MADRID, June 27: Manchester United and Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo has said he would like to play for Real Madrid and plans to talk about his future after the World Cup. Ronaldo has aligned himself with a candidate for Real's presidential election on July 2, Juan Miguel Villar Mir, and although he has made no firm commitment to a move he said he would open negotiations if Villar Mir wins.

“I have told my agent I am prepared to leave. I want to do it in the best manner possible. I want to play for Real Madrid and dream of doing so,” Ronaldo told the Spanish sports daily Marca on Tuesday.

“I have gone with Villar Mir's project because it is serious and follows correct procedures. They have explained to me their plans and the next step is they will talk to Manchester United to open negotiations.

“Other candidates wanted me to sign a document which is not legal. Villar Mir has promised me he will talk to the club and all we have done is talk through an agent.”

Villar Mir's move to sign Ronaldo is similar to Florentino Perez's election winning gambit that helped him to the presidency in 2000, when he said he would sign Barcelona's Luis Figo if the members elected him.—Reuters