Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo shocked soccer fans all over the world last week when reports emerged from Portugal that he had decided to quit the Spanish giants this summer. At the time, it was reported that the decision was 'irreversible'. However, Real Madrid President Florentino Perez's recent comments should come as a big relief for Madrid fans everywhere.
The President reassures
Real Madrid President Florentino Perez leaped to the defense of Cristiano Ronaldo during an interview with a Spanish radio station yesterday and it seems that his comments have now made the striker think about the possibility of honoring his contract with the club.
Earlier this month, Ronaldo had been charged with tax fraud by Spanish prosecutors and according to reports, the player felt that he had not got enough support from the club following the revelations. It is understood that it then prompted Ronaldo to come to the decision of quitting Real Madrid.
Perez, however, stood by his star player and went on to say that he had not got the opportunity to speak to him following the tax fraud accusations. However, he said that the situation is an unexpected one and it is imperative that a solution is found. Earlier he had stated that the tax situation is 'worst thing that has been set upon Cristiano'.
Ronaldo isn't going anywhere
However, it seemed that merely standing by his star player was not the only thing on Perez's agenda during the interview and the President went on to clear the air about the player's purported move elsewhere.
Over the last few days, there have been plenty of speculative reports suggesting that the player could be on his way to his old club Manchester United or French club Paris Saint-Germain. Perez did not even entertain the thought that the two cash-rich clubs could praise Real Madrid's best player away from the Spanish capital.
Instead, he proceeded to demonstrate that Real Madrid is not going to sell the player under any circumstances and went on to state that Ronaldo has a release clause of $1.27 billion, a sum of money that puts him beyond the reach of all clubs. However, he was quick to point out that the Qatari owner of Paris Saint-Germain is a good friend of his and he has not received any calls from them regarding Ronaldo's signature.
Perez did not speak about Manchester United though, knowing full well that the English Premier League giants are definitely interested in the player and are prepared to do everything to bring him to Old Trafford this season.
