Ferguson says a fond farewell to Ronaldo as life at Real begins

Published on Wednesday 1 July 2009 22:53

CRISTIANO Ronaldo has been given a final farewell from Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson – and immediately discovered the downside to fulfilling his childhood dream.

With a world record 80million fee banked by United and Ronaldo ready for a public unveiling at Real Madrid next week, Ferguson could only wish the Portuguese star well as he launches the new phase of his career.

However, it has immediately become apparent life as a Real star might bring with it a few problems after an unwanted confrontation with a member of the paparazzi in Lisbon last weekend.

"He (the photographer) chased me by car from the Ritz Hotel with my mother in the car with me," Ronaldo told Gestifute, the agency that represents the player.

"The chase so perturbed my mother that I had to stop and convince them to leave us."

It is reported that Ronaldo kicked the offending car, breaking the window which in turn caused minor injuries to a 17-year-old woman, who was travelling in the car.

Anyone who witnessed the extraordinary scenes when David Beckham had his medical at Real would realise such acts in Portugal or Spain are pretty common, where even a brief appearance in public can turn into a big event.

Not that such issues are United's concern now they have opted to cash in on the 24-year-old, who cost just 12million six seasons ago before going on to be voted FIFA's World Player of the Year for 2008.

"Cristiano has been a marvellous player for Manchester United," said Ferguson.

"His six years at Old Trafford have seen him develop into the best footballer in the world.

"His contribution has been a major factor in the club's success in that time and his talent, his ability to entertain and his infectious personality have enthralled fans the world over.

"Everyone here wishes him well in his future career."

The words emphasise the high regard Ferguson has for Ronaldo and acknowledge the awesome contribution he has made, particularly over the past three seasons which have all brought a Premier League title and the minimum of an appearance in the Champions League semi finals.

However, Ferguson must now try not just to fill the void left by Ronaldo's exit, but also that of Carlos Tevez, plus the impending retirements of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Edwin van der Sar and Gary Neville.

The 16million arrival of Antonio Valencia from Wigan is a start, although much more will be expected over the coming weeks.

Lyon's Karim Benzema was one of the players on Ferguson's hit-list, but he now appears certain to join Real Madrid after the two clubs struck a 30million deal yesterday and the player indicated that he was ready to join Ronaldo at the Bernabeu.

That means Ferguson must now scour the planet looking for alternatives to bring competition for Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov beyond young guns Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck.

The 21-year-old Benzema will become Real's third major signing after Ronaldo and Brazil's Kaka.

Real and Lyon agreed a transfer fee which could reach 41 million and Benzema will sign a six-year contract after undergoing a medical. "We needed to make a quick decision and we decided to let Karim go where he wanted," said Lyon coach Claude Puel.

Benzema, who helped Lyon win four consecutive French titles from 2005 to 2008, had said previously he wanted to stay for at least another season.

A statement on Lyon's website said: "The player wished to seize the opportunity offered by Real Madrid to become a major element of their ambitious policy together with some of the world's greatest players."