Sport

It’s a no-go: Real Madrid’s president dashes Manchester United’s hopes of Cristiano Ronaldo returning

By John McDougall

Manchester United’s desire to bring Old Trafford hero Cristiano Ronaldo back home is in tatters after Real Madrid president Florentino Perez confirmed the Portuguese is going nowhere.

The 28-year-old left Old Trafford in 2009 for Los Blancos for a world-record £80million, but has been linked with a Red Devils return in recent weeks.

But David Moyes may now have to look elsewhere after Real Madrid boss Perez confirmed Ronaldo will end his career at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“I can assure you that he will end his sports career there,” he told French newspaper L’Equipe. “We have not received any offers for him.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world and Real Madrid revolves around him.”

Ronaldo has two years left on his current Madrid deal and has openly spoken of his admiration for United, not celebrating when he scored twice against them in last season’s Champions League.

Earlier this month in Singapore, he admitted his missed both the Red Devils and the Premier League, but also conceded he is happy in La Liga.

“I really miss English football,” he said.

“For me, it was one of the best years in my career, when I was there at Manchester United. Everyone knows that.

“It is a club that is still in my heart. I really, really miss. But now my life is in Spain.

I am really, really happy in the Spanish league at the moment.”

His new boss at Real, Carlo Ancelotti, insists Ronaldo is the key man in his side and that his future is in the Spanish capital.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is the most important player in this team. He has the best quality. He is always working to do his best every time,” the Italian told the Daily Telegraph. 

“He is the most important player of Real and his future will be at Real Madrid. There is no question about this.”

Picture courtesy of Gordon Flood, via WikiCommons, with thanks. 

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