Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has dismissed the talk of Cristiano Ronaldo making a switch to the Chinese Super League. The 33-year-old has been recently tipped for a move to the Far East, and the speculation has been intensified with former Portugal coach Luis Scolari revealing that Ronaldo enquired about life in the country of China.
However, Perez has quickly put cold water over the gossip by citing that Ronaldo has not asked to leave the Bernabeu giants, he told AS: “If you have a friend who lives in Hong Kong, you ask him how he is in Hong Kong, it's normal. He hasn't asked us to leave, he has a contract for another year, but when the results are not great...”
Ronaldo had a slow start to his season with Real Madrid as he struggled to find the scoresheet in the Spanish La Liga. However, his form has vastly improved since the turn of the year, and he is now one of the most in-form players across Europe, having contributed 11 goals in the space of just five games across all competitions.
Perez is likely to plan a squad overhaul at the Capital outfit following their average performance in their league defence, but Ronaldo’s future at Madrid looks intact, with more than three years left on his existing deal. There has been talk of unrest for the Portuguese, owing to the bumper deals offered to the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar at their respective clubs, but Ronaldo has stayed mum on the situation.
With Real Madrid already out of Copa del Rey and La Liga this term, they are likely to maintain their focus on the Champions League campaign, where have been pitted against Juventus in the quarter-final stage. The Spanish giants became the first club to win the competition in successive seasons in the modern era last term, and they will be looking to make history this term with a third-straight crown.