Ronaldo: Madrid was hell, and Capello a devil

Brazilian striker Ronaldo, whose protracted transfer to Milan is nearing its conclusion, has slammed his club Real Madrid, and in particular coach Fabio Capello.

The Italian dropped Ronaldo to the bench after taking charge at the Bernabeu last summer, in favour of Ruud van Nistelrooy, and the striker has revealed his dislike for his former manager.

“He was a devil, and Madrid was hell,” Ronaldo told Italian daily La Stampa, after passing a medical with Milan.

“I am feeling good. I am extremely happy to return here, and I hope to be a Milan player soon,” he added.

The 30-year-old is expected to officially be unveiled by the Rossoneri on Monday, who will pay Real Madrid a transfer fee of 8 million euros.

Ronaldo has now returned to Madrid to begin the process of moving, though is unlikely to bid farewell to his team-mates at Real Madrid, as Capello has announced that the players will have a two-day break after their trip to Villarreal on Saturday.

Ronaldo has medical tests for Milan

MILAN, Italy (AP) - Ronaldo underwent medical tests for AC Milan on Friday following the Italian club's offer to Real Madrid for the Brazilian star.

Ronaldo underwent tests at a private clinic near Como. He then at lunch with coach Carlo Ancelotti before further tests at the club's training center in Milanello. He later returned to Madrid on a private jet, news agency ANSA reported.

Milan has made an undisclosed offer for the 30-year-old striker and club vice president Adriano Galliani has said he will travel to Madrid on Monday in the hope of completing the signing.

Ronaldo left the Spanish capital by private jet on Thursday to attend Milan's 2-2 draw with AS Roma in the first leg of an Italian Cup semifinal at San Siro stadium.

"After the game Ronaldo came to greet us, he seemed very happy," Brazil midfielder Kaka said Friday. "He chose Milan over another offer that was financially more substantial."

Kaka, who plays with Ronaldo for Brazil, said teaming up at Milan would be "a dream come true."

Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport said the deal had not been sealed yet, with Milan offering $9 million for the player and Madrid asking $9.7 million.

Much will depend on the results of the medical tests, the paper said.

"It's not yet all over," Ronaldo was quoted as saying by news agency ANSA.

Ronaldo has six days remaining in the January transfer window to switch clubs. Otherwise, he will have to stay at Madrid at least until the end of the season.

The forward, who hasn't been picked for Madrid since the Jan. 7 defeat at Deportivo La Coruna, said on Monday his difficulties with coach Fabio Capello seem set to force him out of the club.

A move to Milan would take Ronaldo back to the city where he spent five years with rival Inter Milan. He joined Madrid in 2002, winning the Spanish league at the end of his first season -- his last major title.

Ronaldo at Milan a dream come true, says Kaka

AC Milan playmaker Kaka has spoken of his excitement at the prospect of being joined at the club by Brazil team mate Ronaldo, who is on the brink of completing a transfer from Real Madrid.

Ronaldo was in Milan on Friday to undergo medical tests. Italian media reported the clubs were settled on a price between seven and seven-and-a-half million euros.

"When he was The Phenomenon, the number one in the world, I was just starting my career in Brazil," Kaka was quoted as saying on Milan's website on Friday.

"So for him to come to Milan now, for us to play for the same club, would be a dream come true."

Ronaldo has been angling to leave Real since team coach Fabio Capello criticised him as being overweight and told him he did not feature in his future plans.

Kaka said the three-times FIFA World Player of the Year could still be a key player for Milan.

"Ronaldo's greatest strength, in my opinion, is his ability to decide a match with one moment of brilliance," said the 24-year-old, who played alongside the striker at last year's FIFA World Cup in Germany.

"He can be decisive even without the kinds of runs he used to make."

Ronaldo was applauded by Milan's fans when he appeared in the stands at the San Siro to watch the team draw 2-2 with AS Roma in the Italian Cup on Thursday.

"He came to see us after the match. He seemed very happy," revealed Kaka.

"He has chosen Milan ahead of another, much richer offer. That means he still feels he has a lot to give in a league that really counts."

Maldini: AC Milan players excited by Ronaldo arrival

AC Milan veteran Paolo Maldini says Ronaldo is sure to add to coach Carlo Ancelotti's team this season.

Real Madrid striker Ronaldo flew to Milan on Thursday and even had time to watch the Coppa Italia match with Roma before a day on Friday that was dedicated to medical tests and meetings.

