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FOOTBALL

RONALDO 'READY TO LEAVE' MAN UNITED

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Cristiano Ronaldo at a press conference in Switzerland tonight

Tuesday June 17,2008

By Geoff Marsh for express.co.uk

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CRISTIANO Ronaldo again refused to discuss his future tonight - but friends hinted he is now determined to leave Old Trafford for Real Madrid this summer.

The Portugal winger is thought to have privately confirmed he will do "whatever it takes" to leave Manchester United for the Bernabeu before next season - including handing in a formal transfer request.

The 23-year-old, who will face Germany in the Euro 2008 quarter-final on Thursday, has repeatedly refused to commit to the Red Devils - and today said again he would only talk about his future after the tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

But friends are now admitting openly that the star won't return to English football.

He said: "I don't want to discuss my future. I only want to talk about the Germany game.

Ronaldo, who scored in the 3-1 win over Czech Republic last week, said he was motivated to add the European Championship to the titles he has won with Manchester United in a remarkable season in which he scored 46 goals for club and country.

"Of course, I think of all those titles," Ronaldo said of the Premier League, Champions League and English Player of the Year awards.

"It’s a dream to win the European Championship," said the 23-year-old, tipped to be player of the tournament.

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"I’m on the right track but we have to respect the other teams who also want to reach the final."

Ronaldo did not join in practice with the rest of the squad after the news conference, instead getting special treatment for calf muscle tension, but team spokesman Onofre Costa said it was not a serious problem.

Looking at the German side, Ronaldo said: "They are a strong team, I was watching them against Austria (on TV), they play nice football, they’re a mature team."

Ronaldo said there was little to choose between the sides.

"Both teams have a chance -- Portugal are more technical, Germany more physical. For me who is favourite doesn’t count. I just hope Portugal can play their best game."

Asked if he thought Germany might suffer from a short preparation period after only securing their place in the last eight with a 1-0 win over Austria on Monday, Ronaldo said: "They are going to get there (the quarter-final) in good shape."


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BYE BYE RONALDO

18.06.08, 3:01pm

So he taking another dive then? good riddance I say.

• Posted by: oldmzee • Report Comment

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