Real Madrid may have put transfer target Cristiano Ronaldo, the Manchester United star, offside.

The Mail on Sunday says Ronaldo's apparent desire to join Madrid might be damaged by the club's campaign to have their keeper, Iker Casillas, crowned European and world player of the year.

Ronaldo desperately wants to win the top international award, so he will not be impressed by Real's website and TV stations imploring fans to email and phone in with messages of support for their man.

Casillas followed up winning a second consecutive La Liga title with Madrid by captaining Spain to Euro 2008 glory.