Special features

Heinze quashes Ronaldo theory

Real ace says he was no pawn in Ronaldo bid

Last updated: 29th October 2008

Heinze: Plays down suggestions

Ferguson has spoken about me in the last months and I don't understand this. I thought he had forgotten me.

Heinze
Quotes of the week

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Gabriel Heinze has branded Sir Alex Ferguson's theory that he was only signed by Real Madrid in order to persuade Cristiano Ronaldo to follow suit as 'absolute fiction'.

Although Ferguson believes Heinze is a good player in his own right, he believes Real signed him to use his friendship with the Portugal international as another reason for the winger to jump ship.

However, Heinze has laughed off Ferguson's suggestion, stating FIFPro World Player of the Year Ronaldo is a smart enough player to decide his own destiny.

The Argentine defender is even surprised the experienced Scottish boss remembers him after he slipped down The Red Devils' pecking order following the arrival of Patrice Evra from Monaco.

Absolute fiction

"This theory of Ferguson about me going to Real in order to persuade Cristiano to come the following summer is a work of absolute fiction," Heinze told the Daily Mail.

"I am a very good friend of Cristiano Ronaldo. This is true, but he always decides his own future. Cristiano is a clever person and he decides himself what is best for his own life.

"If he asked me a question about Real then, of course, I will answer, but I'm not a bad influence on him. Ferguson has spoken about me in the last months and I don't understand this. I thought he had forgotten me.

"He's the boss at United and any person who protests about anything is marginalised. This was my problem at times when I was there. Ferguson cannot stop my quotes because I'm not now at United.

"I'm actually convinced Cristiano would offer Madrid even bigger performances then he has at United. This is my opinion and it is normal that I have wanted him to come and play with us here in La Liga."