Manchester United’s hopes of bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford have been dashed after the Portuguese forward signed a new five-year deal at Real Madrid.
The 28-year-old – who joined Los Blancos from United in 2009 for a then record £80million – was reportedly unhappy in the Spanish capital and linked with a move back to the Red Devils.
Although Ronaldo – who has scored 203 goals in as many games for Madrid – is grateful to his former club, he has insisted he wants to end his career at the Bernabeu.
“I will be honest with you – everyone knows I was in Manchester for six years and it was a club that gave me many, many things and I don’t forget that,” he said.
“But Manchester is the past, now my club is Real Madrid. It’s my home and my family and I am really happy here.
“I respect all the clubs who ask about me. But they always know that my decision, that my only goal is to be here and to play at this club until, maybe, the end of my career.
“I appreciate the fans like me a lot to be here. I’m happy, I want to give my best on the pitch.”
The Portugal captain – who is set to earn £14.2million a year in his new deal – joined United in 2003 and went on to score 118 goals in 292 games for the Old Trafford club.
He won three Premier Leagues, an FA Cup, the Champions League, two League Cups and the Fifa Club World Cup in a trophy-laden six-year period inManchester.
His 42 goals in 49 games in the 2007-08 season led to him being awarded Fifa World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or in 2008.
While at Madrid, he has won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup and had scored twice so far this campaign.
Picture courtesy of Gordon Flood, via WikiCommons, with thanks.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
