‘Sad’ Ronaldo fires debate over future

MADRID - Agence France-Presse

AFP photo

Real Madrid star striker Cristiano Ronaldo sparked a storm of media speculation over his future yesterday by saying he was “sad” at the club. Ronaldo scored a brace in Madrid’s 3-0 win over Granada on Sept. 2 but did not celebrate either goal.

Quizzed by reporters after the game at the Santiago Bernabeu, he said: “It could be because I am a bit sad. That is the only reason. When I don’t celebrate goals, I am not happy.”

Ronaldo was elusive about the reasons for his unhappiness, saying only that it was professional rather than personal. “I am not going to say more. People know why,” he was quoted as saying in the media.

Asked if he was upset because Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta was crowned UEFA Best Player in Europe on Aug. 30, he replied: “No, it’s not that. There are more important things.” Iniesta deserved the award, he added.

Slight injury

The 27-year-old Portuguese said his thigh was hurting but he hoped it would recover in the next few days to allow him to play.

“He can’t take it any more,” headlined the front page of top selling sports daily Marca. Ronaldo “disconcerts Madrid and sounds alarm bells after not celebrating his goals against Granada,” it said.
Ronaldo had gone to see Real Madrid chairman Florentino Perez on Sept. 1 to say he was unhappy in the club, the paper said, without citing a source.

Marca said teammates, who were not named, believed he had become more miserable since Iniesta was honored. Ronaldo and Barcelona striker Lionel Messi had also been in the running.