No Real deal, insists Ronaldo

CRISTIANO RONALDO last night insisted he has no agreement to join Real Madrid and announced that he expects to be out for up to 12 weeks after an ankle operation.

The Manchester United winger’s future has been a fervent source of conjecture since the club’s UEFA Champions League final win over Chelsea in May.

Real Madrid have repeatedly stated their interest in signing Ronaldo, if the Portugal international asks to leave United.

Reports have also suggested that the 23-year-old has agreed personal terms with Real, something Ronaldo last night denied on Portuguese television.

‘‘It is not true that I have an agreement with Real Madrid, there is no agreement,’’ said Ronaldo.

‘‘You know what I said, what I want and what I would like. ‘Let’s see. Now I have to wait and see, but I do not know where I will begin the season.’’

Meanwhile, the Footballer of the Year has revealed he could be sidelined for three months due to an ankle injury.

Ronaldo had been hampered by the problem towards the end of last season and underwent surgery on his ankle earlier this week.

United were hoping the former Sporting Lisbon starlet would be out for six weeks, but the length of absence could now be doubled.

When asked if he would be out for between 10 to 12 weeks, he replied: ‘‘Yes, it is confirmed.’’

The fleet-footed attacker has also claimed he is in agreement with Sepp Blatter following the FIFA president’s claims that there is ‘‘too much modern slavery’’ regarding player transfers.

Blatter has said that if Ronaldo wants to leave United for Real he should be allowed to do so, and the player supports the FIFA chief’s view.

Ronaldo said: ‘‘I agree with the statement of the president, he is right.’’

Unsurprising though, United took issue with Blatter’s comments as did the League Managers’ Association (LMA).

They accused Blatter of “being out of touch” and using “a poor choice of words”.

The Professional Footballers Association (PFA), not to mention UEFA were also been perplexed by Blatter’s comments.

LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said: “Sepp Blatter’s remarks are extremely ill-considered. There are no benefits to clubs or players in what he said.

“It just confirms he is out of touch with the issues of professional football.

“The transfer system is underwritten and regulated by FIFA. It is the cornerstone of developing talent right up the football pyramid.

“Ignoring the nonsensical comparison of a player on £120,000 (€150,000) a week to a modern slave, it is a very poor choice of words.

“Sanctity of contracts is fundamental to all commercial and employment relationships in that a contract freely entered into is honoured.

“In sport it is not always the case but Mr Blatter should know better.”

A United spokesperson said: “All our players – like at other clubs – enter into their contracts after an open and free negotiation.

“Most of whom do after taking advice from a FIFA-registered agent.

“Many do so on a number of occasions and enjoy long and successful stays at Old Trafford.”

The PFA described Blatter’s use of the word “slavery” as offensive.

Deputy chief executive Mick McGuire said: “It is so inappropriate that he loses any credibility in his argument. There are some words that should never be used in such a context. The word ‘slavery’ gets people wound up and destroys any argument that he has.’’

When Blatter was asked if he felt sympathy for Ronaldo’s current position, he said: “Absolutely, absolutely.

“Definitely as a footballer and the FIFA president, I’m very in sympathy with the player Ronaldo.”

He added: “I think in football there is too much modern slavery, transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere. And we are trying now to intervene in such cases.”