The signing of Cristiano Ronaldo on a new five-year, £31
million contract yesterday represented the best possible news for a
buoyant Manchester United as they continue their quest for success.
But the ink had barely begun to dry when Sir Alex Ferguson angrily
condemned Real Madrids attempts to unsettle a player he has
challenged to follow in the footsteps of Pelé and Diego
Maradona.
Ronaldos decision to sign a deal worth about £120,000 a week,
making him the best-paid player in Uniteds history, came as a
serious blow to Real, who had been encouraged to believe that the
22-year-old Portugal winger would join them in the summer. Those
hopes are now over for another year at least but Fergusons
delight did not stop him castigating the Spanish club for their
part in the saga.
I had no doubts Cristiano would sign, but I think everyone else
outside Old Trafford had, Ferguson said. In this case, I think
there were some grounds for the speculation in that they [Real]
keep talking in Spain and unsettling clubs like ourselves. They
dont have any regard for anyone but themselves when they decide to
put their neck out for the best players in the world. Theyve shown
that over the years. When it continually goes on and on, you start
worrying about the substance and the source of it, even though you
know deep inside you its a game that they play. It seems to happen
time and time again.
Theres no point reporting them to Uefa. If you fined them, they
would wipe their backsides with it. But I believe Cristiano is at
the right club. Hes playing in front of 76,000 fans every week.
There was no reason for him to think about leaving other than that
people perceive Real Madrid as galácticos, or whatever they call
themselves. 
Sources at Old Trafford have indicated that Ronaldo had to persuade
his agent, Jorge Mendes, to bring forward negotiations rather than
leave the door open to a summer move to Spain. Mendes initially
told David Gill, the United chief executive, last month that his
client, who signed a £70,000-a-week deal in November 2005, would
require a figure in excess of £130,000 to stay, but a compromise in
the region of £120,000 was struck late on Thursday. That figure
eclipses the £100,000-a-week basic wage paid to Rio Ferdinand and
Wayne Rooney if not the £130,000 that Chelsea pay Michael Ballack
and Andriy Shevchenko every week although the breakdown of
Ronaldos deal is not yet clear.
Ferguson, who praised Gills role in negotiations, has no doubt
that Ronaldo is worth the price. When you negotiate, its down to
two two things: does he want to stay and how much will it cost the
club? the manager said. Thats where David came into his own and
both parties agreed. Maybe both parties arent happy, but theyre
satisfied and thats where you get an agreement. Ferguson believes
Ronaldo is the best player in the world on form and also feels that
the winger could elevate himself to the games pantheon of all-time
greats if he continues his progress.
At 22, he has the same skill factor as Pelé or Maradona, he said.
Pelé played in an era where there were some fantastic players
Alfredo Di Stéfano, Eusébio, Johan Cruyff while Maradona was the
player of his era, head and shoulders above everyone else.
Cristiano has got to the level of the best players in the world and
thereafter its left to people to see if hes as good as Pelé and
Maradona. Thats in front of him. Thats the challenge.
It is a challenge that Ronaldo intends to take on. I think Im at
the right club, he said last night. This is why I sign. I want to
win trophies. The supporters have helped me so much and Im happy
here. I think Im in a good moment here because I learn so much. I
want to keep going like that and to win trophies with this
club.
