Real Madrid president Florentino Perez wants Cristiano Ronaldo ‘to be the best paid player in the world’ and hopes Zinedine Zidane will eventually become the club’s new coach.
Ronaldo’s future at the Santiago Bernabeu appeared uncertain earlier this season when he claimed he was ‘sad’ and he has been linked with a move to Paris St Germain.
Talks are yet to start regarding an extension to the forward’s contract, which expires in two years, but Perez does not want the Portugal international to leave.
“He told me in the summer he was sad and I told him we would do everything possible for him to be content,” Perez told Cadena Ser.
“I don’t know if he has an offer from PSG. I think Cristiano is the best player in the world. We want to build the Madrid of the future around him and I would like Cristiano to be the best-paid player in the world.”
Perez has seen arch-rivals Barcelona complete the signing of Neymar, but explained that a deal to sign the Brazilian sensation would have been too problematic for Real.
He added: “If we had been able to sign Neymar without altering the eco-system of the club we would have, but there were too many conditions attached.
“It would have cost us €150million (£128m). I don’t know how much it cost Barcelona.”
Real are currently looking for a new coach ahead of Jose Mourinho’s impending exit and PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti is the strong favourite to take charge.
Former Real star Zidane is helping to conduct the search for Mourinho’s replacement in his role as director of football, but Perez is keen for the Frenchman to have a spell as the club’s coach in the future.
“We don’t know who will be the new coach,” continued Perez. “But we want this new sporting project to be led by Zidane.
“I hope one day he will be coach. When we choose the coach, the new person and him will analyse the team so we can take a qualitative step forward.
“We have a magnificent team. All I can say is that we will improve by signing the best. I have thought about two players and some more from the youth team. We will see what the coach and Zidane say.”
