Ronaldo has dropped the biggest hint yet that he will be returning to Italy at the end of the season.

The Brazilian is widely expected to leave Real Madrid in the summer and return to former club Inter or neighbours Milan has been mooted.

“I’ll only say that I spent five really great years in Italy and I’m pleased the Italians are always so affectionate towards me.

“I have a deal with Real Madrid until 2008 but I will say that it will be me who decides when I will leave and where I will be going.”

Ronaldo was also quoted in the AS newspaper as saying: “I’ve heard that Massimo Moratti and Silvio Berlusconi are ready to make offers and I would like to thank them for that.”

Speculation about a possible return to Inter intensified after their technical director Marco Branca was spotted at Highbury along with Real market consultant Ernesto Bronzetti.

The Brazilian claimed that he had become fed up with having to deny stories that were not true.

“I’ve heard people like Pele and Platini say some silly things about my private life.

“There were also made up stories about a supposed clash between myself and Guti, but he’s been my best friend at the club since I arrived.

“For the moment I’ll just have to take all of this and fortunately I have wide shoulders. I’ll keep going forward because the season isn’t over and we can still fight for La Liga.”

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