Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has defended the manner of Cristiano Ronaldo's departure for Juventus last summer.

Perez denied that Real Madrid's refusal to help the player pay debts to the tax authorities contributed to his departure.

"I think he already had it quite clear that he wanted new challenges," Perez said on El Transistor on Onda Cero when asked about the timing of the exit and the fact the forward hinted at an exit immediately after the Champions League victory in Kiev.

"He used that moment to say it, but I think he'd been thinking about it for some time.

"He never created any problems during the nine years at Real Madrid, never once arriving late or anything.

"I think he's the best player I signed for Real Madrid.

"I always had a great relationship with him.

"We never had any problems, not even over money.

"We never talked about his [tax] debt."

The president was asked if he'd spoken with Ronaldo since his move to Juventus.

"I don't speak about those private matters," he replied.