Cristiano Ronaldo wants to join Real Madrid

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.

To win Barcelona's presidential election in 2003 Joan Laporta claimed he would sign David Beckham from Manchester United, but although he won Beckham went on to sign for arch-rivals Real.

Villar Mir, who will have former world rally champion Carlos Sainz as vice-president if elected, is one of the favourites among the five candidates standing in the election.

He has also stated he would like to bring Arsenal's Arsene Wenger to Madrid as a coach/general manager with the power to sign players.

Ronaldo added: "I think Real and United have had a great relationship over a long period of time, and I hope everything turns out well for everyone.

"But for now all I am interested in is the World Cup and I don't want to be distracted."

Marca reported the deal on offer to Ronaldo was a four-year contract earning him 4,000,000 euros ($5.04 million) a year. Ronaldo joined United from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 for $20.63 million. He signed a contract extension last November that tied him to the club until 2010.

He has made 137 appearances for United and scored 27 goals, and is currently competing with Portugal in Germany.

He limped out of his side's 1-0 win over the Netherlands on Sunday with an injured right thigh and is a doubt for Saturday's quarter-final clash with England.