Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed he 'wants to play for Real Madrid' -, according to respected Brazilian website Terra - and has vowed not to discuss the subject further until after Euro 2008.
Terra claim to have carried out an exclusive interview with the Portugal
international in which he said: 'I would like to play for Real Madrid but only
if it is true they are ready to pay what Manchester United ask of them.
'However, it does not depend on me.'
The interview continued with Ronaldo stating his hope that the announcement
would bring closure to the speculation linking him with a possible move to the
Bernabeu.
He added: 'From today I'm not going to talk about this topic with anyone at
all.
'I'll only talk about this again after the European Championships. Don't ask
me any questions because I won't answer.'
Should the report prove correct then it would be a huge blow to United who have
repeatedly insisted their star player would still be at Old Trafford for the
2008-09 campaign.
Ronaldo, 23, scored 42 goals for the Premier League and European champions last
season.
It could also spark a major row between United and Madrid with the Red Devils
stating last month they may report the Spanish club to FIFA for making their
pursuit of Ronaldo public.
Madrid president Ramon Calderon conceded yesterday the signing of Ronaldo
'seems impossible' but could now step up attempts to sign the former Sporting
Lisbon man.
One player who is keen to be reunited with Ronaldo is Madrid's former United
striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who told Spanish daily paper Marca: 'He'd be an
important signing for Madrid because this is a club which signs the best players
in the world, and that's what Cristiano is.
'Cristiano could bring a lot of things to this club. He's young, he has
everything and a long sporting career ahead of him.
'For Madrid he would be a great signing.'
