Rafael da Silva wants former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo to join him at Botafogo.

Rafael spent seven years at Old Trafford, from 2008-15, and the full-back recently returned to his homeland with Botafogo after spells at Lyon and Istanbul Basaksehir.

“If I could choose one to play here, I'd talk to Cristiano Ronaldo, tell him to come play here. Is there another one? There's no way," he told Fogao Net.

“I'd tell him not to go to Manchester, and I'm in love with Manchester United too, but I'd tell him to come to Botafogo, come to a different team.

“We have a group, he's not even there anymore, I played against him, I don't speak regularly. But if I could speak… If I send a message he will reply."

Rafael also discussed United legend Ryan Giggs, who the Brazilian also played with during his long spell in England.

“Giggs played very well, very. Of the guys I played, there aren't many better than him. A phenomenon," he added.