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 And Anderson's Mansions Targeted

Manchester United pair Cristiano Ronaldo and Anderson have been alerted to an incident concerning their multi-million pound mansions in Alderley Edge.

The Mirror reports that unnamed thieves first targeted the home of a cleaner who is contracted to both properties, making off with the keys to Ronaldo and Anderson's houses.

The keys were inside the cleaner's handbag and found stashed nearby by police officers.

Both players are currently out of the country, but Old Trafford staff have alerted them of the breach and assigned security to their homes and the surrounding area.

The plush area in Ashton-under-Lyne, 12 miles south of Manchester, is home to a number of current United stars including Rio Ferdinand, Mikaël Silvestre and Michael Carrick. The Beckhams also lived there during David's time at the club.

A source explained: "There is no evidence this was a targeted break-in, but you simply don't know."

Police confirmed the theft, adding that, "inquiries are ongoing."

Meanwhile, Anderson is hoping his house will be safe enough by the time he returns from Beijing to store a gold medal.

The 20-year-old will represent Brazil U-23s in the Olympic football tournament and hopes for a strong showing.

He said: "I can't deny how important it is to win the only medal that Brazil has never won."

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.”

Calderon still waiting on Ronaldo

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon admits he can do little more as the club wait for Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo to decide on his future.

The Portuguese star has been tracked by Real all summer, although United are adamant they are not prepared to sell the man whose goals helped them to Barclays Premier League and Champions League glory last season.

Ronaldo has refused to confirm where his future lies and Calderon told Spanish sports daily AS: "Look, this is a problem that wasn't created by Real Madrid. That which is exaggerated or not about this signing is down to those who've given it as read that the deal is closed and not by us. Madrid are just spectators in this soap opera."

He added: "At the moment Manchester United and the player are in an argument and Madrid are waiting...and we can't do any more for the time being.

"Obviously, it's clear that we want Cristiano with the quality that he has. But there is a contractual problem that United and the player have to resolve, not us.

"Will he persuade the club to let him go? I can't say that. That question's for the player, who has publicly said his dream is to play for Madrid.

"We hear those words with pride and satisfaction, but his departure doesn't only depend on Cristiano. United are the ones that have to sort it out and it will either happen or not."

Ronaldo, who is recovering from ankle surgery, is yet to return to Manchester, but Calderon believes when he finally does it could be decisive for player and club.

"It could happen then, but it's true that we have to wait developments," he continued. "Everyone's thinking so much about this matter that people can get confused and I understand that they're fed up.

"They (United and Ronaldo) will talk next week and if after this conversation United decide to sell him, then of course Madrid will be there."

The heat is off.. but not for Cristiano Ronaldo

It's difficult to understand how the bookies are always right on the money when they offer odds on what the weather is going to do. You'd presume they get their information from the experts like the Met Office. Except the Met Office is normally wrong when it comes to forecasts. They're not even effective at policing London any more.

The meteorological office isn't much better. If Michael Fish told us we were going to have a good day the opposite generally happened. However, if Ulrika Jonsson said you were going to have a good night there was no reason to doubt her.

Everybody complains about the weather but very few of us do anything about it. We have been told summer has officially ended. For those who aren't certain it took place on Thursday 3rd July. A strict hosepipe ban was called for the following day. It was so strict American women were forbidden wearing panty hose.

Last weekend's weather was the best we are likely to see this year, or so say the bookies. Hills offer even money the UK won't have a hotter weekend again this summer.

But Ronaldo will still be able to concentrate his pre-season efforts on browning himself as he browns off Fergie. It makes a refreshing change to see footballers being roasted.

Ronaldo dating Italian model?

MANCHESTER UNITED star CRISTIANO RONALDO is reportedly dating Italian model LETIZIA FILIPPI.
According to Italian sources, the winker met the beauty while on holiday with fiancée NEREIDA GALLARDO, a week before they split up.

The source claims Letizia - who is seven years older than Ronaldo - is the reason why he ended his seven-month relationship with the Spanish model.

The ex-couple reportedly had dinner with Letizia and her then-partner onboard a yacht, during which the Man Utd ace and his latest lover "exchanged a number of glances".

Ron was "totally bewitched" by Letizia and attempted to give her his number at the end of the night, which she rejected.

However the Portuguese star was not put off - he "inundated her with texts and flowers" before eventually winning her over.

Letizia lives in Rome and rose to fame in her homeland by finishing third place in the 1994 Miss Italia.

A career in TV followed and she caught the attention of Italian ski champion, ALBERTO TOMBA, whom she dated for two years.

After that relationship came to an end, she started seeing former Napoli and Parma footballer MASSIMO CRIPPA.

More to follow...