Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster admits the club are in limbo as they wait for Cristiano Ronaldo to make a decision on his future.
The Spanish champions have courted the Manchester United star all summer despite his club's insistence he is not for sale.
Ronaldo, 23, has done nothing to dispel the reports, revealing it is his dream to play for Real and refusing to confirm where he will be playing next season.
However, Schuster is beginning to tire of the protracted saga and claims it is difficult to prepare for next season without knowing whether the Portugal winger will be joining his squad or not.
"As all the world knows, we are interested in signing a player like Ronaldo," he said. "But it seems as if he won't finish deciding, and all the rest depends on that.
"If this doesn't work out we have other alternatives, but everything depends on how it finishes with Cristiano Ronaldo."
Schuster's side played their first pre-season friendly on Sunday and despite a less than spectacular 3-2 win over LASK Linz, the bright note of the evening was Arjen Robben's man of the match performance.
The former Chelsea man set up two goals before being substituted after an hour and, after an injury-hit first season at the Bernabeu, Schuster is confident Robben will prove his worth.
"Robben has a tremendous desire to show everyone the player he is," he added. "We already know.
"Since the first day he has been training properly, he is very fresh and fast and for that he has already shown his main characteristic - speed.
"In these first days he certainly stands out from the rest."
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Comment 1 - 13 of 13
I think Alex Ferguson is another stupid man, in fact an idiot, to introduce modern slavery into the game of football. Why vowing to punish a player that wants to move on. CR signed a 5-yr contract and then. Does that contact enslaves him to fulfilling it. If contract signings were enslavements to players to complete the terms then all players would move on Bosman and there would be no selling of players to make money to finance other projects. How would a club make profit if not by selling players that on contract. I think Alex has lost some business nuts, also the Glazers who said they are in debts. I don't think so if not they would prefer the cash to CR to settle some of their debts. I don't blame Alex, his age is telling on him. He wants to win more things with CR and resign on high pedestal. But any how he tries, CR must move on. If CR holds his life, then he should prepare to die.
Mr. Schuster is an idiot. He doesn't think he has any player to give him what he wants except if he buys CR. He won the title last term without CR, why does he now thinks with CR they will retain the title or win the CL. I wish I just see him and give one hot slap. His worries over one player is the beginning of his flop this season. I hope RM only qualifies for Uefa cup this term.
Just to remind all you muppets that I said from day one that Ronaldo would not lower himself by moving from the Biggest and best club in the world to a mediocre side like Real Madrid. Gloat, gloat, guess I was right all along ha ha ha ha ha.
mr schuter or what do u call ursel, why not stick with player u have at hand for now and leave c.RONADO.Allow this lad to concentrate on his career.ok
RE:timetotell
you idiot. ronaldo wasnt forced to sign a 5 year contract and fergie isn't "treating a contract as a license to slavery". if he no longer wanted a player like any other manager they would be sold. contracts are there for a reason ****head (to stop players moving when they liked) if he does want to go then he'll have to sit in the stands for 4 seasons coz he aint going anywhere.
dear mr schuster, cristiano ronaldo is not for sale, therefore it's time for you to move on to your other options.
wow all of you couldn't be writer
@#$% real man u 4ever
If Real through its employees and representatives continue to make statements in the the media fuelling the speculation concerning Ronaldo's future, if such comments have an interpretation other than the obvious one ie. to induce Ronaldo to break his contract, I would dearly love to have that differing interpretation explained to me. Perhaps Mr Blatter could enlighten us all as to their effect? Over to you Mr B. All the best to Man U. BS
real madrid are living in la la land if they think its up to ronaldo...real are most obviously a bunch of CLOWN SHOES and GOAT BLOWERS!
UTD TIL WE DIE!!!
I agree with SAF and the Glazers. If Ronnie won't honor his end of the contract, sit him down and see how he likes that. Who forced Ron's signature on the new contract anyway?
Real needs to get real.
Blatter would have it that United are forced to sell Ronaldo for peanuts. Apparently, tapping up and being extremely public about it is acceptable whereas telling a player he has to honour his contract is not.
Ridiculous!
Its got NOTHING to do with Ronaldo - its Man Utd and SAF who will make any decision about his future. Real are clearly still trying to stir up trouble.
What is Schuster talking about?? WHY do Real continue to wait for "Ronaldo to make a decision". When will these idiots realise that it CLEARLY isn't Ronaldo's choice. Man Utd own the player's registration and Ronaldo has a further 4 years to run on his contract. The choice is Man Utd's and nobody else's. Even If Ronny hands in a transfer request it will be rejected. Real Madrid really are a bunch of thickos.
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