World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo has said he wouldn’t have sanctioned the sales of Angel di Maria and Xabi Alonso if he was in charge of Real Madrid.
The European champions sorely missed both departed midfielders and the injured Ronaldo as they succumbed to a shock 4-2 defeat at Real Sociedad on Sunday.
“If I was in charge, I would not do it like this, but everyone has their opinion and is free to say what they think,” Ronaldo said at a sponsor’s event on Monday.
“If the president thinks it is best for the team to sign some players and let others go then we have to respect and support his decision.”
Mexican international Javier Hernandez became Madrid’s fourth summer signing on Monday after agreeing to a season-long loan deal from Manchester United.
However, despite the arrivals of World Cup stars James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos and Keylor Navas, there was severe criticism of the club in the Spanish press for letting two of their most consistent performers in their run to the record 10th European Cup leave.
Di Maria was man-of-the-match in the Champions League final victory over Atletico Madrid, but was sold for a British transfer record £59.7 million (Dh363.6m) last week.
Alonso, meanwhile, asked to leave the club, citing a need for a new challenge at 32 years of age.
However, Ronaldo also insisted that the new players should be given time to settle in having not had much of a pre-season due to the World Cup.
“We have only been going two weeks, we don’t have to sound the alarm bells yet.
“We need to be calm and work hard. There are three or four new players and the World Cup will affect their physical level.
“The players arrived late and didn’t have a great pre-season. Hopefully, it is just taking a little longer to adjust, but I believe we will have a good season.”
Real face a big test on their return to action in 12 days time though as they face Atletico for already the third time this season after losing 2-1 on aggregate to their local rivals in the Supercopa de Espana (Spanish Super Cup).
And Ronaldo is confident he will be fit to face the La Liga champions.
“My objective is always to play in the next game. I am sure I will be there.”
The European Champions later confirmed the signing of Mexican international striker Javier Hernandez on a season-long loan from Manchester United.
“Real Madrid and Manchester United have reached an agreement for the loan of Javier Hernandez, who will be tied to the club for this season,” the Spanish club said in a statement.
“Real Madrid reserves the option to buy the player.”
Hernandez became Real’s fourth signing of the transfer window.
“I am delighted and I want to thank everyone at this great institution for the effort they showed in bringing me here,” he said as he was paraded in front of the media on Monday.
“There is not a player in the world who can say they haven’t dreamed about playing for Real Madrid.”
The 26-year-old scored 59 goals in 154 appearances for United over the past four seasons, but had fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford even before the English side reportedly sealed a sensational loan deal for Colombian hitman Radamel Falcao on Monday.
He is expected to provide cover for first-choice centre forward Karim Benzema after the departure of the Frenchman’s previous understudy Alvaro Morata to Juventus in June.
“The most important thing is the present. I am here to work, to adapt to the instructions of the coach and offer what he asks,” added Hernandez.
“All the players at the biggest club in the world are important. Those that start and those that are on the bench. We all have to do our bit to ensure this club keeps winning titles.”
Follow us on Twitter @SprtNationalUAE
