Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Valencia CF at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO
Three-time World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo has stressed his desire to remain at Spanish giants Real Madrid beyond the end of his current contract in 2018.
“It is clear I want to stay here, I want to continue here,” he told Spanish television station La Sexta on Wednesday.
Ronaldo has been an astonishing success at Real since joining for a then world record £80m ($116 million) from Manchester United in 2009.
The Portuguese has broken the club’s all-time goalscoring record with 364 goals in 347 games on route to being crowned as the world’s best player in 2013 and 2014.
However, with two years left on his current deal, the 31-year-old has been continuously rumoured with a move to free-spending French champions Paris Saint-Germain or a return to United.
“They can forget everyone else because Real Madrid are the best. It is easy,” added Ronaldo.
“There have been good moments and bad moments…that is life.
“Now I am happy and I want to continue being at this club because I don’t see any club that is better than Real Madrid.
“If you weigh everything up, there is no one better.”
Spanish radio station Cadena SER reported a new deal for Ronaldo could be announced as early as next week after Real take on Atletico Madrid in Saturday’s Champions League final.
“It is better that (club president) Florentino Perez says it,” continued Ronaldo.
“I think it would be an intelligent move from Real Madrid.”