Sporting Lisbon Considering Naming Stadium After Cristiano Ronaldo

A goal away from reaching 700 career goals, the former Real Madrid star was promoted to Sporting CP’s senior team at the age of 16 and made his Primeira Liga debut a year later against Moreirense, scoring two goals in a 3–0 win.

He made 31 first-team appearances for the club before joining Manchester United after impressing in a friendly match between the Red Devils and Sporting CP in August 2003.

The Primeira Liga side’s home venue is currently named after founder, Jose Alvalade, and has been known as such since 1956.

The 50,000-capacity Estádio José Alvalade could be named the Cristiano Ronaldo Arena or CR7 Arena in honour of the Portuguese forward.

Sporting CP’s youth system has also produced the likes of Luis Figo, Nani, Simao and Ricardo Quaresma.

According to Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas, the club would be "very proud" to name their stadium after Cristiano Ronaldo.

"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, as per Football Italia.

"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”.

“Cristiano is certainly the best Portuguese player of all time and one of the best athletes in the history of the sport."

Cristiano Ronaldo already has an international airport named after him in his hometown of Madeira, as well as his own museum.

But 'The Cristiano Ronaldo Stadium' would undoubtedly be the ultimate honour for the 34-year old.