Brady may have let slip his comeback plans when chatting with Ronaldo on Saturday.
Tom Brady is back. Just six weeks after announcing his retirement, Brady, one of the finest players in NFL history, has confirmed he will return for another season – his 23rd – with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tom Brady announces retirement U-turn.
“These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands,” the 44-year-old said in a brief statement shared on his social media accounts.
“That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family.
“They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG.”
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. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG pic.twitter.com/U0yhRKVKVm
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 13, 2022
Ahead of announcing the news, Brady had been in England, where some believe he let the cat out of the bag during a conversation with Cristiano Ronaldo.
He was in attendance at Old Trafford to see Ronaldo’s hat-trick help Manchester United to a 3-2 win over Tottenham, and was seen speaking to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner after the game.
Thanks to @ManUtd and the Glazer family for hosting me and my boys yesterday. So lucky to be able to share experiences like this with them. pic.twitter.com/GDofXNZpfW
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 13, 2022
Tom Brady and Cristiano Ronaldo.
After giving Brady’s son his match shirt, footage shows Ronaldo asking the former New England Patriots quarterback if he had retired.
“You’re finished, right?'” he asks. But instead of confirming what the rest of the world thought they already knew, he gives a smile before uttering something the camera doesn’t quite pick up.
With his comeback now announced, many have interpreted this as a sign that his decision had already been made before he set foot inside Old Trafford.
“You’re finished, right?” – @Cristiano Ronaldo to @TomBrady merely hours ago.
Tom Brady is not finished as he announces his return to the @Buccaneers. pic.twitter.com/jZOqNgCZ1l
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) March 13, 2022
Brady made his name with the Patriots, who he led to six Super Bowl wins after joining them as the 199th pick of the 2000 draft.
He left them in 2020 for the Bucs, who he helped to the Super Bowl in his first season.
Like United, the Bucs are owned by the Glazer family.
