"No one in Portugal can pay Ronaldo what he earns..."
Porto president Pinto da Costa does not believe that Cristiano Ronaldo will play in the Primeira Liga because his salary is too high and no Portuguese club could afford to sign him.
Manchester United terminated Ronaldo's contract and Real Madrid have offered him their facilities so that he can train and be in good form when his new destination is defined.
The player has several destinations for his future. Saudi Arabia is on his mind but, in Portugal, they would love to see Cristiano Ronaldo playing in their country. However, Porto president Pinto da Costa does not believe the player will return to his home country.
"It's up to him and the clubs interested. I don't think anyone in Portugal has the capacity to give him the salary he earns and wants to continue receiving," Da Costa said.
The Porto manager has no doubt that Ronaldo will continue to be paid a high salary because he deserves it: "He still has the quality for it," he added.
Otherwise, he also spoke about Pepe, whose contract expires in June 2023, and hinted that he will continue beyond that date: "I think he will play another five or six years. He is a competitive animal. There are not always possibilities for certain reinforcements. We don't want any of our strong group to leave," the Portuguese president concluded.