Ronaldo: I'd play in Italy because of the women

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo continued the mutual back-slapping that has typified the build up to Manchester United's Champions League clash with Inter Milan by heaping praise on Italy for the quality of their football and the beauty of their women.

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Italy is famous for Totti...

United host the Serie A side at Old Trafford on Wednesday night having drawn the first leg at the San Siro 0-0 but, with a quarter-final place at stake, Ronaldo still made time for the belle donne and to discuss a possible move to Italy in the future.

"Will I ever play in Italy? Never say never in life," the World Player of the Year told Tuttosport. "I do gladly travel there, like I did last summer, because there are the most beautiful and sexiest girls in the world - joking aside I admire your football, you're the world champions."

"I particularly like [Alessandro] Del Piero; he is a unique and extraordinary footballer - a true professional for all the people who love this sport."

The 24-year-old also revealed that he was very close to joining Internazionale before United moved quickly to sign him from Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon in 2003.

"Yes, I was close to moving to Inter but Arsenal and Juventus were also interested," he confirmed. "Suarez [an Inter scout] came to Lisbon but my agent, Jorge Mendes, told me that [Sir Alex] Ferguson wanted me at all costs."