Homecoming king Cristiano Ronaldo eyes European century on his return to Sporting Lisbon

Fresh from vanquishing Atletico Madrid with his 39th Real Madrid hat-trick, Cristiano Ronaldo will be guaranteed a hero’s welcome when he returns to where his career began at Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday.

Ronaldo has another landmark in his sights as he is just two goals short of 100 in European competitions and history suggests he won’t go easy on the side that handed him his breakthrough.

The three-time World Player of the Year has scored on all five occasions he has faced his former clubs in the Champions League, netting twice against Sporting for Manchester United in 2007 and as Real produced a stunning late fightback from 1-0 down with 89 minutes played to win 2-1 when the sides met back in September.

Despite that Ronaldo is still loved by the Sporting faithful and leading Portugal to their first ever international tournament win at Euro 2016 has only embellished his hero status in his homeland.

“Divided heart,” ran the headline in Lisbon sports daily Record on Monday with a split picture of Ronaldo wearing a Sporting and Real jersey.