Premier League - Real admit Ronaldo defeat

Eurosport - Wed, 16 Apr 12:33:00 2008

Luring Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu is an "impossible" task, according to Real Madrid sporting director Predrag Mijatovic.

FOOTBALL 2007-2008 Premier League Middlesbrough-Man United Ronaldo - 0

The Spanish giants have been tipped to make a summer move for the 23-year-old Portugal international, and Mijatovic has made it clear in the past he wants Ronaldo to become the new 'face' of the capital club.

But while he is full of admiration for the player widely tipped to win this year's Ballon d'Or, Mijatovic understands Ronaldo is highly unlikely to leave United in the near future.

"Right now it is impossible to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. Who would not like to have him in their team? But we need to be realistic because his would be a very difficult signing," said Mijatovic.

Recent reports have claimed that Mijatovic met with United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz, but the former Madrid striker was quick to rubbish such talk.

"There has been talk about lots of things that have nothing to do with reality. They have also said I have been seen with Carlos Queiroz and it is not true," he said in Marca.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo - who has scored 38 times in all competitions so far this season and is well on course to break the 40-goal mark - says all the speculation linking him with a move elsewhere makes him "angry".

He told The Sun: "I just don't care what the whole world seems to want to say about me or speculate about my future.

"I've said it a thousand times and, by now, people should realise...I'm totally happy at United.

"I'm in the form of my life and I'm having the season of my career so far so it makes me mad sometimes to read some of the things which are supposed to be related to my future.

"I get angry but I'm trying to accept it's a waste of energy to be furious because it is not worth it."

Mike Hytner / Eurosport