July 08, 2008	Tuesday	Rajab 4, 1429

AMSTERDAM (The Netherlands), July 7: Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo underwent successful surgery on Monday morning on his right ankle at a hospital in Amsterdam, the Premier League club said.

“The initial indications are that the procedure was successful,” United said in a statement. “Cristiano will begin his convalescence under the direction of club medical staff and an estimation of his return to full fitness will be possible following review by the specialist in one month.”

Hospital spokesman Johan Kortenray told The Associated Press that Ronaldo is expected to leave the Academic Medical Center on Tuesday.

Ronaldo could miss the start of the Premier League season next month.

The 23-year-old Portuguese revealed after last month’s European Championship that he had been playing in pain for the last three months. He arrived at the hospital on Sunday night to see surgeon Niek van Dijk.

Ronaldo scored 42 goals for the Red Devils last season as he powered them to them to triumphs in the Premier League and Champions League. But at Euro 2008 Portugal was ousted in the quarterfinals.

The ankle surgery comes as speculation continues about a possible move to Real Madrid for Ronaldo. Madrid president Ramon Calderon said Sunday he is ready to begin transfer talks with Manchester United, but is not confident about signing the winger even if Manchester United consents.

While Ronaldo has stoked up the possibility of moving to the Spanish champion, no transfer request has been submitted and United has vowed to retain the player.

“Theoretically there is still time as there are two months before the end of August if Manchester United gets in touch with Real Madrid and makes an offer,” Calderon told reporters before watching Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final on Sunday. “But we don’t know if it would be feasible once a sale is proposed.”—AP