Football news

Real Madrid have little chance of signing Cristiano Ronaldo in the immediate future but if the Portugal striker leads Manchester United to continued success he could end up at the Bernabeu, according to coach Bernd Schuster.

"Right now Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world but Manchester don't want to sell him. So in the short term I don't think it will be possible to sign him," Schuster said.

"But in a couple of years, yes, I believe he could be wearing the white shirt at the Bernabeu."

Oddo out for rest of season

Massimo Oddo will miss the rest of the season and is now a major doubt for Euro 2008 after undergoing meniscus surgery.

Oddo's absence will be sorely felt by Milan who must already do without Ronaldo for the rest of the campaign. Marcos Cafu, Serginho and Marek Jankulovski are struggling with injury, while Alessandro Nesta is suspended for the Serie A encounters with Cagliari and Juventus.

Oddo played the first 59 minutes of Milan's 2-1 home defeat to Atalanta, but was substituted and replaced by Cristian Brocchi.

United wait for Vidic scan

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic will have a scan on his knee after being carried off in the 2-0 Champions League win over Roma. Centre-back Vidic fell awkwardly during the first half in Rome and despite sustained treatment had to be replaced.

"I pray it's not serious because he is such an integral part of our team," Alex Ferguson said.

"It might just be a nerve injury but we can't be sure at this moment."

Sao Paulo won't retain Adriano

Sao Paulo supremo Juvenal Juvencio has given up hope of keeping on-loan Inter striker Adriano beyond July. The troubled marksman was allowed to return to his homeland to undergo treatment for depression.

Despite some controversy when he skipped training and the spectre of a lengthy ban when he head-butted an opponent, Adriano is now firing on all cylinders for Sao Paulo.

"There's no possibility that Adriano will stay at Sao Paulo beyond July 18 - the day that our deal ends," Juvencio admitted. "The fact is clear that after the predicted six months the player has to return to Italy."

Moratti denies Mourinho link

Inter boss Massimo Moratti has broken his silence regarding the speculation linking Jose Mourinho to his club. According to recent reports, the former Chelsea boss has been lined up as a replacement for current coach Roberto Mancini at the end of the season.

Moratti said: "The assumption of Mourinho is an idea that others have, but it's not the truth."

Things have not gone well for Inter ever since their Champions League exit to Liverpool last month. Since then, Moratti has repeatedly had to deny he is looking for a new coach.

Bojan wins praise

Bojan Krkic earned a warm tribute from coach Frank Rijkaard after the 17-year-old played beyond his years to give Barcelona a valuable 1-0 win over Schalke 04 in the Champions League on Tuesday.

"I'm delighted for Bojan because he just does everything right on the field," Rijkaard said. "Every decision he takes is the right one. You look at his age and then you see him performing like a great player for his team. He deserves special congratulation."

Ronaldo has a lot to learn - Pizarro

Roma's David Pizarro rates Cristiano Ronaldo as a great player but reckons the Man. United winger has a lot to learn regarding sportsmanship.

Pizarro accused Ronaldo of showing arrogance towards his opponents in United's 2-0 win in Rome on Tuesday. Ronaldo was booed by the home crowd for teasing opposing defenders with his tricks on the pitch.

"Despite the fact that he is a great champion, he is very arrogant," said Pizarro. "He does certain spiteful things on the pitch... in the return leg I will have something to say to him."

Huntelaar wants perfect offer

Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar said he will only leave the club if the perfect offer comes along. The Holland international has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

"I must have a real good feeling about a club if I am to leave Ajax," Huntelaar said. "There must be something so I can say it feels good."

Huntelaar said incoming Ajax coach Marco van Basten, is keen to keep him at the club. "He would like to see me stay with Ajax," Huntelaar said.

Van der Sar asked to stay

Bert van Marwijk, the future Holland coach, is hoping to convince Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar to extend his international career. Van der Sar revealed back in October that he would stop playing for Holland after Euro 2008.

But Van Marwijk is keen to keep the 37-year-old as his number one when he takes over from Marco van Basten after the summer tournament.

"I will try to speak with him and try to convince him to stay," Van Marwijk said. "He is still a very good keeper."