Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has said that he has no desire to play for Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester City and that his desire is to remain with Los Blancos.

The 31-year-old has been troubled by a thigh strain through recent weeks and missed the first leg of the Champions League semifinal against Manchester City.

On Tuesday he raised concerns over his fitness for Saturday's Champions League final against Atletico Madrid when he limped out of training.

In an interview with Jugones de LaSexta, he reassured supporters that he is fit for the final match and discussed his future plans.

"The other clubs [PSG, Manchester City] can forget it, I am going to retire at Real Madrid," the Portugal international said. "It would be smart of Real Madrid to renew my contract. I want to stay here. There have been good moments and others that were bad. Four years ago I wasn't happy but now I am content and I don't see any other club better than Real Madrid. None are better.

"I am going to retire at Real Madrid -- within 15 years at the minimum. I want to stop playing at age 41 or something like that," he said with a laugh. "We shall see that I will renew my contract at the end of the season."

Ronaldo allayed fears that he was injured on Tuesday's practice. Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane had earlier admitted that Ronaldo was not at peak condition but was confident he would be in good shape by the weekend.

"Cristiano is always right there, in the matches that I have to be in," he said. "I am going to be at 100 percent. I will be better on Saturday in this final than I was in Lisbon [two years ago]. Obviously there was a small problem at training, but on Saturday I will be at 100 percent.

"It is terrible to not be fit for a Champions League final," he added. "I know that it is my fault because I like to play in all our matches. I need to learn to measure out my time and to rest for two or three matches.

"It is my fault, I admit that people say to me -- Cris you are not 20 any more. But I still think I'm a young lad. I look like a 25-year-old."

Ronaldo returned for the second Champions League semifinal leg against City and also played in the 2-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna on May 14, scoring both goals, but was substituted at half-time and has not played a full part in training sessions since then.

"It would be a failure if we didn't win the Champions League," Ronaldo said "If we win, it will have been an excellent season. If we lose, it will be a failure.But I feel that we are going to win Champions League. This will be a 'top' season."

Regarding the coaching transition from Rafa Benitez to Zidane, Ronaldo said: "Some things can be learned, others no, but one can always learn from the managers. In Benitez I saw things that were different from other [managers]. There are things that no one can teach you. Benitez would tell me how to kick the ball, how to dribble and I would say, OK, because it is preferable to say thank you and leave it at that."

About Zidane, Ronaldo said: "He is a very smart person. He doesn't say much but he has a positive attitude. I identify with him. I want for us to win and I want Zidane to stay on for a few more years. He may not have much experience as a coach but he is finding his way just fine."

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by ESPN staff

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