The celebrations in Istanbul lasted all night.As dawn broke, the entire Manchester United team, carrying the Champions League trophy, boarded a private plane and returned to Manchester.
On the plane, most of the exhausted players were fast asleep, their faces still bearing the satisfied smiles of victory.Cristiano Ronaldo, however, was wide awake.He sat by the window, his fingers gently brushing against the Champions League trophy on the seat beside him, the cool touch so real.
Outside the porthole, the sea of clouds churned, the sunlight gilding them with a golden edge.But his thoughts had already flown back to Manchester, back to that hospital room.
As the plane landed, Manchester Airport was already surrounded by tens of thousands of Manchester United fans.When the players emerged from the plane carrying the trophy, the deafening cheers almost shattered the windows.Red flags, tears of joy, frenzied shouts.the entire city was in a frenzy for their heroes.
But Ronaldo didn't linger at the airport.After making the necessary appearance and a brief interview, he carried the trophy and, escorted by club staff and security, got directly into a car to the hospital.
Outside the hospital's VIP ward, all was quiet.Cristiano Ronaldo gently pushed open the door.
Sir Alex Ferguson leaned against the hospital bed, looking somewhat better than before.When he saw them come in, especially when he saw the gleaming silver trophy in Cristiano Ronaldo's hand, his eyes lit up instantly, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up in a smile.
"Boss," Ronaldo walked to the bedside and carefully placed the heavy trophy in Ferguson's arms as if it were the most precious offering, "we brought it back."
Ferguson's hands trembled slightly as he stroked the cold engravings on the trophy, over and over again.He looked up at the boy before him, his face youthful yet his eyes resolute, returning home covered in dust and glory, and his eyes instantly welled up with tears.
He didn't say "thank you" or "well done." He simply extended his other hand, the one without the IV drip, and firmly grasped Ronaldo's hand.Everything was understood without words.
At that moment, Ronaldo felt all his fatigue and pressure vanish.This trophy, this journey home, had finally come to a perfect end.
A few days later, Manchester hosted a grand championship parade.As the open-top bus carrying the players and the trophy drove through the bustling streets, Cristiano Ronaldo stood at the very front, enjoying the highest tribute the industrial city bestowed upon him.
Looking down at the endless red ocean and listening to the deafening "Viva Ronaldo" song, he was filled with indescribable emotions.
This was his first full season since his rebirth.He won the FA Cup, won the Champions League, finished third in the Ballon d'Or, and, more importantly, truly grew into the leader and soul of the team.
However, as he looked up at Manchester's not-so-clear sky, his gaze seemed to pierce through the clouds and reach into a more distant place.
Istanbul is the end, but also the beginning.
He knew the road ahead was still long.Further ahead lay more challenges, more trophies, and the ultimate, personal throne—the Golden Globe Award—waiting for him to conquer.
The journey has no end.
P.S.: This story has come to a this far , but Cristiano Ronaldo's legendary journey is far from over.His subsequent dynasty at Manchester United, his dramatic transfer to Real Madrid, and the ups and downs of his national team career—stay tuned for MASS RELEASES OF CHAPTERS