You are in > manchester.com  > News > Van Nistelrooy wants Ronaldo to join him at Real Madrid

General Sport

Van Nistelrooy wants Ronaldo to join him at Real Madrid

05/06/2008

Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has given his backing to the club's plans to buy Cristiano Ronaldo.

Media reports have been at a frenzy speculating that Manchester United winger Ronaldo is close to agreeing to move to the Bernabeu, where he would join former United team-mate van Nistelrooy.

The pair were involved in a famous training ground scuffle a couple of seasons ago, but van Nistelrooy is still keen to see the Portugal star at Madrid.

"He'd be an important signing for Madrid because this is a club which signs the best players in the world, and that's what Cristiano is," said Netherlands striker Van Nistelrooy.

"Cristiano could bring a lot of things to this club. He's young, he has everything and a long sporting career ahead of him. For Madrid he would be a great signing."

Madrid president Ramon Calderon has admitted he wants to bring Ronaldo to the club, but yesterday claimed the transfer was "impossible" as United were not willing to sell.

But some cynics have refused to believe Calderon, citing that the club did the same thing in their pursuit to sign superstars like Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo – and both those players ended up signing for Madrid.

Ronaldo has remained tight-lipped about his future, but said on Sunday that he expects to make an announcement very soon.