Ronaldo arrives in Milan Ronaldo dodged a crowd of angry Inter Milan fans awaiting his arrival Tuesday from Brazil, slipping off his plane under police escort, to keep them guessing whether he will abandon the club for Real Madrid. About 50 Inter fans convinced by reports that the World Cup winner will barely unpack his bags in Italy before taking off for Spain, were ready to greet him, having posted a large hand-painted sign saying "Ronaldo, Ingrate" (Ronaldo, Ungrateful) outside the arrivals area for his flight from Brazil. Brazilian soccer superstar Ronaldo, second from right, wearing a white shirt, is accompanied by police officers upon landing at the Milan Malpensa airport, Italy, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2002. Ronaldo returned to Italy Tuesday for meetings with Inter Milan officials amid widespread reports the striker wants to leave the Italian club. Ronaldo landed in Milan's Malpensa airport on a flight from Rio de Janeiro. Awaiting him was a banner put up by angry Inter fans which read: ``Ingrate,'' the ANSA news agencysaid.(AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Inter Milan supporters stand by a banner reading "Ronaldo Ingrate" as they wait for the arrival of the Brazilian superstar at the Milan Malpensa airport, Italy, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2002. Ronaldo returned to Italy for meetings with Inter Milan officials amid widespread reports the striker wants to leave the Italian club. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
CONFIRMED: "I Want To Leave Inter," Says Ronaldo 08/06/2002. It was a sad day for Nerazzurri tifosi around the globe as their beloved (and now estranged) superstar Ronaldo released a distressing statement on his offical website, www.r9ronaldo.com, clearly stating his desire to leave Inter. "I have arrived today and I immediately went to speak with the club. I confirmed my point of view and it is the same as the one my agent Alexandre Martins outlined to chairman Moratti three months ago. I am very sad for the reaction of the Inter fans, even though I understand their disappointment, but I prefer to live this situation rather than publicly announce the reasons that make me think of a future away from Inter," read the statement. Many Inter fans have called Ronaldo a mercenary, but Il Phenomeno says the reasons go beyond monetary ones. "Everyone should know that money really isn't the most important thing for me. I will respect the club until the end, as it has always been close to me, even in the most difficult times and I will adhere to my professional duties of my contract, as I have always done, and I hope that in the next days the situation can positively evolve for me and Inter." Now it's up to Moratti to decide whether to allow Ronnie to leave the city of Milan, with Real Madrid being his probable destination. However the Spanish club will need to at least get close to the 100 million Euro price tag Inter have reportedly fixed on the world's most coveted number 9