Luis Figo believes Real Madrid will be able to cope with the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting he is not “indispensable”.
Ronaldo is yet to comment on his future after claims he wishes to leave Santiago Bernabeu emerged last week.
Those reports were prompted by accusations – which the player denies – that he defrauded Spanish tax authorities out of €14.7 million.
Former club Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with a swoop for the 32-year-old, though Madrid president Florentino Perez stressed this week his side had no plans to sell the prized asset.
Although Figo does not believe the 2016 Ballon d’Or winner, who is hot favourite to win the 2017 award too, will leave, he insists no player or executive is bigger than the Liga and European champions.
“I hold the opinion that nobody is indispensable, not just Cristiano Ronaldo,” Figo said to Gol when asked about the Portugal forward’s future.
“Clubs can’t depend on anybody. The history of these clubs is above everyone, even the president or whoever.
“A lot of things would have to happen for him to leave.
“It is a personal decision and if a person really wants something to happen then it will end up happening, but I see it as unlikely.”
Ronaldo is with Portugal at the Confederations Cup and scored the winning goal in Wednesday’s 1-0 victory over hosts Russia in Moscow.
He refused to answer questions on his club future after winning the man of the match award, instead giving a prepared statement talking only about Portugal’s triumph.
That came after Ronaldo also skipped his media duties as man of the match following Portugal’s 2-2 opening-match draw with Mexico, claiming he needed to undergo treatment on a knock instead.
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Courtesy of Goal.com – the world’s largest football website. |
