Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini says Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who the Spanish giants signed for a record 94 million euros, does not have a star mentality.
"He's as I expected him to be. He is the first to arrive at a training session, he has fully integrated into the squad, he doesn't act as a star," he said on Sunday during his first post-training press conference as Real's new coach.
"He is a very talented but normal player who is devoted to Real Madrid. His image is very different to how he is as a player."
Real signed the player from Manchester United last month on a six-year deal worth around 94 million euros ($131 million) and he will reportedly be paid 13 million euros each season, making him the most expensive player in the world.
The 24-year-old was officially unveiled before some 75,000 ecstatic Real fans on July 6 at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
He had to be hurried away when spectators leapt over security barriers to try to get an autograph.
Real has spent more than 200 million euros in the pre-season to sign new talent, including Brazilian playmaker Kaka and French international striker Karim Benzema.
Pellegrini said he hopes the squad will be completed by the end of the month.
"The sooner the better. July 27 would be good because that's when all our internationals return," he said when asked for an ideal date to have his squad finalized.
"But I'm not bothered about waiting a while longer if there are any doubts concerning a signing. There's no deadline. I know what I want, but I'm not looking to have it for our first pre-season match," he added.
The Chilean coach said recruiting Spanish international Xabi Alonso from Liverpool would not be easy.
"There aren't any players we can't do without. He is an important footballer and it is no mystery that Real want to sign him, but it won't be easy," Pellegrini said.
He also denied Spanish press reports that Real want to unload its entire contingent of six Dutch players, including Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wesley Sneijder.
"It's not true that all the Dutch players are going to leave as has been reported in the media," he said.
He called Sneijder "a very good player", adding "our game could benefit from having him".
Real will face Deportivo La Coruna at home on the weekend of Aug 29-30 in their first league match of the new season.
(AFP via China Daily July 14, 2009)
