Cristiano Ronaldo has no star mentality says Real Madrid coach

Updated on: 13 July,2009 08:09 AM IST |
AFP |

Real coach Pellegrini says expensive signing Ronaldo does not behave like a superstar on field

Real coach Pellegrini says expensive signing Ronaldo does not behave like a superstar on field

Cristiano Ronaldo during a training session at the Valdebebas Real Madrid training camp yesterday. pic/AFP

"He's as I expected him to be. He is the first to arrive at a training session, he has fully integrated into the squad, he doesn't act as a star," he said yesterday during his first post-training press conference as Real's new coach.

Normal player
"He is a very talented but normal player who is devoted to Real Madrid. His image is very different to how he is as a player."

Real signed the player from Manchester United last month on a six-year deal worth around 94 million euros (131 million dollars) and he will reportedly be paid 13 million euros each season, making him the most expensive player in the world.

The 24-year-old was officially unveiled before some 75,000 ecstatic Real fans on July 6 at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. He had to be hurried away as spectators leapt over security barriers to try to get an autograph.

Real has spent over 200 million euros in the pre-season to sign new talent, including Brazilian playmaker Kaka and French international striker Karim Benzema.

Pellegrini said he hopes the squad will be completed by the end of the month.

"The sooner the better. July 27 would be good because that's when all our internationals return.

"But I'm not bothered about waiting a while longer if there are any doubts concerning a signing. There's no deadline," he said.

Real will face Deportivo La Coruna at home on the weekend of August 29-30 in their first league match of the new season.

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