Delighted

"At 22, he has the same skill factor as Maradona and Pele. He is one of the best signings I have ever made. The measurement of his improvement this year is astronomical. In terms of top-flight football, where do you find a winger who has scored 20 goals. It is incredible. Without question, Cristiano is getting to the level of best player in the world. Thereafter, it is up to others to decide whether he is as good as Maradona and Pele. That is the challenge in front of him now.

"Why should he move? He's seen his career rise here, he plays in front of 76,000, he is well liked and there is a great atmosphere within the dressing room. There was no reason for him to leave, other than the fact people perceive Real Madrid as a club for galacticos, or whatever they call them. They have this pretty conceited notion about themselves but we never discussed that club with him. It was down to a simple equation of does the boy want to stay and how much is it going to cost us? Barcelona are a fantastic club, too, but I can't say they are miles in front of us. Most people recognise we are one of the biggest clubs in the world and we believe Cristiano is in the right place."