(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Ending weeks of speculation about his future, Cristiano Ronaldo has told a Spanish newspaper he is staying put at Real Madrid to plunder more silverware. 'To win important trophies with my club and the personal honours last season was brilliant, to do it again would be nice, Ronaldo told the sports daily Marca yesterday in an interview from Shanghai.
Ronaldo's declaration of intent to remain at the Bernabeu for the upcoming season comes despite rumours of his departure which surfaced last month. Those reports were founded on his apparent feeling of abandonment by his club over his run-in with the Spanish tax authorities.
Ronaldo, 32, has been summoned to appear before a judge near Madrid on July 31 to answer four counts of evading 14.7mn euros ($16.8mn) in taxes. The four-time Ballon d'Or winner has protested his innocence with O Globo saying he had threatened to leave Real over the investigation.
Since extending his contract last November until 2021, Ronaldo is the highest paid sports star in the world with $93mn (83mn euro) in 2016-2017, according to Forbes magazine. On Saturday Real manager Zinedine Zidane assured Real supporters that the superstar striker 'was on holiday and would be back with us on (August) 5.
In Tuesday's Marca interview, Ronaldo also looked ahead to the 2018 World Cup with European champions Portugal. 'We still have to qualify but I'm hoping that Portugal can win an incredible title.
Simeone extends Atletico contract to 2019: Report
Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has extended his contract with the capital club until 2019, according to a report by Spanish radio station Cadena SER. The 47-year-old Argentinian had shortened his contract from 2020 to 2018 after his side's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid last year.
But Cadena SER reported yesterday that he had 'reached an agreement with Atletico to extend his contract by an extra year, without giving further details.
Since cutting the length of his contract, Simeone has repeatedly stated his desire to stay at Atletico, who he has led to three major trophies including the 2014 La Liga title.
Hernandez makes his return to Premier League with West Ham
Mexican striker Javier Hernandez has completed a transfer from Bayer Leverkusen to West Ham United for 16mn pounds ($20.85mn), the Premier League club announced on Monday. The 29-year-old, who previously spent five years in England with Manchester United winning two league titles, joins Slaven Bilic's side on a three-year deal after completing a medical in London.
A popular figure in his home country, Hernandez became Mexico's all-time leading goalscorer earlier this year after scoring 48 goals in 96 appearances, including at two World Cups. His two years at Bundesliga outfit Leverkusen also yielded 28 goals in 54 games. Hernandez, known as ‘Chicharito', arrives at West Ham following the high profile acquisitions of Argentine Pablo Zabaleta, England's Joe Hart and Austrian Marko Arnautovic.
Smith signs new Bournemouth contract
Bournemouth defender Adam Smith signed a new four-year contract with the Premier League club. Smith has made 113 appearances for Bournemouth since his arrival from Tottenham in 2014. The 26-year-old right-back played a key role as Eddie Howe's side consolidated their place in the top-flight over the last two seasons.
Bordeaux give Wellington the boot
Brazilian midfielder Wellington Silva's transfer to French club Bordeaux from Fluminense has been cancelled after he failed a medical, the Ligue 1 club said. 'Following a medical visit, Bordeaux decided not to complete the transfer of Wellington Silva, the club said in a statement.
The 24-year-old arrived in western France last Sunday and had been due to be officially presented to the press on Tuesday afternoon. A Brazilian youth international, Wellington Silva was recruited by Arsenal in 2011 but could not play in England because of work permit problems. During six seasons in Europe he was loaned to clubs in Spain before returning to England to play for Bolton after acquiring Spanish nationality. He returned to his first club Fluminense in 2016, playing his last match on July 13 against Botafogo.
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