Blatter says he was misquoted in calling Ronaldo a "slave"

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Friday he was misquoted in media reports citing him as calling Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo a "slave."

Blatter last month called on the English club to release the Portuguese player if he wanted to join Real Madrid, rather than hold him against his will.

"I have never said that Ronaldo is a slave," Blatter said during a Vietnam visit, where he was inaugurating part of a youth football training ground.

"What I said is slavery is with the young people -- youngsters that European clubs are trying to get, 13, 14 and 15 year old young boys -- and bring them to the big clubs. This is my expression, this is modern slavery.

"I have never mentioned that for Ronaldo. But the press ... they have distorted it. Ronaldo is not a slave."

He added that FIFA would not play a role in any dispute over Ronaldo.

"Let them work in peace now," Blatter said. "Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United and Real Madrid, they can solve this problem. For the time being, we have nothing to say."

Blatter also again stressed that clubs should release under-23 footballers to play in the Olympics, in line with FIFA rules.

"This principle has been made by the FIFA congress in the year 1988," he said. "It has worked for 20 years and nobody has ever put into question that the player under 23 shall be released."

"Now we have problems with two clubs in Germany and one in Spain, but you have seen that the two Brazilian players -- Rafinha and Diego -- they will play tonight here, they are with their team."

Vietnam and Brazil were later to play a friendly in Hanoi.

"We are confident that finally the clubs they will understand that it is right for these players to go to the Olympic Games," Blatter said. "It is not only a question of solidarity. It's also a question of right."

Ronaldo: I'm Joining Madrid Next Week

Cristiano Ronaldo has sensationally told Spanish newspaper 'AS' that he will be joining Real Madrid, and will next week travel to Manchester to notify Sir Alex Ferguson that he is leaving the English and European Champions.

Real Madrid have been on red alert ever since the Portuguese international spoke of his ambition to join them. Madrid President Ramon Calderon has even boasted of how he would splash out €100m on the United man, only for the English club to refute all offers and shackle the player.

It now seems as if the English club has no choice but to sell, as Ronaldo has issued an ultimatum as he attempts to cut and run from Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

Ronaldo is currently in Portugal where he is recovering from injury but he admits that he will return to England next week to confront his club and tell them that he is joining Real.

"Everything is fine. Next week I will return to England and tell them [Manchester United] that my only desire is to play for Real Madrid and that I will not negotiate," Ronaldo told AS.

According to reports in Spain, the winger will hold a meeting next Tuesday with Ferguson and the club's owners to tell them that he has had enough.

It's not what United fans want to hear but it seems as if the Ronaldo saga is finally coming to an end and no doubt Calderon will be dancing to the tune of Ronaldo's words.

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.”