Ronaldo’s chances of moving to Madrid are ‘great’

Ronaldo was held scoreless in the team's loss to Germany on Thursday, and was the key in the second German goal.

The chances of Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Manchester United for Real Madrid next season are ‘great’.

“I will talk with Manchester and we will try to reach a deal,” said the Portugal winger, who will have surgery on his right foot. “The possibilities to go to Madrid are great, but it doesn’t depend on me.” Ronaldo reiterated that nothing was certain yet.

United responded by issuing a statement Friday on its Web site, stressing that its prized asset won’t be sold.

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After Portugal’s 3-2 loss to Germany in the quarterfinals of the European Championship, Ronaldo also said he will ‘need surgery’ for ‘a small problem on his (right) foot’.

Ronaldo, who talked briefly to reporters after Thursday’s match, said he expects ‘a good recovery’, according to Portuguese media.

He did not elaborate on the type of injury. Portuguese federation spokesman Onofre Costa confirmed the player’s injury Friday and said that he underwent normal treatment during the competition.

Ronaldo played three matches with Portugal, missing only the team’s 2-0 loss to Switzerland on June 15, when he was rested along with other seven regular starters because Portugal had already advanced. Ronaldo, who scored a goal in the team’s 3-1 win over the Czech Republic, was expected to return to Portugal along with the rest of his teammates Friday.

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The winger had ice wrapped around his right foot in Portugal’s first training session after arriving in Switzerland on June 1, but looked healthy after that.

Ronaldo was held scoreless in the team’s loss to Germany on Thursday, and was key in the second German goal when he failed to mark striker Miroslav Klose inside the area.

Ronaldo, a favorite to win FIFA’s player of the year award after scoring 42 goals last season, arrived as one of the tournament’s top stars but failed to come up with top-notch performances. He still had a solid performance, however, posing danger to Portugal’s opponents and setting up three goals.

Ronaldo has a contract with Manchester United until 2012, but Madrid was believed to be one of the top teams willing to spend millions of euros (dollars) to sign the winger for next season.

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World media have been speculating on Ronaldo’s future for months.

Just before arriving in Switzerland, Ronaldo said he would put an end to the rumors soon, but later said he would wait until the end of the European tournament.

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