After Ronaldo arrived at Milan's Milanello training camp at Carnago near Lake Como, Maldini said: "We said hello to each other and I hope we see each other again in the next few days.

"Up until now Ronaldo has had a very good effect on me. I have always wanted to play with him.

"He is a champion and a courageous player. He is the best player I have played against since (Diego) Maradona, an opponent who is always fair and correct."

Ronaldo had lunch with Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti at Milanello and was due for medical tests in the afternoon.

His arrival at the complex was greeted by fans who had gathered outside the gates of the training base.

Maldini believes the arrival of the former Cruzeiro, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona and Internazionale player will give the club a shot in the arm.

"With the arrival of Ronaldo we have taken a great leap in quality," he told the club's official website.

"He is still one of the best players in the world and a player who has extraordinary gifts."

"It's a change but he is a very courageous player," added Maldini who marked Ronaldo many times in city derbies during the Brazilian's Inter days.

"Besides his technical value his signing will give a boost in confidence to the Rossoneri camp."

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Ronaldo And Milan: Rebirth Or Renewed Heartache?

Ronaldo is finally heading back to Milan. This time he’ll be wearing black and red stripes in a media coup that could help save AC Milan’s second rate season. Will he manage to do so? Maybe he’s not the phenomenon he used to be, but he could still score a few goals (and play better than Inzaghi and Oliveira).

In the meantime Inter fans are extremely upset, to say the least, and they look forward to the local derby to express all their resentment towards Ronaldo. What about Moratti? He’s furious and he doesn’t even try to hide it! Goal.com’s Luca Manes presses the rewind and fast forward buttons as the countdown begins to Ronaldo’s Rossoneri presentation…

San Siro, 11th of March 2007. That day, the La Scala of Italian football will open its doors for a very special derby. Ronaldo will be playing his first Milan derby after a long spell in Madrid, but this time he'll be wearing a black and red shirt.

We can only imagine what kind of atmosphere there will be in the ground. There’s no doubt Inter supporters will welcome back their former idol in a very unfriendly way – and that is quite an understatement.

Will it be something comparable to Figo’s return to Nou Camp wearing a white jersey instead of the Blaugrana stripes? It’s very likely, but hopefully without a pig’s head being thrown on the pitch.

What about AC Milan fans? Are they thrilled? Apparently they’re not that happy either. But maybe they should be more optimistic. Ronaldo still attracts rich sponsorships, but chiefly he can be a big boost for a team showing many difficulties to score goals.

Many pundits love bashing the Rossoneri defense, labeled as too old and slow. That could be quite a misleading message though, as so far in the league they conceded as many goals as Inter and Roma (17).

At the moment the real problem is an ineffective striking force (only 25 goals scored, 19 less than Inter). Inzaghi and Oliveira are just not hitting the net, while Gilardino is not as prolific as when he was performing for Parma. Sheva, we all know, is a distant memory, as he’s playing (badly) in English Premiership.

Ronaldo is eager to help Milan to clinch a vital fourth place – the last Champions League spot for next season. If O Fenômeno is fit he can beat goalkeepers quite easily, as figures can testify (at Real Madrid, despite weight problems, he scored 99 goals in 134 games).

The only problems could be chocolate and a difficult coexistence with Gilardino, as they could step on each other’s feet, being quite similar in their way of playing.

Ancelotti has already stated that he will have to work on that, but also that he likes challenging tasks. Regarding chocolate – and probably not only that – let’s see if the Brazilian will stick to the strict diet they’ll prescribe him at Milanello.

Well, to be honest there’s another side affect of Ronaldo signing: he cannot be employed in Champions League, as he has already played in that competition this year.

He’s not bothered not to play the major European tournament, as he’s is just happy to be in Milan again. He never got along with the Real Madrid fans, and recently his relationship with Capello was turning into a nightmare. And to all evidence he seems not to mind playing for clubs being fierce rivals to each other.

In fact in Spain, a few years before gracing the pitch of Santiago Bernabéu, he had a terrific season at Barcelona, scoring some fantastic goals for the Blaugrana. Those goals convinced Moratti to invest a massive amount of money to secure Inter the best player of the world at that time.

As far as he didn’t get injured he had a massive impact on Italian football. Inter won the UEFA Cup, with Ronaldo dancing a sort of samba in front on Lazio’s Marchegiani before scoring the final goal of that match, while in Serie A they battled with eternal rival Juventus (and a few referees’ unfortunate decisions), just to finish second.

