Cristiano Ronaldo says he agrees with Sepp Blatter, the Fifa president, that modern footballers are treated like slaves.

The head of world football's governing body had made his latest outspoken remarks in an interview broadcast on Sky News today, in which he appeared to advocate more freedom of movement for players and suggested that the Manchester United forward should buy himself out of his contract if, as appears evident, he wants to move to Real Madrid.

In an interview broadcast by TVI, the Portuguese television channel, tonight, Ronaldo said he wholeheartedly backed Blatter's remarks.

“You know what I said, what I want [to move to Madrid] and what I would like," Ronaldo said. "Let’s see, I agree completely with the president of Fifa [regarding the slavery comments]. Now I have to wait and see, but I do not know where I will begin the season.”

Ronaldo added that there was no agreement with Real Madrid at present and that he would be sidelined for 10 or 12 weeks while he recovers from Monday’s surgery on his right ankle.

The player, whose goals led Manchester United to the Premier League title last season, has made it quite clear that he would prefer to quit the European champions and embark on a new chapter of his career in Spain.

While Blatter's comments are sure to incense Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, and the board at Old Trafford, they seem to have found favour with Ronaldo, who appears to have found an unlikely ally with the Fifa president, who believes he should be allowed to join the La Liga champions.

“In football, there's too much modern slavery, in transferring players or buying players here and there and putting them somewhere,” Blatter had said.

“We are trying now to intervene in such cases. The reaction to the Bosman law was to make long-lasting contracts in order to keep the players. Then, if he wants to leave, there is only one solution: he has to pay his contract."

Asked about Ronaldo's public flirting with Real, Blatter added: “The important thing is we should also protect the player. And if the player wants to play somewhere else, then a solution should be found. If he stays in a club where he does not feel comfortable to play, then it's not good for the player and for the club. I'm always in favour to protect the player and if the player wants to leave, let him leave.”