Ronaldo says made up mind on Real transfer last year

Cristiano Ronaldo says he made up his mind last year to quit Manchester United for Real Madrid, whom he has agreed to join for a world record 93 million euros, the News of the World reports in Sunday’s edition.

Madrid courted Ronaldo all through last summer but the 24-year-old decided to stay and try to help United defend their 2008 Champions League title, featuring in their final loss in May to Barcelona.

Although United retained their English Premier League title, Ronaldo told the paper he decided to leave after the May 2007 final win over Chelsea.

“After we won the European Cup. I thought there is no more I can achieve here,” said the Portuguese.

“And when you have done all you can, you know it is time for a new challenge. I stayed one more season and it was nice to make it three titles in a row but it was my dream to play for Madrid.”

Ronaldo is reportedly set to earn 13 million euros a year with Real to become the world’s highest-paid footballer once the finishing touches are put to his move but he insisted: “Of course, I have not gone for the money.

“To go down as the greatest. It will take lots of work but that is my target. If you go down as the greatest at Madrid it means you are one of the greatest of all time.”

Ronaldo also touched on his antics in the 2006 World Cup, when he greeted the sending off of United teammate Wayne Rooney during his country’s quarter-final win over England with a sly wink.

“Sometimes you do things because emotions are running high – but Wayne is my good friend,” Ronaldo said.

“I can’t regret it because I think the whole experience made me stronger.

“But looking back it was not the right thing to do and not something I would do any more.”