Those continue to hope for Cristiano Ronaldo transfer to Manchester United saw their final hopes dashed by new Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian told reporters that he expected Ronaldo to remain with the club for the upcoming season. Moreover, Ancelotti's comments seemed to suggest that Ronaldo's contract renewal situation would be sorted out soon.
"Everyone knows that he is a superstar and a great player," Ancelotti told the media in Spain. "The most important thing for the club is that a player of his quality shows the utmost professionalism.
"That is good, especially for the young players who can see a world-class player working with that attitude. I am not responsible for the renewal of his contract, but it won't be a problem," he added.
Ancelotti's comments are in line with those of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. The executive has repeatedly stated that he not expects Ronaldo to remain with the club, but he expects him to retire at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"The person who wants to retire at Real Madrid is Ronaldo, and Real want him to retire here too," Perez said in an interview with Univision.
"I will do everything in my power to renew the contract. He has two years left on his contract, he is the best in the world and we would like to give a boost to the team with him as a leader and an emblem," said Perez in another interview. "I would not sell him for 1,000 million euros (1 billion Euros). We are not a selling club."
Ronaldo has also stated his interest in remaining with his current club.
"I enjoy of course to play there [Real Madrid], I play there for four years so I want to continue there," he said during an interview in Singapore.
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