SI report: Sources say Cristiano Ronaldo plans to play in MLS in 2018

Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl is a well-connected reporter, and his word carries significant weight.

So when he reports that multiple sources tell him Cristiano Ronaldo plans to come to Major League Soccer on a free transfer in 2018, it does more to validate the “CR7 to MLS” rumors than many dreaming MLS fans could hope.

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It’s well down the line, but Real Madrid’s Ballon d’Or winner could be coming Stateside.

In Wahl’s “Insider Notes” column on Tuesday, he said this:

File this one for down the road, but multiple sources tell me that Cristiano Ronaldo’s current plan is to come to MLS after he finishes at Real Madrid, with one source saying he would likely arrive on a free transfer in 2018 once his current contract ends.

Wahl drops Miami, New York and Los Angeles as destinations for the then 33-year-old wizard.

Ronaldo’s agent has claimed that the Portuguese star would retire after his time at Real Madrid draws to a close, but reports of his future arrival in MLS -- including with David Beckham’s Miami club should it come to fruition -- are nothing new.

2018, though? Life is what happens when you’re making plans, Cristiano.

Follow @NicholasMendola