Madrid retain Ronaldo hope
12 Oct 2008 - 12:31:18
Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has risked the wrath of Manchester United after reopening the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga.
Schuster has revealed his hope that Ronaldo will be a Madrid player next season following his club's failure to land the Portugal winger during a summer tug-of-war with the Old Trafford side.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson successfully persuaded the 23-year-old that his future remained in England despite Ronaldo himself responding to the public courtship of Madrid by admitting he was keen to move to Spain.
Ferguson has already spoken of his belief the Spanish giants will renew their interest in the former Sporting Lisbon starlet next summer.
However, Schuster has not only confirmed his side's interest, but claims it is likely that Ronaldo will finally become a Madrid player before the next season gets underway.
He said: "I think that next year it is going to be a little more complicated for his club to retain him.
"There is hope that next year he could be with us. You need to do everything possible because this player is worth it.
"Since the start I thought it was possible (to sign him) although difficult - possible because the player really showed an interest.
"His class, his position on the right wing and in other areas of the pitch, his work in attack, he would have been an important signing."