Ronaldo Transfer: Queiroz Warning Over Real

Ronaldo is due to complete his world record move to Real before the end of June after Ferguson’s decision last week to sell the World Footballer of the Year. After attempting to sign Ronaldo in 2006 and 2008, Real have now succeeded in luring the Portuguese from Old Trafford. Ferguson admitted yesterday that he “simply wanted to leave”.

But Queiroz, who forged a close relationship with Ronaldo during his four years as Ferguson’s assistant prior to his departure for the Portugal job last summer, believes that the player is leaving behind the best environment for his career by moving to Madrid.

Queiroz, who managed Real during the 2003-04 season, said: “Manchester United was the right club for him. But at the end of the day, the player has made a decision and United have had a great relationship with him because they have had the best of his performances for the last six years. Cristiano believes it is time to move and the fee is huge, but he has won all the trophies and become the best player in the world in a United shirt.”

Pictures of Ronaldo with the American socialite Paris Hilton during his holiday in Los Angeles have added to the perception that the player is developing a taste for the celebrity lifestyle.

Having managed Real during the first “galacticos” era, Queiroz admits that the Spanish club must avoid celebrity overshadowing the football. Queiroz said: “At Real, those things can happen easily. But I am sure that [Real president] Florentino Perez will learn from the mistakes of a few years ago, when the players were too committed to advertising and compromised by deals outside the pitch.

“When you put together players like Beckham, Zidane, Figo and Roberto Carlos, the challenge is huge and, with Ronaldo and Kaka, I’m sure these things will come up again.”

United’s hopes of replacing Ronaldo with the Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery have suffered another blow with Real confirming their interest in him.

Bayern have warned that it will take “crazy” money to buy Ribery but Real sporting director Zinedine Zidane admits that he is keen to complete a deal.

Carlos Tevez, meanwhile, has told Ferguson that he has no plans to return to United despite the club’s efforts to stop him leaving. Manchester City are tempting Tevez with a 75 per cent pay rise or £140,000 a week, while Chelsea and Liverpool are also interested.