BARCELONA manager Xavi has hinted at a shock move for Cristiano Ronaldo as he sung his former rival’s praises.
The Portuguese forward is now a free agent after he agreed with Manchester United to mutually rip up his contract.
This came after his explosive interview with Piers Morgan saw him attack the club and make his position untenable.
While Ronaldo’s focus will currently be on Portugal’s World Cup campaign, the 37-year-old will eventually have to turn his attention back to club life.
Big money appears to be on the table if he were to make a move to the middle east.
But it appears there could still be a future for him at one of Europe’s biggest club if he wishes to stay closer to home.
Xavi has made clear his admiration for the star who he faced several times as a player.
According to Sports.Ru, the Barca boss was originally answering a question on Lionel Messi’s potential return to the Nou Camp before bringing up Ronaldo.
He said: “If Messi wants to, he will certainly be able to return to Barça at some point. Who wouldn’t want to train him?
“He’s still number one. Cristiano Ronaldo is also still among the 3-5 best players on the planet.”
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Xavi would have seen Ronaldo at close quarters several times during his playing days when they clashed in several pivotal El Clasico games.
Ronaldo, who played for Real Madrid for nine years, could provide the perfect boost to help Barcelona get over the line in the La Liga title race.
The Catalan club led Madrid by two points heading into the World Cup break.
If he were to make a shock switch to the Nou Camp, it would also raise the potential for him to have an instant reunion with United and Erik ten Hag in the Europa League.
Ronaldo would likely command big wages but Barcelona have not been shy in recent times about landing big names despite their widely-reported financial issues.
