Ronaldo Wants a Move to Italy

According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes has revealed to Inter transfer gurus that the Portuguese is still keen on leaving Manchester United, despite his much-publicised `dream` move to Spanish champions Real Madrid falling through this summer.

Moreover, his representative has allegedly stressed that the 23-year-old would love to continue his career at the Stadio San Siro, as he is fascinated by the possibility of being coached by compatriot José Mourinho, a man with whom he has had public disagreements in the past.


Mendes has become very close to the Beneamata camp in recent months, as he was first entrusted by president Massimo Moratti to handle the lengthy transfer saga which saw Ricardo Quaresma land in Milan last August, and he is now also dealing with Brazilian side Fluminense to capture central defender Thiago Silva.

Corriere dello Sport reported this morning that the Via Durini directors are already in the process of planning out the assault on the Red Devils’ prized asset and Moratti has the backing of Pirelli, the company which picked another Ronaldo, the Phenomenon, as their global face a few years ago.

Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the Ballon d`Or at roughly two o`clock this morning, and the reaction in Italy has been mixed.

Marcelo Lippi believed that Italy players should not have been overlooked while Jose Mourinho stated that his foreigners at Internazionale were more deserving.

AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti believes that the decision to award the Portuguese winger with the prestigious prize was just.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best and most spectacular players in the world," Ancelotti is quoted by the Press Association as saying.

Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres were pipped to the post by Ronaldo, and no Serie A representative could be found in the top five. Ancelotti added:

"The Ballon d`Or depends on the trophies you win while the Champions League also plays an important role.

"Kaka has already won it while Ibrahimovic is destined to win it in the future.

"But Italian football gives more importance to the collective rather than individual play. This was evident in the World Cup won by the Italian national team in 2006," he said.