Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon admits he can do little more as the club
wait for a conclusion to the 'soap opera' of Manchester United star Cristiano
Ronaldo's future.
The Portugal winger has been tracked by Real all summer, although United are
adamant they are not prepared to sell the man whose goals helped them to Premier League and Champions League glory last season.
Ronaldo has refused to confirm whether he believes his immediate future lies at
Old Trafford or the Bernabeu, although he has yet to issue a firm committment to
the Red Devils, and Calderon has once again claimed that his club are little
more than spectators in the matter.
'Look, this is a problem that wasn't created by Real Madrid,' he told Spanish
sports daily AS.
'Madrid are just spectators in this soap opera.
'At the moment Manchester United and the player are in an argument and Madrid
are waiting...and we can't do any more for the time being.
'Obviously, it's clear that we want Cristiano with the quality that he has.
But there is a contractual problem that United and the player have to resolve,
not us.
'Will he persuade the club to let him go? I can't say that. That question's
for the player, who has publicly said his dream is to play for Madrid.
'We hear those words with pride and satisfaction, but his departure doesn't
only depend on Cristiano. United are the ones that have to sort it out and it
will either happen or not.'
Ronaldo, who is recovering from ankle surgery, is yet to return to Manchester,
but Calderon believes when he finally does it could be decisive for player and
club.
'It could happen then, but it's true that we have to wait developments,' he
continued. 'Everyone's thinking so much about this matter that people can get
confused and I understand that they're fed up.
'They (United and Ronaldo) will talk next week and if after this conversation
United decide to sell him, then of course Madrid will be there.'
Madrid have publicly courted Ronaldo all summer, to the Premier League side's
fury.
United reported the Spanish giants to FIFA, but Calderon insists his club have
nothing to feel guilty about.
'I would like to remind everyone that Madrid didn't generate this expectation
but the player himself,' he added. 'The club has been respectful.
'(To want to sign him) is a natural and logical desire, equal to that of
Chelsea wanting Robinho and (Iker) Casillas or United wanting Sergio Ramos. We
didn't blow this all up. The club at which I'm president sleeps with a clear
conscience.'
Madrid know a world-record fee would have to be paid to bring Ronaldo to the
Bernabeu.
There was talk of selling Robinho to offset some of the cost, with Chelsea
admitting they were interested in the Brazilian, or using him as part of swap
deal for Ronaldo - an idea which infuriated the Madrid star.
Coach Bernd Schuster is adamant that Robinho will remain at the club next
season, and Calderon claims there is no reason to offload him.
'The coaches believe they (Ronaldo and Robinho) are compatible and Madrid
don't need to raise funds to buy,' he continued. 'To sign Cristiano we don't
need to sell anyone and even less so Robinho. It's not like that at all.
'I don't have any reason to think that Robinho is unhappy. Schuster adores
him, his team-mates want him and last year he was very happy at the Bernabeu.
'If he wasn't happy and wanted to leave we wouldn't fight to change his mind.
But I don't think that's the case.
'It's absurd to plan someone's transfer if they're happy and I firmly believe
that.'
If Ronaldo does go to the Primera Liga champions there has been talk of massive
pay package, but the Real chief insists that is not one of the reasons the
23-year-old is so desperate for a move to the Bernabeu.
'Look, when a footballer leaves a big club it's not for the money,' said
Calderon. 'They leave because they're not happy with what's around them, the
sporting project, their family life, the coach and his decisions...
'In that case it's better to let them leave.
'I don't want a single player in my Madrid who's unhappy. But we have the good
fortune that in this Madrid the 25 we have are happy.'
