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Ronaldo calls for unity at Real, criticises press
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December 22, 2005 18:10 IST

Brazil [Images] striker Ronaldo [Images] has called for his Real Madrid [Images] teammates to remain united after they slumped to a 2-1 home defeat by Racing Santander on Wednesday.

The team were jeered off the pitch in the Bernabeu as they slipped down to fifth in the Primera Liga, 11 points behind leaders and arch-rivals Barcelona.

"The most important thing is to remain calm and for all of us to stick together," Ronaldo told reporters after the game.

"The fans are really angry and disillusioned as are we, but we still need their support.

"We want to get out of this situation as quickly as possible. There are many worrying things happening at the moment and if we look at Barcelona, a lot more."

Real were held to a 1-1 draw at home by 10-man Osasuna on Sunday and Wednesday's game proved worse when a depleted Racing side went 2-0 up after 27 minutes.

Ronaldo pulled a goal back in the second half but it did little to pacify irate fans.

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The 29-year-old striker went on the offensive over newspaper stories that have spoken of dressing room unrest.

"There is a sector of the press that is trying to turn us against ourselves, talking about cliques of Brazilians, Uruguayans, Spanish or English... but it is all wrong," he said.

"The fans read these stories and then come to the stadium and jeer us. But we are more united than ever and the fans should not listen to these stories."

On the question of his future at Real, another hot topic in local media, he said: "I have never thought about leaving. Some of the things I am supposed to have said never happened. My intention is to stay here.

"I am a fighter and no one is thinking of abandoning ship."



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