Spanish newspaper Cadena Ser has reported that Portuguese and Real Madrid star, Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his desire to return to England as his frustration over an investigation into his tax returns continues.
Ronaldo, who played for Manchester United between 2003 and 2009, has denied charges of evading tax and hiding details of his income from the Spanish tax authorities. Prosecutors allege Ronaldo evaded €14.7 million (£13.1m) in tax.
The 32-year-old claims that, contrary to the argument of the Public Prosecutor, the transfer of his image rights to a company he owned took place in 2004 and not in 2010 just after he joined Real. Since 2015 the player said his image rights had been granted to an independent third party, registered in Spain that pays tax for him.
Ronaldo, who earlier this week appeared at a magistrates court in Madrid suburb to answer the charges, has reiterated his innocent plea and reportedly said during the court hearing that life was more straightforward in Manchester.
In quotes carried by Cadena Ser, Ronaldo said: "I never had this problem in England, that's why I'd like to go back.
"I remember when I arrived in England and they told me that that's how things worked. I went to Manchester as an 18-year-old and they advised me this was the best system I could use, just like the other players did. In Spain they told me I'd have to pay more but that there'd be no problems.
"I've always paid what I've had to pay.''
Ronaldo has scored more than 400 goals for La Liga champions Real since arriving in 2009 and won three Premier League titles and the Champions League with United.
