The Irish Mail on Sunday

Ronaldo looking for 10-year Madrid deal

- By Sergio Jontira

CRISTIANO RONALDO has suggested Real Madrid should offer him a 10-year contract to ensure he sees out his career at the Spanish club.

‘If I were the president of Real Madrid, I would give myself a 10-year contract,’ Real’s all time top scorer, now 31, told reporters after scoring on his return from injury in a 5-2 La Liga win over promoted Osasuna. Ronaldo’s current contract runs out in 2018.

‘Right now I’m not thinking about anything else in my career, all I want is to retire at Real. This is the biggest club in the world and it should have the best players,’ said the Portuguese.

Ronaldo also hit back at old adversary and former Barcelona great Xavi for suggesting that Lionel Messi was a better player than the Real striker.

‘Xavi never won the Ballon d’Or, I have three,’ he said, referring to the FIFA award for the world player of the year.

Ronaldo, who had been out of action for two months with a knee injury, won the Ballon d’Or in 2008, 2013 and 2014 and is favourite for another this year after winning the Champions League with Real and Euro 2016 with Portugal.

He played 65 minutes against Osasuna, his first appearance since injuring his knee in the Euro 2016 final.

‘I felt good physically, I could have played for 90 minutes without any problems but I played with a little fear.’

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