New Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez has dismissed claims Cristiano Ronaldo could be on his way out of the Santiago Bernabéu, insisting he is still central to the club’s plans.
It had been suggested there would be a personnel shake-up this summer following a season without silverware, with Ronaldo among president Florentino Perez’s casualties.
However, Benitez has refuted those claims and maintains the 30-year-old is still in Los Blancos' plans going forward, meaning he will still get to play in his favoured wide left position.
"He’s a fundamental player for us," said Benitez at the start of Madrid’s pre-season tour of Australia.
"By meeting him and starting to exchange our thoughts with each other, we will be able to progress in terms of the dynamic of the group and get to know him better, so as to get the best out of him and so that the team can make the most of everything he has to offer."
Paris Saint-Germain are among the suitors that would latch onto the slightest chance they had of signing the multiple Ballon d’Or recipient. Ronaldo has been at the peak of his powers for the last six seasons, scoring 225 goals in La Liga, a tally only Lionel Messi have usurped in the same period (232).
For more stats on Cristiano Ronaldo, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
