Ronaldo Won't 'close door' on England

Cristiano Ronaldo says he would happily sign a ten-year contract at Real Madrid, but he is not ruling out a return to the Premier League.

After leaving Sporting in 2003, Ronaldo rose to global prominence during a six-year spell with Manchester United, but he had long made clear his desire to join Real Madrid when he left Old Trafford for the Bernabeu in a world-record £80 million deal in 2009.

However, asked about a potential return to England, he told Sky Sports News: "I don't close the door, so maybe in the future I hope so, because I know the league, I know the players, I know the atmosphere.

"Why not? I hope so one day, but you never know. The team that I like more in England is Manchester but I cannot say that I am going to play there one day because I am very, very happy in Madrid.

"I've said a few times that, if Madrid want, I can sign for ten years more until the finish of my career but nobody knows the future. I cannot lie to you and say I will stay here ten years, that I am not going to come back to Manchester. It is not fair on my part. Let's see what future God has prepared for me."

Ronaldo said he misses playing for Manchester United and still keeps in regular contact with Sir Alex Ferguson.

"I said a few times that to play for Real Madrid was my dream - as it was for Manchester too," he said. "For me they are the best clubs in the world, apart from maybe Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal, Milan.

"I'm really happy with what I did in Manchester because I don't forget the six years that I passed there. I have a lot of friends there. Sir Alex Ferguson is my second dad - he helped me a lot to improve and now Mr Mourinho too because they are experienced managers who win many things, so for me they are the best coaches.

"I have good memories from Manchester and when I watch sometimes the games I miss it a lot because it's part of me I left in England. Just because I play in Madrid I'm not going to miss speaking with the old guys so, when I have an opportunity, I speak with Sir Alex Ferguson.

"It was important for me when I played there, when my life was there, so it is good to speak with him because I'll never forget who really helped me."

Even so, Ronaldo said he left England as he felt that - having won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and two League Cups as well as the Champions League and Club World Cup - it was time to move on.

"There is a beginning and end to everything - what I did in Manchester is completely finished because I won almost everything there," he said. "I always try for a new challenge. To move from Manchester to Madrid is not about the contract - it is about a new challenge, being close to my family, different weather, the language.

"The most important reason why I moved is the challenge because I really like to put myself under pressure to see what I can do, but I really miss the Premier League - for me it is along with the Spanish league the best league in the world."