Real Madrid's position as 'passive spectators' in the Cristiano Ronaldo saga is likely to come under severe strain as Manchester United refuse to entertain any prospect of selling their star winger.
Although Ronaldo made numerous claims during Euro 2008 suggesting any announcement over his intentions for the future was imminent, so far the Portugal international has remained silent.
It was expected the 23-year-old would be back in Manchester this week for ankle surgery. Instead, he has been pictured on holiday in Sardinia.
The move has the full backing of United medical staff, who are not convinced Ronaldo needs to go under the knife and have decided to re-assess the situation when the player returns to training on July 14.
And given Real officials have already hinted they expect to make a formal announcement confirming Ronaldo's arrival at the Bernabeu at the beginning of next month, the Spanish giants need the impasse to be broken if they are not going to be embarrassed.
"We are in this situation as passive spectators," Calderon told Madrid-based radio station City FM.
"I suppose they (United) think we have intervened in some way but it is not like that and that is the truth.
"It is something between the player and Manchester United. If the player continues to insist that he wants to come and if United consider letting him go, then we will ask."
The problem for Madrid is that United are not considering letting Ronaldo go, a position Red Devils chief executive David Gill is likely to reinforce when he sees Calderon at a meeting of Europe's leading clubs on July 7.
Having continually stressed, both in public and private, Ronaldo will not be sold, Gill is hardly likely to offer Calderon any encouragement.
So, unless Ronaldo hands in a formal transfer request, Real will be left trying to force the issue themselves.
"His declarations have provoked a lot of expectation," Calderon said of the Madeira-born player.
"If it was me, it would make me proud that the big clubs were asking about our players.
"But it is not up to the player, or Madrid. Manchester do not want to sell him."
Calderon's comments about 'big' clubs may cause some irritation among the Old Trafford hierarchy as they are the European champions, something Real have not been since the 2001/02 season.
However, that is of less concern than keeping hold of Ronaldo, who manager Sir Alex Ferguson felt would not test United over their resolve to keep him and ambition for the future for another two years.
To Ferguson's regret those words have been proved incorrect, although by the time he returns to his desk at United's Carrington training ground on Monday at least some of the heat will have been taken out of the situation despite reports of Ronaldo buying property in the Spanish capital.
"It seems to be Ronaldo has become a bit of a hot potato," Calderon said with a remarkable understatement.
However, in admitting Real will not be held to ransom over Ronaldo, Calderon has also revealed an element of weakness, particularly as United, in the sales of David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy, have previously come under fire for selling players to Madrid on the cheap.
"It seems a lot of money to me," said Calderon.
"It is too soon when we have not even started talking to United.
"But in whatever operation we do we are careful not to put at risk our good administration."
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Comment 1 - 12 of 12
ronaldo should heed the words of david beckham and steer clear of madrid,and look at the form of van nistleroy who is not a patch of the player he was when at M U.
Sniejder is an excellent player.
Real Madrid is a great team.
Ronaldo may leave MU.
Its not the end of the world. MU will survive.
I don't understand why people think that none of the RM players would get into the MU team - are you mad? Or simply stupid?
BIG MU FAN
If real madrid are so good how come they haven't won the champions league since 01/02, i rest my case.
has a season ticket holder for over 40 years if fergie wants to keep him he will be here next season. we knew he would go eventually. if they are not home grown, one day they will want to leave not a problem? if they are still in contract they only go when the price is top dollar and sir alex says ok.fergie knows when the time as come for them. i think ronaldo will be here next year.
erm..casilas n robinho will surely made 1st eleven if they r at united.n myB nistelrooy too.hee.come on fergie n all united fan..open your eyes n acpt the truth..CR the diver want to go to madrid.yeah evryting is in united hand and they can keep ronaldo..but if not dis summer he will leave too..sell him now or he still will leave united with cheaper price or myB free transfer in next or cple of season.neway if he leave..then we will miss not only his footbal skill but also his acting skill n owh yeah we will miss his *&@# face evrytime he score too..
You wonder what Ronaldo's commitment will be llike if he has to stay at United next season. With the money we'd get from him we could buy Ribery, Berbatov and Micah Richards. I think those three players would more than compensate for losing him. If Ronaldo went Nani will get more games and has the potential to be just as good.
it would be great if c. ronaldo is moving to the new club such as real madrid. We will be seing the great team ever if we could consider the combination of robinho, scneider, robben and others. Viva la madrid
Real Madrid are @#$% and full of old men who are passed it ha ha ha
Sneijder said he doesn't want to play for Man Utd. well of course not because our team is so much stronger than Real Madrid that he could only ever expect a place on the bench. He can cover for injured players or when we rest players but Sneijder is not good enough to get a regular start. He will improve as a player over the years at old trafford but that requires patience. All Real Madrid players will improve if they come to Old Trafford but every Man Utd player to move to Madrid have become worse players. That is why Ronaldo will not be going to Real Madrid, along with the fact that they cannot afford Ronaldo. They will not pay 80 million for him but that does not matter because Man Utd would want at least 200 million. So no deal can be reached and Ronaldo is staying with the best club in the world rather than lowering his standards at Real Madrid.
You are in not in the real world. Real Madrid do not have a single player good enough to get in Man Utd's first Team They may get on the bench but that is all. What did Madrid do in the champions league? We are talking about current form and teams not past ones. Madrid would struggle in the premier league but the top 10 in England would all finish above Madrid. Ronaldo can say what he likes but unless Real Madrid pay over £200 million then they cannot have him. Ha ha dream on Madrid fans.
itsnjealousy my son al the man u fans r jealous that he wnts 2 go 2 us the spanish giants 9 times champs of europe i cnt blame him lol man u depend on ronaldo without him they r a mediocre team:):) real madrid till death :)):):)
If Cristiano is sold to R. Madrid, no matter for how much, Real will make enough money to pay United in less than six months. The revenew will be fantastic. Selling of tickets around the La Liga will be great for scalpers and it will be great for Spain. C. Ronald is, without a doubt the best player in the Planet and he will attract attention all over the world. Go for it Real.And for those who call C. Ronald a traitor, give me a break... If the national players selected for England played with the corage and love for their country, England will allways make it. Ciao bambinos.
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