Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has gestured for Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane to return to the club one day.
The club lost both Zidane and Ronaldo this summer, with the duo leaving the Bernabeu shortly after helping Real win the Champions League for a third consecutive campaign.
Ronaldo has chosen to chase a new challenge with Juve but, so far, is yet to find his best form in Turin.
Zidane, succeeded by Julen Lopetegui, decided on walking away to take a sabbatical. He has since been heavily linked with the Manchester United job.
Lopetegui has lost just once since taking over – against Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup last month.
Perez was criticised by many Real Madrid fans when both men left the club.
But Florentino Perez has now revealed both men would be welcome back at any time.
“There are two figures that I want to refer to the worthy successor of [Alfredo] Di Stefano and the club's top scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo,” he said.
“During nine seasons, he has been a benchmark and his achievements will be recounted from generation to generation.
“He is an example for all those who wear the Real shirt and those who have the dream of doing so in the future. Thank you very much, Cristiano.
“Another of our great references is and always will be Zidane.
“As a coach, he has entered the history books as a giant of Real Madrid. He won nine titles in less than three years, with three Champions League triumphs.
“Zidane is Real Madrid and he knows, along with Cristiano, that this is their house forever. Thanks, Zizou.”
The possibility of both men returning, however, look a long way off.
This article was most recently revised and updated 5 years ago
