
THIS is the sensational moment a senior Real
Madrid official met Cristiano Ronaldo — 22 weeks ago in Rome. Our
exclusive picture shows the Manchester United ace with Real’s
fitness coach Walter Di Salvo, who quit Old Trafford for
Spain.
Madrid president Ramon Calderon only yesterday insisted
there is NO evidence his club have tried to lure
winger Ronaldo from United. But that looks inconceivable thanks to
our dramatic picture, which we will give to United as they urge
FIFA to take action against Real.
The tug-of-war between the clubs got uglier yesterday
with Calderon branding Alex Ferguson “grotesque” in an explosive
attack. Calderon is furious at boss Fergie for linking Madrid with
former Spanish dictator Franco and United No 2 Carlos Queiroz for
saying Portugal kicked the Spaniards out of their country.
The Real supremo bleated: “It seems grotesque to talk
about Franco and the occupation of Portugal. It wasn’t a very
fortunate thing to say. “It is United’s right to complain but Real
Madrid have done nothing irregular and we will never do that.
“We’ve not interfered and we won’t interfere.
“It’s impossible that they have proof of the contrary
because it’s something that has not happened. It’s a matter between
the player and his club.” Real boss Berndt Schuster fuelled the row
by again insisting Ronaldo would be a great signing for the
Bernabeu giants. Schuster said: “The case of Cristiano does not
worry me or make me obsessed. “We have to wait, although it’s clear
he’d be a great signing and would adapt very well in the
squad.”
Furious Fergie had launched an astonishing attack on
Madrid a couple of weeks ago for their very public pursuit of
Ronaldo. He said: “You get used to Real’s performance in these
things.
“I read Calderon is talking, Schuster is talking, and
they use Marca (a Spanish newspaper) as a vehicle to unsettle
players. “The simple facts are Ronaldo is with us and has four
years left on his contract — that’s the first thing.
“And Calderon has made that great statement: ‘Slavery
was abolished many, many years ago’. Did he tell Franco that? Give
me a break.”