Real Madrid have no intention of re-signing their all-time club record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo as he does not fit into their sporting project.
The Portuguese superstar ended his relationship with United by mutual consent this week, following his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan. However, the Spanish and European champions – for whom Ronaldo netted a scarcely believable 450 goals in 438 appearances – have no interest in re-signing him.
Paris Saint-Germain are among the clubs to rule themselves out of the running alongside Bayern Munich, while Ronaldo's former club Sporting Lisbon have also distanced themselves from making a move.
Real Madrid had been suggested as a potential alternative for Ronaldo due to the scarcity of attacking options available to boss Carlo Ancelotti. Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema has played fewer than 50 per cent of first-team minutes for Real Madrid this season and his fitness problems have also ruled him out of the World Cup.
Los Blancos have fewer other options as central strikers, with Benzema's absence bringing a fluid front three of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes and Marco Asensio. However, all three are more comfortable in wider roles and none suit the central striking position.
The only other natural striker in Madrid's first-team squad is Mariano Diaz, but such is his lack of favour within the club's management – the 29-year-old has totalled a meagre 20 minutes of first-team action in La Liga this season, despite steering clear of injuries and Benzema's absence.
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That has led to speculation that Ronaldo, who is now a free agent, could potentially be making a sensational return to the Spanish capital in January on a short-term contract. However, Diario AS insists that Real Madrid have categorically ruled out a move.
Despite scoring 24 goals for United last season across all competitions, Ronaldo is just three months away from celebrating his 38th birthday and, unsurprisingly, his physicality is putting limitations on what he can contribute to teams operating at the highest level. His goals numbers have plummeted this campaign, with just three goals in all competitions – two of which came against FC Sheriff Tiraspol.
Ronaldo is fully focused on the current World Cup and international duty with Portugal but he appears to be no closer to finding a club that will sign him in the January transfer window despite not currently being contracted elsewhere.
