Brazil star Ronaldo is to stay with Inter Milan at least for the coming season in the absence of a concrete offer from Real Madrid, his lawyer Alexandre Martins said today.
"Ronaldo chose the Italian team. He's an Inter player and will remain at Inter 365 days a year for four years. He has a contract which he wants to respect and therefore, will continue to work with Inter.
"He still has to talk with the board, but there are no negotiations or offer from Real," Martins said as the 25-year-old forward began pre-season training with his team mates.
Earlier, Ronaldo had tried to pacify Inter fans angry at his request to leave. "I am sad for the fans reaction even though I understand their disappointment, but I prefer to live this situation than publicly tell the reasons that caused me to think about leaving Inter," the Brazilian said on his website.
"Those who really know me know that money is not what interests me," he added. "I will respect my contract, as I always did, and I hope that the situation will evolve in the next few days for my sake and for Inters."
According to Martins that evolution comprises a status quo. Ronaldo arrived back in Milan from Sao Paolo on yesterday, dodging around 100 angry fans who held "Ronaldo: ungrateful" banners at the city's Malpensa airport.
He went straight into a 90-minute meeting with Inter managing director Rinaldo Ghelfi to demand a transfer.
"I confirmed my point of view which is the same as the one that my agent Alexandre Martins explained to president Moratti three months ago," Ronaldo said. Moratti had insisted all along that Ronaldo will remain with the club. Inter still hope the star will fire them to the Serie A title this season after showing, with his eight World Cup goals, that he is back to his top form after three years blighted by serious knee injuries.
AFP