03/03/2004
Ronaldo Hoping to Finish Career at Real Madrid

MADRID (Reuters) - Ronaldo signed a two-year extension to his Real Madrid contract Tuesday and said he expected to close out his career at the Spanish club.

"I had no doubts about this extension, from the moment Real Madrid expressed their interest," said the Brazilian striker, whose new deal runs until the end of the 2007-08 season.

"Between now and 2008 I've got time to think but I assume I'll finish my career at Real Madrid. It would be spectacular to do that."

Ronaldo joined Real from Inter Milan for 45 million euros ($56 million) in 2002, signing a four-year deal with an option for one further season.

Real announced Tuesday that the two parties had agreed to prolong the contract for two further years.

Ronaldo, who has been the subject of speculation linking him with moves to England or back to Italy, said his first choice would be to remain at Real.

"Interest from other clubs is always nice but I'm at the best club in the world, playing with the world's best players," said Ronaldo, who was speaking at a news conference at Real's Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

"I'm planning on spending a lot of years here and going on to be an ambassador for the club."

Ronaldo is the second of Real's world-renowned players, the so-called "galacticos," to agree to a new longer-term deal following Zinedine Zidane's decision last month to extend his contract to 2007.

Spanish players Raul, Guti and Michel Salgado have also signed new contracts recently as part of the club's strategy to keep the first team squad as stable as possible.

"We're trying to maintain the nucleus of the side for years to come," Real director Emilio Butragueno told reporters. "This is great news for Real Madrid fans.

Ronaldo emerged from four years of career-threatening injury problems to help Brazil to victory in the World Cup in 2002, scoring two goals in the final to finish the tournament as top scorer with eight.

After a protracted transfer battle, he secured his move to Real and enjoyed an outstanding first season, scoring 23 league goals to lead his side to the league title. He was named FIFA's World Player of the Year for the third time in 2002.

Ronaldo is comfortably the leading scorer in the Primera Liga this season, with his 22 goals helping Real build an eight-point lead at the top of the table.

By Kevin Fylan