Former Real Madrid fullback Michel Salgado is confident Cristiano Ronaldo will eventually stay.

Salgado did acknowledge that the current situation was not easy for the forward, but emphasised the player's professionalism and desire to compete at the top, which he thinks makes it unlikely that Ronaldo will depart.

"Real Madrid do not want Cristiano to leave," Salgado said at a press conference in Guatemala.

"He will not find a club that gives him more than Madrid."