Legends returning to previous clubs include Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United comeback and Thierry Henry’s return to Arsenal

In the past, many fan-favorite players and club legends have returned for a second spell with their old clubs.

Whether it’s a last hurray or the fulfillment of an age-old promise, supporters love seeing their idols come home for the last time.

Players who have returned to their former clubs in recent years include Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry.

The two returned to Manchester United and Arsenal respectively and received a hero’s welcome from the fans.

“SunSport” takes a look at six football players who have returned to their old clubs as legends.

Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United

Signed as a lanky 18-year-old from Sporting Lisbon in 2003, Sir Alex Ferguson molded him into a prolific goalscorer and Ballon d’Or winner.

When his first spell at Manchester United ended in 2009, he won his first Ballon d’Or and scored 84 Premier League goals.

His performances earned Ronaldo a then world-record £80 million move to Real Madrid, where he won four more Ballon d’Ors and scored a staggering 450 goals.

After three years in Italy with Juventus, Ronaldo is on the transfer market again in 2021, with Manchester City reportedly close to signing him.

However, at the last minute, United suddenly snatched their former player from under the noses of their opponents, much to the delight of their supporters.

A brace on his comeback against Newcastle set the tone for a strong solo season for Ronaldo, who has scored 24 goals in all competitions.

The experienced striker left Old Trafford for a second time in November 2022 after a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.

Thierry Henry – Arsenal

In his first eight years at Arsenal, Henry grew from a young left-winger to a world-class striker.

The Frenchman scored 226 goals for the Gunners before moving to Spain and signing for Barcelona in 2007.

He spent three years in La Liga, scoring 35 goals in 80 appearances, before joining the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer.

But then he got the chance to return to where it all started, joining Arsenal on loan for a month in 2012.

Supporters couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw the news that Henry would once again pull on the famous red and white jersey.

The highlight of his return was his debut in north London, coming off the bench to score the winning goal against Leeds United in the FA Cup third round.

He also repeated the feat in Arsenal’s final game against Sunderland.

Didier Drogba – Chelsea

When Didier Drogba joined Chelsea FC for £24 million in 2004, few fans would have thought he would become a Chelsea legend.

Eight years later, however, he cemented his place in Blues folklore by scoring the winning penalty in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

He had previously equalized the score with a header in the 88th minute and then took a penalty kick.

After the final, he left Stamford Bridge and went on to play for Galatasaray and Shanghai Shenhua before returning to west London two years later.

Drogba spent much of the 2014/15 season as Diego Costa’s understudy, before announcing at the end of the season that he would leave again.

The striker was carried off by his teammates after being substituted in the 30th minute of the testimonial game against Sunderland on the final day.

Drogba scored a total of 164 goals during his two spells at Chelsea.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic – AC Milan

Although Zlatan Ibrahimovic played for nine clubs during his illustrious career, nowhere is he better remembered than AC Milan.

The former Sweden striker first joined the Italian giants on loan from Barcelona during the 2010/11 season before moving permanently.

That season he won the Serie A title with 28 league goals and won the Golden Boot before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2012.

Ibrahimovic remained one of the best players in the world during his time in France before playing for Manchester United and LA Galaxy.

However, he eventually returned to Milan to end his career and signed for the Rossoneri in January 2020, at the age of 38.

Before retiring in 2023, Ibrahimovic led Milan to their first Serie A title since winning the title in 2011, winning the title in 2022 over city rivals Inter Milan.

Sergio Ramos – Sevilla

Sergio Ramos progressed through Sevilla’s youth academy and broke into the first team in 2004 at the age of 18.

As a teenager, he made 49 appearances for the club, equaling his most in La Liga for a decade.

Ramos’ performances caught the attention of Real Madrid, who wanted to lure him away from his hometown club.

During 16 years in the Spanish capital, the defender made 671 appearances and won 22 major trophies, including four Champions League titles.

The World Cup winner headed to France for two seasons before making a thrilling return to Sevilla in 2023 aged 37, signing a one-year deal nearly two decades after his last appearance .

Joe Cole – West Ham United

Like Ramos, Joe Cole returns to the club where he began his career after going through West Ham’s legendary youth system.

After five years in the first team, he was sold to Chelsea in 2003 after the Hammers were relegated from the Premier League.

The midfielder won three league titles at Stamford Bridge before playing for Liverpool and Lille between 2010 and 2013.

However, when leaving Anfield, he chose to return to east London, joining West Ham United midway through the 2012/13 season.

Over the next 18 months, Cole scored five goals in 31 league games, helping the Hammers cement their status in the top flight.

Although Cole will move to Aston Villa in 2014, Cole is still highly regarded by West Ham fans.