Unsettled Ronaldo under fire in Spanish press
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-03-06 08:57

MADRID (AFP) - Brazilian great Ronaldo has come under fire again from the Spanish press following Real Madrid's 2-1 derby victory over Atletico, a match the former Barcelona and Inter Milan star was not involved in.

The Brazilian striker has come under attack in both the Spanish press and the Real tribunes this season, accused of lacking motivation to fight for the famous white jersey and he is widely expected to leave the club in the close season.

Real coach Juan Lopez Caro left Ronaldo out of the match-day squad for "technical" reasons officially but the Spanish press was convinced Sunday morning that the end has come for the three-time world player of the year.

"Ronaldo loses his place," said Marca who claimed the Brazilian is unlikely to earn a recall for the crucial Champions League last 16 second-leg clash against English outfit Arsenal on Wednesday.

"The public showed they were indifferent to his absence, he was missed by no-one...not even the team in white who won through courage and fight," added Marca, making a clear reference to the accusations levelled at Ronaldo that he does not fight for the team.

Lopez Caro could not even offer an olive branch to Ronaldo after the game, saying only: "The collective takes precedence over the individual and Ronaldo will be back when he is well."

The knives are out for Ronaldo as El Mundo went on to claim that: "The majority of Spanish players (at Madrid) don't support Ronaldo; they say he is as arrogant off as he is on the pitch."

Ronaldo has been at odds with the Madrid press and Real's fans in recent months, reacting badly to being jeered by his own club's fans and criticising them in the press.

Italian giants AC Milan and a host of English Premiership teams are believed to be chasing his signature and it is almost certain that he will move in the close season.

Meanwhile, France midfielder Zinedine Zidane gave his match shirt to French interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy after the victory over Atletico, according to Real's website.

Brazil full-back Roberto Carlos also offered his shirt to Sarkozy, who is spending the weekend in Madrid at the invitation of the opposition Popular Party.