Problems were looming though, as Ronnie picked up so many injuries he could hardly play an entire season. In 2001-2002 he was back to help Inter to win a much awaited scudetto.

In the final game played at Olimpico on the fatal 5th of May 2002 Ronaldo performed poorly and Inter lost 4-2 to Lazio, a wound which is still bleeding for Inter fans. But the Brazilian had also several arguments with Cuper, Inter coach at that time, who wasn’t very keen on the Brazilian force.

Probably Moratti didn’t trust the physical ability of his carioca superstar anymore and didn’t want to get rid of his new Argentinean coach after only a few months, although, as history shows us, Cuper’s stint at Inter was like at Valencia: close but no cigar.

So as Real Madrid were offering big money, Moratti sold Ronaldo; his so-called son. But the general perception amongst Inter fans was that Ronaldo was just a heartless traitor, so the vast majority of them will never forgive him, as they thought he was letting them down big time. Ronnie’s astonishing performances in the 2002 World Cup should have been the final blow for Nerazzurri supporters.

After a short while Cuper was sacked, and maybe Moratti regretted his move to let Ronaldo go to la casa blanca. That’s why last summer he’s supposed to have talked to Real Madrid new chairman Calderon regarding a possible Fenômeno return to Inter.

Perhaps that wasn’t meant to happen because he knew Ronaldo would be a persona non grata at La Pinetina (the Nerazzurri training ground). It has to be said that Moratti has recently dismissed those rumours as nonsense.

As he was talking about the whole story, Inter chairman went further, blasting his surrogate son shock decision to move to AC Milan. “It’s a bad thing and till the end I hoped they wouldn’t reach a deal”, that was Moratti’s harsh comment.

Fortunately he has plenty of reasons to cheer about, as Inter may snatch another double, after long seasons of drought. Would a Ronaldo’s goal in the derby spoil the party or make the day?

We don’t know yet, but for sure he will be an unwelcome guest for many - and a potential hero for others - but will it be the Rossoneri or the Nerazzurri faithful that laugh last and longest?

Ronaldo Set To Spend Last Weekend At Real Madrid

Real Madrid star Ronaldo flew back from Italy to Spain late Friday after undergoing routine medical tests in the run-up to his transfer to AC Milan, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported.

The 30-year-old striker boarded a private flight at Milan's Linate airport, where he could be back as early as Monday after the two clubs sign a transfer deal worth an estimated 6 million euros (7.8 million dollars).

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said that Ronaldo reduced his pay, down from the 6 million euros he earned at Real to 4 million euros per season, to facilitate the negotiations.

"Now we wait for him on the pitch," Galliani said. "We are going to meet (Real managers Franco) Baldini and (Pedjia) Mijatovic. We made an offer and received a counter-proposal. There is still a difference but we hope to smooth it out.

"Ronaldo is a great player who, however, has had several problems (with his knee)," Galliani said commenting on the medical test. "He was found in good physical condition. Better than the doctors expected.

"The (knee) tendon is fully recovered, but, of course, it will take one or two weeks of training.

"The arrival of Ronaldo is by no means to be taken as criticism to anyone (of the team's players). He is here to beef up a forward package which is already very good."

C Milan's Ancelotti: Ronaldo robust not fat

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti says his dressing room has been lifted by the imminent arrival of Real Madrid striker Ronaldo.

"It has been an important week for the club with the arrival of a player like Massimo Oddo and hopefully completing Ronaldo's transfer too," said Carletto after the Real Madrid man underwent a medical.

"The fact he flew all the way over to undergo tests shows he intends to prove himself, otherwise he wouldn't have come to Milan. His presence has brought enthusiasm and there will be even more once the deal is finalised."

The Brazilian was in the stands for Thursday's 2-2 Coppa Italia semi-final draw with Roma and is expected to sign an 18-month contract on Monday.

"Ronaldo has been a world class player. He has lost a little something, but with some solid training he could go back to a great figure," said Ancelotti.

"He doesn't have any structural problems and can quickly recover his form. The claims he's 'fat' are just stereotypical statements. He is robust, not fat."

The man nicknamed 'El Gordo' in Madrid may shake up the squad purely by his presence, as the competition for places upfront intensifies.

"We have four or five strikers that constitute a quality side. I'll decide with each game who to field. I hope that Ronaldo's arrival can be a positive stimulus for Alberto Gilardino and Pippo Inzaghi."

Ronaldo may not be ready, but new signing Oddo could make his Rossoneri debut today against Parma.

