Tom Brady has shocked the NFL world by coming out of retirement after just 40 days in the off-season. Maybe he took inspiration from fellow veteran GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo? That’s one theory going around today.
Although it seems unlikely, but Brady was in attendance at Old Trafford on Saturday to see the Man United striker bag a hat trick against Spurs.
Ronaldo opened the scoring with a ferocious effort early on before adding two more to score his 59th career hat trick.
With his three goals, Ronaldo broke the FIFA record for most goals scored in competitive matches.
Similarly, Tom Brady is the holder of some incredible NFL records. Both of these stars have demonstrated outstanding longevity and hunger for success – putting them at the very top of their respective sports.
The legendary quarterback and the Portuguese hero met on the pitch after the match, where Ronaldo provided some accidental investigative journalism.
Cristiano Ronaldo gets the scoop
The pair’s brief exchange was caught on camera. Meeting post-match, Ronaldo kindly signed a shirt for Brady’s son. In amongst the polite small talk, the Portuguese forward asked Tom Brady an innocent question: “You’re finished, right?”
A telling facial expression was all that Brady offered in response.
The former New England Patriot gave an expression that could only suggest he was back-tracking on retirement. Sure enough, the following day, he confirmed the news on social media.
Tom Brady announces return
Tom Brady took to social media to announce his shock U-turn. He wrote: “These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands. That time will come. But it’s not now.”
The quarterback then confirmed that he will be returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team with which he won his seventh Super Bowl.
“I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa,” Brady confirms. “Unfinished business LFG [let’s f*****g go].”
Despite leaving the NFL, Brady’s return does not make him a free agent to sign for other teams. His U-turn can only be with the Florida franchise unless he is traded.
His current contract pays Brady $10.4 million as a placeholder year. However, there is potential for an extension from the Buccaneers to increase this following his decision to play.
The GOAT’s return will undoubtedly shake up the QB market this off-season, which has already seen trades for Russell Wilson and Carson Wentz. In addition, the Buccaneers will likely take themselves out of the trade market for Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson.
At age 45, the evergreen Tom Brady is not ready to hang up his cleats just yet.