Some eagled-eyed followers of Cristiano Ronaldo on Instagram saw a nod to his boyhood club, with a Sporting Lisbon gift bag taking pride of place under his Christmas tree.
Ronaldo posted a picture of himself and his family sitting on their staircase in a yuletide snap to his 382 million followers, with the green bag placed under the tree.
His mother, Dolores Aveiro, is a big fan of the Portuguese club and expressed her desire for Ronaldo to return to the club where it all began before he retires.
"I've already told him: 'Son, before I die I want to see you return to Sporting,'" she said in a recent Sporting Lisbon ADN de Leao podcast.
But if the Portuguese megastar doesn't make it back to Sporting, then she hopes her son, better known as 'Cristianinho,' will head to the José Alvalade Stadium.
Ronaldo senior progressed through the ranks at Sporting, before heading to United for his first trophy-laden spell at the club in 2003.
He has since gone onto to reach incredible heights in the game, winning five Champions Leagues as well as league titles in England, Spain and Italy.
His focus is now firmly on Manchester United, and the 36-year-old has been one of the shining lights of an otherwise disappointing season.
Ronaldo and co are set to return to league action tonight when they take on Newcastle United at St James' Park.
Ralf Rangnick's side are currently seventh with 27 points from 16 games and nine points adrift of Arsenal in fourth, albeit with three games in hand over the Gunners.
After tonight's match in Tyneside, the Red Devils host Burnley at Old Trafford this coming Thursday.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, sporting lisbon, Cristiano Ronaldo