Ronaldo wanted Neymar at Madrid
Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro has claimed former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo tried to lure Neymar to the Bernabeu, and was the one who tempted the Spanish giants into making an approach.
Ronaldo, now working for football agency 9ine which he founded after retiring from the game in February, has been blamed by the Santos chief for trying to earn money off the back of the Brazil international. The striker, 19, penned new terms with Santos two weeks ago and pledged his future to the club until 2014, and Ribeiro has revealed Ronaldo tried to change things prior to the deal by acting on behalf of Real Madrid. "Ronaldo was the first to speak with Real Madrid and then after that people from the club arrived from Spain," Ribeiro told Folha de Sao Paulo. "He came to me with an offer, but it was well below the buy-out clause [believed to be around €45 million]. "He has stopped being a footballer and he quickly turned into a businessman. I think he wanted to earn money, it's his right. I don't want to earn money. He does." Ribeiro said Santos' aims are to ensure Neymar develops as a player rather than manage his interests off the field. "We do not act in the same area as the agents. Our job is to ensure Neymar enjoys a successful career," he said. Last week Neymar said he was delighted to commit his future to the club following constant speculation linking him to a Spanish move. [Goal.com]