THERE has been nothing but bad news for Arsène Wenger in the run-up to this evening’s Champions League match against Real Madrid, but last night the Arsenal manager finally got some good news and it came from an unexpected source — Ronaldo.

The Real forward launched a tirade against his team’s supporters and hinted that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season because of their treatment of him. His comments are likely to damage dressing-room morale on the eve of a crucial match.

“When I’m in the street the people show me a lot of affection, but I never get that inside the Bernabéu,” the Brazil striker said. “I have never felt at home in the stadium. I have never felt loved there. I’ve never stayed in a place where I am not wanted and I will have to consider my future at the end of the season.”

Asked if England could be a possible destination, he said: “If I go, I will consider all options.”

Not for the first time in his four years at Real, Ronaldo was whistled from the field when substituted in the second half of Saturday’s win over CD Alavés. Many fans think that he is lazy, out of condition and has a bad attitude.

“I love the city of Madrid and I’m playing in a great team but I would like some love from the fans inside the stadium and I don’t get it,” he said. “I’ve scored ten goals in 16 matches, despite three months out injured. My record speaks for itself. I’ve tried to get the message across a million times that we need to be supported every minute we are on the pitch. I just don’t understand why I get treated like this by the fans.”

Ronaldo did have praise for Thierry Henry, whom he will face tonight. “Like me, he doesn’t have to prove anything to anybody,” he said. “His greatest asset is his pace. When he is running with the ball there is just no one that can compare with him. We have to be very aware of him tonight.”

Henry continues to be linked with Barcelona, but some commentators in the Catalan capital question the logic of signing a player who would expect to be first choice in a forward line that has three world-class strikers in Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto’o.

Real, by contrast, have no cover for Ronaldo, and he may be gone by the end of the season anyway. In those circumstance, David Beckham’s wish to play alongside Henry next season could yet be realised.

“The President knows the situation,” Ronaldo, who will turn 30 in October, said. “He knows how sad I am about my relationship with the fans. At the moment I just have to concentrate on trying to win the league and the Champions League.”

HOW THEY LINE UP

REAL MADRID (probable; 4-4-2): I Casillas — Cicinho, Sergio Ramos, J Woodgate, Roberto Carlos — T Gravesen, D Beckham, Guti, Z Zidane — Robinho, Ronaldo.

ARSENAL (probable; 4-5-1): J Lehmann — E Eboué, K Touré, P Senderos, M Flamini — R Pires, Gilberto Silva, F Fábregas, F Ljungberg, J A Reyes — T Henry.

Referee: S Farina (Italy).

TELEVISION: Live on ITV1 from 7.30pm (kick-off 7.45pm).