Ramon Calderon, the Real Madrid president, has declared his club's pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo officially over. The Spanish club spent much of last summer attempting to persuade Manchester United to sell their prized asset. However, despite Ronaldo making it clear he wanted to join Real, United refused to sell.

Despite missing out on the player, Calderon maintained Real would make a further attempt to sign Ronaldo, however, he now seems to have changed his mind. "It is forgotten, not only for January but forever," Calderon said. "We would only talk about it if Manchester decide they want to sell him.

"But the matter is over. We talked about it last season. Manchester decided not to sell the player and we don't want to do anything against a club like Manchester.

"The player decided to stay and we accept it. Madrid is not doing anything to disturb a 'friend club' like Manchester.

"We are two very big clubs. We want to be good friends forever. We are in the same market. I have a lot of respect for Manchester. I have a good relationship with David Gill and I want it to be like that for a long time."

Calderon also wished David Beckham well as the former Real midfielder prepares to complete his loan move to AC Milan. "He is a very well-known player," Calderon said. "He is a player who can give a lot to the club he signs for."

Beckham spent four seasons at the Bernabeu and Calderon said: "I have heard he is going to go to AC Milan. We wish David Beckham all the best. He performed fantastically. He decided to leave and now he has a new offer and it is up to him.

"He is a fantastic player, a nice person and we have a lot of good memories. The Real Madrid fans like him very much and he is always welcome at Real in any sense."