Real Madrid star striker Cristiano Ronaldo sparked a storm of media speculation over his future on Monday by saying he was 'sad' at the club. Ronaldo scored a brace in Madrid's 2-0 win over Granada on Sunday but did not celebrate either goal.
Quizzed by reporters after the game at the Santiago Bernabeu, he said: "It could be because I am a bit sad. That is the only reason. When I don't celebrate goals, I am not happy."
Ronaldo was elusive about the reasons for his unhappiness, saying only that it was professional rather than personal. "I am not going to say more. People know why," he was quoted as saying in the media.
Asked if he was upset because Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta was crowned UEFA Best Player in Europe on Thursday, he replied: "No, it's not that. There are more important things."
Ronaldo had gone to see Real Madrid chairman Florentino Perez on Saturday to say he was unhappy in the club, a report in sports daily Marca said.
It said team-mates, who were not named, believed he had become more miserable since Iniesta was honoured. Ronaldo and Barcelona striker Lionel Messi had also been in the running.
{{/usCountry}}It said team-mates, who were not named, believed he had become more miserable since Iniesta was honoured. Ronaldo and Barcelona striker Lionel Messi had also been in the running.
{{/usCountry}}Swedish Player dies of cardiac arrest
Stockholm: A 29-year-old Swedish soccer player collapsed and died of a suspected cardiac arrest, minutes after giving his team the lead in a league match on Sunday.
Pitea player Victor Brannstrom had scored after just four minutes against Umedalen in their Division Two North clash on Sunday when he suddenly sat down and slumped over.
A kit man and nurse immediately administered CPR to the player until three ambulances arrived and Brannstrom was taken to Pitea hospital, where he was pronounced dead.