MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo is concentrating on playing well for Real Madrid and is not agitating to improve the terms of his contract with the Spanish champions, the Portugal forward said on Wednesday.
Arriving back in Madrid after helping his country to World Cup qualifying wins against Luxembourg and Azerbaijan, Ronaldo wrote on his Facebook page it is “now time to return to the club and think only about my club”.
He added: “I would like to reaffirm, without being concerned about contracts, that my focus is solely on winning every game and every available trophy with the essential company of my team mates and all madridistas.”
Ronaldo dropped a bombshell after Real’s match at home to Granada earlier this month when he told reporters he was “sad” for professional reasons, prompting speculation he might be seeking an exit from the Spanish club.
The world’s most expensive player, who reportedly earns around 11 million euros a season, had earlier refused to celebrate his two goals in the 3-0 La Liga victory and would not elaborate on the reasons for his sadness.
He said only that “those who worked in the club” knew why.
Local media have reported he doesn’t feel appreciated and wants more cash and fiercely pro-Real sports daily Marca said on Tuesday that he had asked the club to bump his salary up to a post-tax 15 million euros and extend his contract.
The 27-year-old former Manchester United player denied last week he is down in the dumps because he is not earning enough, but has yet to provide any other explanation, which has confused team mates and fans alike.
Injured Iniesta out for up to 15 days
Meanwhile, Madrid’s fierce rivals Barcelona were hit by the news that Andres Iniesta has returned from Spain international duty with a muscle strain in his right leg and will be out for between 10 and 15 days, the club said on Wednesday.
Iniesta, recently crowned Europe’s best player by UEFA, will miss Saturday’s La Liga match away at Getafe and Wednesday’s Champions League Group G opener at home to Spartak Moscow.
He could be back for the La Liga game against Granada a week on Saturday, however.
There are other injury and health worries, too, for the Catalan side.
Jordi Alba, who was also called up for Friday’s friendly against Saudi Arabia and Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier in Georgia, has the flu and club medical staff will assess the fullback’s health again on Friday, Barca added.
Forward David Villa, another Spain international, said on Wednesday that he still needed some “running in” after recently returning to action following a broken leg sustained at the Club World Cup in December.
“I was out for many months, almost eight without playing, and that requires a certain recovery process,” Villa told a news conference before Wednesday’s training session.
“You have to be patient because rushing back now would not benefit anyone,” added the 30-year-old, Spain’s record scorer who netted on his first game back for both club and country.
“Everything I missed in the meantime won’t come back however fast I go.”
Barcelona currently find themselves at the top of La Liga after a perfect start after three matches, enjoying a five-point advantage over defending champions Real Madrid. (Reuters)