Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has effectively ended his club’s chances of signing Portuguese international forward Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United. The former Real Madrid and Juventus man has been long linked with a move away from Old Trafford, but no agreement could be reached for the player’s exit during the last summer transfer window.
Atletico Madrid fans were said to be furious that they would be signing the 37-year-old, in part due to the player’s links to bitter rivals Real Madrid.
Diego Simeone has opened up on the transfer situation in an interview with reporters. The Argentine coach quipped: “The rumours are far from what actually happened. People sometimes speak to tell what they want to, not what actually happens.
“Ronaldo is an absolute legend for Real Madrid. I would not see [Martin] Palermo playing in River just as I wouldn’t see [Juan Roman] Riquelme or [Ariel] Ortega playing in Boca. There are situations that are very clear.”
With 450 goals in 438 games for Real, Ronaldo is arguably the club’s best ever player, and remains one of the greatest players ever to grace the beautiful game. However, currently Ronaldo’s long-term future at Man Utd remains somewhat of a mystery, as he is reportedly seeking a transfer move to a Champions League side.