... but this has really got my goat!
More stellar writing from the Daily Mail:
Quote:
Real Madrid will bring forward their plans to sign Cristiano Ronaldo this summer after claiming Manchester United's prolific winger can succeed Zinedine Zidane as the new darling of the Bernabeu.
It was thought Real president Ramon Calderon would wait until next year's club elections before attempting to pull off the ultimate vote winner and guarantee a second term in power.
But his sporting director, Predrag Mijatovic, indicated the Spanish giants will try to prise Ronaldo away at the end of this season in a move that would rival the audacious £47million capture of Zidane from Juventus seven years ago.
Spanish eyes are watching: Ronaldo rattles home his penalty against Arsenal at the weekend
United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz claims even an offer twice that size would not persuade them to sell the Portugal winger.
However, that is unlikely to deter Madrid, who have not won the Champions League since 2002.
Mijatovic said: "Real Madrid are one of the most prestigious teams in the world of football and therefore have to sign the best players. Cristiano Ronaldo is emblematic. We want him as the new face of Real Madrid."
Publicly, United insist no talks are planned with Ronaldo over a new deal as he is only 12 months into a five-year contract.
It is unthinkable they would not offer the 23-year-old some kind of reward for another outstanding season that has already brought him 38 goals, but nothing will happen before the Champions League Final on May 21.
If, by then, Ronaldo has helped United to win it, the clamour in Madrid for Calderon to make his move would be irresistible.
Another Barclays Premier League title and a European Cup might also convince the player to seek a new challenge.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Queiroz — a father figure to Ronaldo — are well aware he is easily bored.
They are constantly looking for ways to keep him stimulated, even considering switching to a 4-5-1 formation and using him as the spearhead to give him a fresh challenge. Ferguson's tactic with his winning teams has always been to challenge the players to repeat their success, but it might not be that easy with Ronaldo.
After all, what do you give the player who has everything?
Money should not be a major problem, even if his £80,000-aweek salary is dwarfed by the £130,000 being offered to Rio Ferdinand.
Contrary to reports, the England defender's six-year deal has not been signed but should go through in weeks.
But it could be lifestyle and ambition — he yearns to win the World Player of the Year award — rather than money that persuades Ronaldo to emulate David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy in going to the Bernabeu.
Although Ronaldo is content at home in the Cheshire countryside, Madrid is a better fit than Manchester for the boy from the sunshine island of Madeira.
United recognise that and are happy to let him make regular trips to see his new girlfriend, Spanish model Nereida Gallardo, in Mallorca and his family in Portugal.
|
- Mijatovic, the slimy cnut, is in a high profile footballing position. He is the sporting director of one of the big football institutions in world football. His comments are obviously high profile, so why Fifa happily disregard what he is saying? He is constantly pouting rubbish about
other clubs players.
- Ronaldo is easily bored and we alter our entire formation for him? How about an alternative (more truthful) slant. He has been prolific this season and has been deployed more centrally as a result. Having Rooney play deeper and from the left also means that we have more defensive protection late on in games. Also, no matter how good a player is, I don't think that SAF would put up with a player who lost interest in the cause that quickly.
- I think the general tone of the article is a disservice to Ronaldo, who is portrayed as being unmotivated and easily distracted. You don't get as good as he is, without putting in dedicated practice.
- If Ronaldo wants to go to a club with more interesting day-to-day happenings, then Madridis definetly his place. Constantly changing managers at a joke of a club. Sounds great.
- I am surprised that the English press do not do more to report our positive comments. Something of the ilk of: "Ronaldo is invaluable." Why are they constantly pre-empting the exit of this finest player in the League. When he goes, they will all bemoan the decision and say that SAF has lost the plot. Idiots.
- If he ever does move to Spain, I hope he goes to Barcelona. They (although) not whiter than white, do not act as arrogantly as Madrid.
Rant over.