Ronaldo fires warning shot to rivals

Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has declared that he has yet to reach his peak as a player.

The Portugal international has been an ever-present figure in Madrid’s attack since his 94-million-euro transfer from Manchester United in 2009, having so far scored 131 goals in 132 appearances for Los Blancos.

And despite entering his 30s in just three years’ time, Ronaldo noted that there is still a lot more to come from him.

“I just hope I will keep seizing the moment year after year,” he told TVI. “I have not yet reached the peak of my career.

“This is all just relative. Next year, I could be at a higher mental level and not score as many goals.

“Who I am today reflects all that I have been through. I have earned all that I have, because I have worked so much.

“Nothing has happened by chance. It was all effort, dedication and a bit of luck.”

Ronaldo stressed he is happy with life at the Santiago Bernabeu and guaranteed he will not leave the club if coach Jose Mourinho decides to embark on a new challenge.

“I want to have a great season and finish it in great style,” he said. “I want to continue at Madrid.

“I have three years left on my contract, let’s see what the club want to do.

“Mourinho? I do not follow anyone, I always follow my own path and what I do is not based on friendships.”

However, Ronaldo was full of praise for Mourinho, saying that his countryman is the best coach in the game.

“His titles speak for themselves. He has won things wherever he has been. Not all coaches have the privilege to do what he has done,” he said.

“That is why I consider him the best. All great coaches need to succeed in different countries and he has done that.

“Many coaches are considered to be amongst the best and they could not succeed in different countries. I do not agree.”

Portugal have been drawn in the ‘Group of Death’ for Euro 2012, along with Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands, but Ronaldo refused rule out progression for the Seleccao.

“We need to have a winning ambition and mentality,” the 27-year-old said. “If we go with a losing mentality, we will not achieve anything.

“I think this will be a complicated group, but we have a good team and a good coach and we will have the support of our fans, which is an extra source of motivation.

“I am confident. We will have to go step by step. The group stage is complicated, but if we go through anything is possible.”