Oliver Kay
We've made some changes
to The Sunday Times
The accepted wisdom is that Cristiano Ronaldo will spend at least one more season with Manchester United before considering the move to Spain that many believe is his destiny, but the Portugal forward was coy about his future as he appeared, however involuntarily, to raise the prospect that the Champions League final could be his swansong for the club.
United maintain that Ronaldo will be at Old Trafford next season - and even Real Madrid, his most persistent suitors, appear to have accepted that as they focus their efforts on trying to sign him in the summer of 2009 - but the 23-year-old was strangely unwilling to offer any guarantees about his future after his team's victory over Barcelona on Tuesday evening.
“What I want to do is play in the final and win the next game against West Ham to win the league,” he told Marca, the Madrid-based sports newspaper. “For my future, I neither know nor want to talk about it. After the Champions League final, we can talk about it.”
There have been reports in recent months suggesting that Ronaldo is in talks over a new contract that would increase his wages from £120,000 to £150,000 a week. United have been so irked by these rumours that they issued a statement last month to say that, having agreed his existing deal, which runs to 2012, barely 12 months ago, no such negotiations were taking place or planned.
One source close to Ronaldo has said that the player will be pursuing another new contract at the end of the season, but another said that it would make more sense to keep his options open.
For now, though, the focus for Ronaldo is on the Champions League final on May 21 and on ensuring that United travel to Moscow as champions of England. “It will be my first Champions League final and I feel very good,” he said. “But for now the most important thing is the league.”
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Sad to think that Cristiano should think this way, but nobody is bigger than the club. Beckham and many others have found this out. Real cannot be assured any success by signing Ronaldo and he may llive long to regret this, As a Man Utd fan I believe Nani will go on to become a great player.
Karl Brown, Kriftel, Germany
Man-U are the greatest football team ever. However, the club's brilliance stands in sriking contrast to the dullness of the city of Manchester itself. Having watched an interview ronaldo gave to Brazilian TV in portuguese I can safely say the city of Manchester is his problem.
yoni, vitoria, brazil
Why a player move anywhere ? Must be for fame and money, and thats what he already has in Man Utd and i can bet that he can't earn more fame and money once he leve the man Utd ! let me make it simple he born to be a red devil. Let him go anywhere and see the aftercomes.
Hashaam, Lahore, Pakistan
he is made for the EPL ... tall, strong, fast and skillful
would not have the same effect in Spain and Italy and the big European clubs know that ... he would still be a top player in those leagues , but not enough to justify the huge fee and wages
Marc, London, UK
Utd owe hundred's of millions and the owners only care about the bottom line. So do the banks...
If an offer comes, he'll go. Ferguson or Ronaldo have no say in the matter.
That's what happens when you owe half a billion...
D.Dent, Ipswich,
Cristiano Ronaldo is not going anywhere, not on Ferguson's account but more on Carlos Queiroz. He is quite happy with his progress and the Team environment. His competitive nature will keep him at the top of the charts for years to come.
ManU is not in the business of selling their superstars.
Walter , Lakewood Ranch, Florida, USA
I agree and I believe Ronaldo could either equal or better George Best. The English league is the best so lets keep our fingers crossed he stays. I am confident he wil.
Quentin , Cape Town , South Africa
How many Utd players have left because THEY want to in the last 20 years?? None. The only person who will decide when Ronaldo leaves will be Sir Alex.
Graham, Peterborough, England
Ronaldo wont go to Spain yet, maybe towards the end of his career say when he's 29 or 30 with his best years behind him.Beckham went to Real and his stock fell, Ruud Van Nistelrooy just isnt the same player at Real and look at Thierry Henry how unhappy is he at Barca. The Spanish league is finished.
Chris, Forres, Scotland
London media and Chelsea wealth trying to undermine United already. Its going to get far worse before the final.
Bryn Garn, Greenwich, UK
it's hard to believe that he would leave Old Trafford this summer or even next year. He has propelled himself to the top of the world ratings (arguably, some might say) at Man U. His best mate Nani now plays at the same team also. I would be surprised if he went before he's 27.
Shane P, Edinburgh,
His stock fell quite dramatically in Spain last week, to quote Marca: "big players do NOT miss penalties at Camp Nou". Sounds like he's trying to drum interest back up again. Bit late son.
Nick, London,
Barcelona have enough great players, they just need to sort the management out. Personally I think Messi is over-rated - beautiful touch and balance but lacks the power to intimidate an organised defense. Physically not strong enough for the Premiership...
Scott, London, UK
I agree that Messi & Ronaldo would make a dream pairing but given the respective performances of the two teams, why would Ronaldo go to Barcelona ? They are an aging team in decline whilst Manchester just get better. Sunshine and tapas aren't everything.
JVS, LONDON,
Afte watching Man. U and Barcelona here some observations. Cristiano Ronaldo would fit in perfectly playing next to messi and Deco.All great technical skilled players,Cristianos aerial game ,log range shooting and goal scoring would make Barcelona the best team in Europe.
raysagres, lake worth , usa
c ronaldo is the best soccer player i ever see..
vsuibawi, levisville, U S
United won't possess half the attacking threat that they currently have if Ronaldo leaves. He has to be the best attacker in the world when it comes to running at defenders.
As a Liverpool fan I would be delighted if he left. United would be crazy to leave him go.
Rory Collins, Sydney via Cork,