"Oddo will be in the squad, there is no problem there. Paolo Maldini was rested against Roma midweek so he wouldn't play twice in three days, but he is fine. Kakha Kaladze will be ready in around 10 days, while Alessandro Nesta should return from Miami at the end of the month to begin the rehabilitation process."

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2006

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Ronaldo is going to Italy

Brazilian soccer star's $10-million transfer from Real Madrid to AC Milan is expected to be finalized today.

Brazilian soccer star Ronaldo, somewhat larger around the middle than in his 2002 World Cup-winning prime, is expected today to complete a $10-million move from Real Madrid to AC Milan.

The three-time FIFA world player of the year's switch from Spain to Italy — nowhere near as momentous as his $45-million move in the opposite direction in 2002 when he left Inter Milan to join Real Madrid — nonetheless could have ramifications as far away as Los Angeles.

Once the sale is out of the way, next on the agenda for the Spanish club is what to do about David Beckham.

Does Real Madrid keep him until his contract runs out June 30 or does it let him leave in time to join the Galaxy before the Major League Soccer season opens April 7?

The Galaxy is not sure what the answer will be.

"At this point, nothing has changed with regards to our approach to the season," said Alexi Lalas, the Galaxy's president and general manager. "We're expecting him to come after the [spanish] season."

Could Beckham come earlier?

"I'm not holding my breath," Lalas said.

But Real Madrid has another project in mind — on the verge of shedding one Ronaldo, it wants to acquire another.

The target this time is Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who turns 22 next week. According to the Spanish newspaper AS, Real Madrid is willing to pay Manchester United $65 million for the player.

United Coach Alex Ferguson has accused Real Madrid of trying to stir unrest within his team, unsettling the very much in-form Cristiano Ronaldo at a time when Manchester United is battling to hold its slim lead over defending champion Chelsea in the English Premier League.

"Real has done the same thing over the years to other clubs," Ferguson said. "They did it with David Beckham. There was nonsense going on for months and months and they got him in the end.

"But we only sell players that we want to sell, and there is no way that Ronaldo is leaving the club. He is developing really well here, he is contracted until 2010 and he won't be going anywhere."

Manchester United's stance is so firm, in fact, that England's Telegraph newspaper said the club intends to extend Ronaldo's contract beyond 2010 and pay him at least $216,000 a week.

That would put the Portuguese youngster almost in the same company as Chelsea's Michael Ballack and Andrei Shevchenko and Arsenal's Thierry Henry, who each make a league-high $255,000 a week.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid Coach Fabio Capello has backed off slightly on his stance that Beckham would never again play for the club.

"People can make mistakes," he said Friday. "When I see that he is in good shape and has a good attitude, then he can form part of the team. But he has to show it."

Beckham sat out Real Madrid's loss to Villareal on Saturday, its third defeat in the last five games, because of a knee injury and sat out the club's victory over Mallorca the week before because of a thigh strain.

"I can only select players who have trained, and he hasn't trained," Capello said. "As with all the other players, it will depend a lot on his physical condition."

Beckham, meanwhile, will soon be reunited with Ferguson, if only for one evening.

He has accepted an invitation to represent a European all-star team in a game against his old club, Manchester United, on March 13 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the treaty that led to the formation of the European Union, and of Manchester United's 50 years of playing in European competition.

The game will be Beckham's first at Old Trafford since leaving Manchester in 2003 to move to Madrid.

"He was a great player at this club and he never had a chance to say goodbye to the fans because the transfer was done during the summer," Ferguson said last month.

"I think he will get a great welcome and deservedly so."

It could be Beckham's farewell to Europe. The transfer window for MLS closes March 31, so if the Galaxy has not pried him loose from Real Madrid by then, he will not come until after July 1, when he becomes a free agent.

Ancelotti Pleased With Ronaldo Signing

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has defended his club's decision to sign Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

The 30-year-old is expected to complete his transfer to the Rossoneri later on Monday in a reported 7million euros transfer.

The former Internazionale forward has been out of favour at Real Madrid and his imminent move to the Rossoneri has met with mixed reactions from supporters who claim he is far from his physical peak.

"Ronaldo is not fat," Ancelotti said.

"He is a very robust player. I think his problem is the fact that in recent times, he has not had much motivation.

"From a physical point of view, he hasn't trained much because he has been excluded from Real Madrid's team and he has lost motivation in training.

"But he remains a great player. In the last five years at Real, he has scored almost 100 goals. No one in the world has done that."

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