Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he is keen on wearing the number 7 shirt that club legend Raul used to don.
The 33-year-old Madrid icon left the Bernabeu earlier this week for an adventure in the German Bundesliga with Schalke. There have been whispers that Ronaldo, who wore the number 7 jersey at his former club Manchester United but wears number 9 at Real Madrid, will be given Raul's number, and now the Portuguese maestro himself has made it clear that he would love to wear it.
"I would like to have the number '7' shirt and I'm sure Raul would be happy if I had it because he knows how I am and how I think," the 25-year-old is quoted as saying by Realmadrid.com at a press conference following los Blancos' first training session in Los Angeles.
"Raul was always an important player to Real Madrid. He made the decision that best suited his interests. He is a great professional and I'm sure he will play at a very high level."
Ronaldo is also very appreciative of new coach Jose Mourinho's approach during training sessions and believes the Merengues will be an offensive minded outfit.
"Mourinho is a winner. Real Madrid has attacking players, so we will be an offensive team. The priority right now is to get back in shape as soon as possible."
The Portuguese international, who didn't perform to his potential at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, is eager to start the new season and is confident of succeeding in 2010-11.
"We are very excited and working very hard. We have to keep this level of excitement up in order to win titles."
The former Ballon d'Or winner doesn't seem to be scared of bitter rivals Barcelona either.
"Barcelona were more regular than us last year, but we are not worried about what they may do this season. I'm sure we will have a better run this year.
"If I actually believed we couldn't defeat Barcelona, I would be home instead of here.
"All great players are welcome here and we will greet them the best way we know how. All the summer signings are very good," Ronaldo concluded.
