Cristiano Ronaldo may have won the Golden Boot award to top off a truly magnificent calendar year for himself, but post-collection he spoke words which will have broken Manchester United hearts.
As was to be expected from the Real Madrid superstar he was quick to acknowledge the part his club have played in the personal successes he has had recently upon receiving the accolade in question, but when quizzed over where his allegiance might lie in the future his answer was unequivocal; great for Madrid supporters, terrible for those who follow United.
United left disappointed
Red Devils fans could be excused for allowing a small part of their minds to hope beyond hope that the talismanic Portuguese captain would one day return to Old Trafford, such was his impact in Manchester the first time around.
Furthermore the intense speculation surrounding his supposed unrest in the Spanish capital compounded the theory that he was angling for a reunion with his former club.
As for Ronaldo himself, he spoke lovingly of United during the summer transfer window, further fuelling rumours which inferred the club he made his name at would be the club he retired at, regardless of the fact he has a lucrative deal which doesn’t end until he’s 33-years-old.
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Happy at Madrid
However now the 29-year-old, who is only two goals away from becoming the most lethal striker in Champions League history, has insisted that he is aiming to get another new deal for Madrid, and reiterated his desire to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu at least until his contract has expired.
"We'll have to speak to Florentino about extending my contract," Ronaldo said, according to Madrid mouthpiece Marca.
"I'm very happy, enjoying life and in great form. I try to give my best out on the pitch and achieve everything possible for the club because the thing I like the most is winning.
"I hope to stay at Real Madrid until the end of my contract when I'm 33 and we'll see if the president wants to extend it for a few more years."
"I hope to stay at Real Madrid until the end of my contract when I'm 33 and we'll see if the president wants to extend it for a few more years"
No future at United
If nothing else the comments categorically rule out a futile attempt at signing Ronaldo next summer coming from Louis van Gaal. Though it’s been confirmed by United’s chief executive Ed Woodward that the club have plenty of money left to throw at the new boss’s transfer endeavours, the comments made by the player himself can be taken as a closure of the saga.
United fans might dream about the former Sporting Lisbon star returning one day, but whilst the money remains great and the stats remain incredible, Ronaldo is very much a Madridista first and foremost.
