Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz
has launched an extraordinary attack on the Spanish nation and Real
Madrid in particular.
The Portuguese coach has drawn a bizarre comparison
between Cristiano Ronaldo - reportedly Real's top transfer target
for this summer - and Christopher Columbus.
The Spanish champions have made no secret of their desire to
recruit Ronaldo, prompting United to consider reporting them to
FIFA.
But Queiroz feels Madrid's outspoken courting of his Portuguese
compatriot is about more than their wish to snap up the gifted
winger, claiming it is part of the long history and rivalry between
Portugal and Spain.
"Cristiano Ronaldo will never be Spanish! As they will never
take Olivenca again," he told Portuguese newspaper Jornal do
Noticias, referring to the small town on the disputed border
between the two countries.
Queiroz also delved further into the historic rivalry, alluding
to explorer Christopher Columbus - who both countries claim as
theirs - and the 60-year Philippine Dynasty when Portugal was ruled
by three Spanish kings until the bloodless revolution of 1640.
"They already did the same with Christopher Columbus, and it now
seems they want to naturalise Cristiano Ronaldo," added the United
number two.
"Have they already forgotten what we did to them in the past? We
will never lose our patience."
With Portugal preparing for Euro 2008, Queiroz knows the furore
surrounding Ronaldo's future could not have come at a worse
time.
"It's being done in a manner to distract the Portugal team, at
the height of their preparations for the European Championships,"
he said.
"But I am convinced that despite pressure from the Spanish
sporting press he will not accept to change his nationality.
"However, it is an attack with a well-defined strategy and
Portugal should be worried about that."