Ronaldo talked to Spanish radio
station Radio Marca about the offers he was made by Milan and Inter
Milan this summer, adding, "Real Madrid never wanted to sell me, and
that comforts me." The Brazilian striker turned 30 on Friday. He said he
thinks he is capable of scoring 30 goals this season and that he is
anxious to play again.
Many things were said about your possible departure from Real Madrid
this summer. How did you feel at the time? I was actually very calm about the whole thing. The sporting
departments within the Club, as well as the President, didn't want to
sell me, and that comforted me. Calderón was very straightforward with
me from the very start. I couldn't make a decision because I am a Real
Madrid player with two more years on my contract. It's exciting to see
that both Inter Milan and Milan wanted me, but I nevertheless tackled
the whole matter calmly and seriously. I didn't negotiate with any club.
In fact, I told every club that approached me to talk directly to Real
Madrid, mainly because I couldn't say anything and wanted to stay. I am
very happy because it was eventually decided that I should stay.
People say that Capello is very tough, that his training sessions are
very hard, that he demands players lose weight... Is this true? Capello is a very serious, professional and capable coach. He has
his own ideas and we have to respect that. He's always treated me with
the utmost respect. He is very demanding with all of us, not just with
me. I'm stages stages in my recovery and improving day by day. I'm
steadily reaching my best physical form.
Real Madrid need you. When are you going to play again? I'm very close to playing again. I am currently working on speed,
change of direction, agility, shots on goal, ball exercises... This is
the recovery stage I most like, and I feel very happy. The previous
stage was very boring. I'm like cyclists; they don't like cycling in the
mountains and I don't like running...
In which match do you think you'll make your comeback? That doesn't depend on me. As always, I depend on the coach. I will
play whenever he thinks I can be useful to the team.
People said the Club signed Van Nistelrooy because Capello didn't
count on you, but the first thing Ruud said when he arrived at Real
Madrid was the he admired you and couldn't wait to play side-by-side
with you. Capello never said or thought anything like that. That is just a
silly rumour. Competition didn't scare me. Ruud and I are very
compatible and can easily play well together. Capello will have to think
on what he wants to do.
Let's talk about Brazil. It seems Dunga wants to bring in new players.
Are you still excited with playing with your national team or are you
going to turn down playing for them? It depends on Dunga, but especially on the players. Those men who
are playing well with their clubs will be called up to play for Brazil.
I will not turn down playing for Brazil, but I want to earn being on
their teamsheet. I want to play well in La Liga.
Do you think Barcelona will win again? Barça are still playing very well and have a great team, but the
League is going to be very long and very tough. We're going to be very
competitive this year. We'll see what happens.
You bet with Ramón Calderón and your friend Roberto Carlos that you
would score 30 goals this season. Every year I bet on how many goals I will score. I'll try to score
30 this year. I think it's possible.
