Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Gago: Real would welcome Ronaldo


Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo would be made to feel welcome at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Portuguese superstar has been linked with a move to Real for much of the summer, but Manchester United have steadfastly refused to do business.

Holland international Wesley Sneijder gave an insight into the mood in the Real dressing room when suggesting the reported hue pay packet on the table would cause unrest in the camp.

Gago, though, has given a different viewpoint – insisting a player of Ronaldo’s qualities would be welcomed to the club.

“Well, he’s a great player and it seems logical to me that such a team as Real Madrid want him, because all the big clubs are interested in him,” Gago told AS.

“I don’t know whether he’s going to join us or not, but we would open the doors to him.”

Commenting on Sneijder’s concerns about Ronaldo’s reported wages, Gago added: “If Cristiano Ronaldo joins Real Madrid he will earn a lot of money because he deserves it and I would only congratulate him, but in the changing room he’d just be one more player and it would be expected of him to act like a trainee.

“Here we are all equal. This is a team and everyone must give their best to achieve a common aim.”

Gago feels Ronaldo is below Barcelona star Lionel Messi in football’s pecking order.

“To me he’s not the best,” added Gago. “To me the world’s best is Messi for the way he plays when he’s in control of the ball.

“He’s an incredible talent and I’m delighted with the way he lives football.”