Soccer

Ronaldo situation ‘very strange’ - Perez

“I know Cristiano, he’s a good guy as a professional and as a person”

Real Madrid’s President Florentino Perez speaks to Jose Ramon de la Morena during an interview for Onda Cero radio station’s program ‘El Transistor’ in Madrid.

Tue Jun 20 2017 - 09:10

Re-elected Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has described the uncertainty surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's future as "very strange".

Reigning Ballon d'Or and Best Fifa Men's Player award winner Ronaldo has been linked with a return to Manchester United having been "outraged" by what he feels is unfair treatment by Spanish tax authorities, making him determined to leave the country.

The 32-year-old only signed a new deal with Real in November and is under contract until 2021, though his unhappiness has caused an issue for Perez as he begins his new term as the head of the European and Spanish champions.

When speaking publicly on Monday, having run unopposed to return as president for the next four years, Perez did not reference Ronaldo when discussing the current state of Los Blancos.

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But in a later interview with radio station Onda Cero he revealed he had plans to talk to the Portuguese in the coming days.

In quotes carried on Marca’s website, Perez said: “I have not spoken to him. I’ve heard about the Cristiano situation from what newspapers have written.

“I know Cristiano, he’s a good guy as a professional and as a person. This is very strange and in the next few days I’ll talk to him.

“I must defend him at all costs, both as a player and as a person. What I will say is that everyone must fulfil their tax obligations. I have no doubt that Cristiano will be able to defend himself.

“What they have told me is that he has the same financial arrangements as he had in England, where he had no problems.”

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