Three-time Ballon d'Or winner lifts the lid on embrace with PSG manager Laurent Blanc and relationship with Rafa Benitez
Wednesday 9 December 2015 22:42, UK
Cristiano Ronaldo has branded talk of a Real Madrid exit as mere speculation and has reiterated he has no intention of leaving the club.
Ronaldo's future in Madrid has been plunged into doubt in recent months, with the three-time Ballon d'Or winner linked with a return to Manchester United and a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain.
However Ronaldo, whose current Real contract expires in 2018, has expressed he is more than happy to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu for the foreseeable future.
"It is speculation. Every year, the same thing," the 30-year-old told Spanish TV station Antena 3 when asked if he was looking to leave Real.
"I am calm, I feel good, and I am happy here. I have two years of contract and I am going to stay here."
Ronaldo ignited suggestions he could be set to leave Madrid for Paris when he was pictured hugging PSG boss Laurent Blanc after a Champions league clash in November.
It had been reported that Ronaldo told Blanc he would love to work with him, but the striker insists he only thanked the former Manchester United defender for praising him in the media before the game.
"I have talked to many people. When people treat me well, I treat [them] well," he said. "A muddle that does not exist was put together.
"What happened with Blanc was that he had spoken very well about me before and I only thanked him for his declarations and I told him that I had liked them a lot."
Much of the exit talk has been based on Ronaldo's relationship with manager Rafa Benitez, with reports suggesting the Portugal international is unhappy with his role in Benitez's defence-minded Real outfit.
Benitez has come under fire from Madrid supporters in recent weeks following a run of poor results, with the Spaniard subjected to whistles before Real's 8-0 Champions League victory over Malmo on Tuesday.
But Ronaldo has voiced his support for his manager, adding: "[Benitez] is doing a good job, he is adapting well and must be given time. We have won five games in a row and we are improving.
"It's normal. In a club like this, when things aren't going well, the people criticise. Benitez must be given time."
