Ruud sits out Ronaldo debate

Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is not getting involved in his club’s pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming he will leave it to the parties directly involved.

Van Nistelrooy, who made a hugely successful switch from Old Trafford to the Bernabeu two years ago, was quizzed about the possibility of Ronaldo doing the same at a press conference in Lausanne prior to Holland’s clash with Romania.

“Tomorrow’s game is indeed very important to us!” he joked, in a bid to change the subject.

“I don’t think about it. I will leave it up to the clubs and to the player involved. I’ll wait and see what happens.”

However, the 31-year-old did not hide his admiration for the Portugal star, who he knows well from the three years they spent together in England.

“Everybody knows what kind of player he is and how he has developed himself as one of the best players in the world at the moment,” Van Nistelrooy added.

“At his age, he is complete. He’s a great player and a great person.”