Tuesday, 25th September, 2012

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that a large ego must be expected as part and parcel of a great player – and with Cristiano Ronaldo in particular, the Frenchman loves the Portuguese despite this.

Ronaldo has recently been at the centre of speculation over his unhappiness at Real Madrid and refused to celebrate either of his two goals against Granada in La Liga, insisting he felt "sad".

relatedNewsStory There were suggestions the former Manchester United man does not feel wanted at the Bernabeu, though the situation appears to have cooled down somewhat of late, with Jose Mourinho believed to have intervened personally.


Wenger has been watching from afar and the saga has not dimmed his love of Ronaldo, with the Arsenal boss believing that the greats of the game will always have a certain ego.

"Great players have a very strong ego", Wenger told Eurosport.


"These are people who are not satisfied with being normal. It is a price which is paid.

"It is not easy for his team-mates, but Cristiano Ronaldo, he plays and he wins. And when the season is finished and he has scored 50 goals, I have to say this is the type of player I love."

While Wenger would undoubtedly love to take the Portuguese to Arsenal, it is unlikely Real Madrid will let him leave, doing everything in their power to make sure Ronaldo feels wanted and loved at the Bernabeu.

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