The man who launched Cristiano Ronaldo’s career says the Portuguese striker won’t leave Real Madrid.

Laszlo Bolini, the manager who gave Ronaldo his first-team debut at Sporting Lisbon, believes any move away from Madrid would be a step down.

“I hope that Ronaldo never decides towards the end of his career to drop back down to a level he hasn’t played at for a very, very long time – a level which could only cause him harm,” the current Royal Antwerp manager said.

“I think he should, and will, finish his career at Real Madrid.”

Bolini became Sporting coach in 2001; that year, Ronaldo made his debut across various different youth categories at the club, before making his first-team debut the same season. His manager treated his star pupil with caution, moving him out wide to protect him.

“I moved him out to the wing because coming up against two 90kg centre-backs would have been a little too much for a boy of 16 or 17. Plus, he was better able to exploit his qualities out wide, without losing his effectiveness.”

Sir Alex Ferguson followed suit at Manchester United, where Ronaldo became one of the world’s best wingers, although in his later years at the club he was occasionally deployed as a striker as well, and he’s grown into an explosive player at that position.

“Today, he’s free to go where he wants,” Bolini says.

Since his Lisbon days, the Portuguese star has gone onto achieve greatness, and is the frontrunner to win FIFA’s Best Men’s Player for a second straight year. The award will be announced on Monday, and Boloni says that although he has the greatest respect for Lionel Messi, he hopes Ronaldo wins the gong.