Cristiano Ronaldo admits he's wanted to leave Manchester United for 12 months. The world record Real Madrid signing told the News of the World: "After we won the European Cup. I thought there is no more I can achieve here.

"And when you have done all you can, you know it is time for a new challenge. I stayed one more season and it was nice to make it three titles in a row but it was my dream to play for Madrid."

The fact Madrid have not won the Champions League since 2002 - and are currently comfortably only the second best team in Spain behind Barcelona - has led some critics to claim Ronaldo is more interested in money than medals.

But Ronaldo insisted: "Of course, I have not gone for the money.

"To go down as the greatest. It will take lots of work but that is my target. If you go down as the greatest at Madrid it means you are one of the greatest of all time."