, will not say no."

    Ronaldo has enjoyed another stellar season at Real in 2017-18. Since joining the Madrid giants from United for a then-world-record £80 million fee in 2009, he has scored at least 25 league goals each season.

    When playing under Mourinho at Real between 2010 and 2013, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner won the first of his two La Liga titles, with the second coming last season.

    Jose Mourinho Says Signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid Is 'Prohibited'
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    Real have long been out of the running for the Spanish title this term, but they do have the chance to win the UEFA Champions League for a third year in a row when they take on Liverpool in the final in Kiev on May 26.

    There have been concerns that Ronaldo may miss the clash at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, but manager Zinedine Zidane has guaranteed the forward will be fit, per ESPN FC:

    ESPN FC @ESPNFC

    Cristiano Ronaldo will be "150 percent" fit for the UCL final, according to Zinedine Zidane: https://t.co/ukEb72gvOt https://t.co/SSO7wGK7id

    Ronaldo was a three-time Premier League champion under Sir Alex Ferguson at United and continues to be held in huge regard by the Old Trafford faithful, per football writer Andy Mitten:

    Andy Mitten @AndyMitten

    Chants of 'Viva Ronaldo' going around Old Trafford. It's not encouragement for his annual flirtation, more that he stops Liverpool winning the European Cup.

    He also won the Champions League with the Red Devils in 2008 and would become a five-time winner of the famous trophy if Real prevail in Ukraine, eclipsing Barcelona rival Lionel Messi and matching the achievements of Alfredo Di Stefano, Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta.