According to The Sun, that most impeccably honest of tabloid newspapers, Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United for Real Madrid next summer.

The reason? Three little digits sent to the copyright office in Portugal last month.

The FIFA World Player of the Year’s agent, Jorge Mendes, had the tag ‘CR9′ trademarked on his client’s behalf in December – and that could spell the end of his career at Old Trafford, apparently.

Ronaldo currently operates under the ‘CR7′ brand, which are his initials combined with the shirt number he wears for both club and country.

But he would have to pick a different digit (or two, perhaps) if he moved to the Santiago Bernabeu, because legendary Blancos captain Raul already sports the No. 7 jersey.

Thus, the registration of ‘CR9′ – which Ronaldo can now use on merchandise, among other things – would seem to indicate that not only a change of number, but also a change of scene, is in the offing.

Furthermore, the current incumbent of the Merengues’ No. 9 shirt – Argentine striker Javier Saviola – is expected to leave the club shortly after failing to make any real impact since joining from Barcelona.

It is a tenous link on it’s own, certainly; but combined with the recent reports of Madrid’s preparations for a summer swoop, all signs suggest that the Spanish giants are finally getting somewhere in their pursuit of Ronaldo.

Mike Maguire, Goal.com

“Ronaldo is a good player but he is certainly not the best,” said Mourinho.

“He deserved the Golden Ball award because his team won the Champions League and the Premier League. But, for me, Ibrahimovic is the best.”

Mourinho also said he is not chasing Chelsea’s Dider Drogba, but admitted he will let striker Adriano leave Inter.

The 26-year-old Brazilian forward has been linked with a move to Chelsea or a return to his home country, and is apparently now free to leave in the January transfer window.

“(Club president) Massimo Moratti and I want him to stay,” said Mourinho.

“However, if he asked me to leave I would not oppose it. He has 10 years of football left to play.”

He added: “I have never hidden my special relationship with Didier but I do not need another striker as I have Hernan Crespo, Julio Cruz, Mario Balotelli and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

“But Drogba is more than a player for me, he is a part of me, an extension of the coach on the pitch.”

With Italian champions Inter set to face Manchester United in the last 16 of the Champions league next February, Mourinho has begun talking up his players.

And the former Chelsea boss believes his fellow Portuguese, Ronaldo, “is certainly not the best” player in the world.

“When I think how a player should be, names like Kaka, Ibrahimovic and (Lionel) Messi come to mind,” said Mourinho.

“Messi is great and in two or three years’ time he will win the Golden Ball (Ballon d’Or) award.”

BBC

Barcelona`s Argentine forward Lionel Messi was second, with Liverpool and Spain striker Fernando Torres third.

Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez, also of Barcelona, and AC Milan`s Brazilian playmaker Kaka completed the top five.

Ronaldo won the honour for the first time after helping United win the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup.

It also completed a hat-trick of individual honours for the 23-year-old, who had already won the football journalists` Ballon d`Or trophy and the FIFPro World Player of the Year title voted for by his fellow professionals.

“It`s an overwhelming moment, very special,” said Ronaldo after receiving the FIFA award from Pele.

“I can say to my mother and sister, `let the fireworks off now`. It`s one of the most important moments in my life.”

English First

Ronaldo is the first player based at an English club to win the FIFA award, which had previously gone only to footballers playing for Spanish or Italian sides.

“There may be no English players here but I believe it`s important for England that myself and Fernando Torres are here representing two English clubs,” said Ronaldo before the ceremony.

“It is a victory for the English fans as well because the Premier League is strong, even though we must not forget the leagues in Spain and Italy remain strong as well.”

The FIFA award is voted by the national team coaches and captains of the 208-member associations of world soccer`s governing body.

Ronaldo was voted in first place by 136 of the coaches and captains while 76 put Messi top.

The United player picked up 935 total points, ahead of 678 for Messi and 203 for Torres.

ANTARA News