Record-breaker Ronaldo just loves to be hated

Cristiano Ronaldo does not care if his move to Real Madrid makes him a figure of hate. In fact, the Portugal winger says he loves it when people jeer him but claims he wants to rewrite the history of football. Manchester United accepted Real Madrid's £80million (Dh484m) bid for Ronaldo last week, and he is ready to shoulder the burden of being the world's most expensive player and the hatred that might bring from rival supporters. He said in an interview with French magazine So Foot: "I love it when people jeer me. I love to see the hate in their eyes, to hear the insults. It doesn't bother me.

"It's true lots of people hate me but there are even more who love me and who support me. I feel bad only when I play badly. Fortunately, that happens rarely." He added: "I still have a long way to go. I really want to rewrite the history of football. "I am aware I'm already among the best of the best but I want to continue to write many more beautiful pages." Sir Alex Ferguson believes United did well to keep Ronaldo at Old Trafford for as long as they did, but were resigned to losing the World and European Player of the Year.

Ronaldo's desire to leave the Premier League champions had become apparent, and Ferguson told The Mail on Sunday: "He wanted to leave, it's as simple as that. He was going to go some time. We've done well to keep him for so long." Ronaldo was outshone by Lionel Messi in last month's Champions League final, but is not interested in comparing himself to the Barcelona player. He said: "I have nothing to envy Lionel for. I don't compare myself to others. I am Cristiano Ronaldo - and I can win more medals than anybody else."

The former Real great Zinedine Zidane has warned Ronaldo he will have to come to terms with being just another player at Madrid. He said in the Sunday Mirror: "Ronaldo will have to come to terms with being just another star at the club. With the arrival of Brazilian Kaka and more expected to follow, he cannot expect to take centre stage at a club like Real." And he believes United's decision to sell Ronaldo could prove a wise one. He said: "Yes Manchester United are losing one of the top three players in the world, but with the money they are getting they can actually end up having a stronger and more balanced squad."

Meanwhile, defender Nemanja Vidic insists he is staying at United despite being linked with a move away from Old Trafford. * With agencies