Real star Salgado urges Madrid to make move for Ronaldo after Sneijder blow

Holland midfielder Sneijder was carried off during his side's 1-0 loss at the Emirates Stadium following a heavy tackle from Abou Diaby and reports suggest he could be out for up to six months.  

Sneijder's team-mate Michel Salgado admitted he thought the playmaker's injury could force the Spanish club to put even more energy into their seemingly relentless courtship of star Ronaldo.  

Real blow: Wesley Sneijder of Real Madrid lies injured on the pitch after he battled for the ball with Abou Diaby (below)

Uncertain future: Cristiano Ronaldo is still wanted at Manchester United despite the longstanding interest from Real Madrid

Salgado insisted he does not know anything about the progress of the transfer but believes the club could now attempt to force the issue with United.

'We (the players) don't know anything about it,' he said. 'It's a problem for the club - for (sporting director) Pedja Mijatovic and the coach. We are players, we only think about football. But now Wesley Sneijder is injured and he's an important player for us.

'Maybe tomorrow there will be a meeting with the people in the club and maybe then there's going to be news about this.'

Salgado also claims the players and the fans would welcome Ronaldo to the Bernabeu with open arms.

'We know Cristiano Ronaldo is an incredible player and we don't have any problem with him joining us,' he added.

'Real Madrid making an offer is normal. Manchester United and (coach Sir Alex)
Ferguson don't want this because he is a very important player at United and that is normal too.

'I think they're going to have to talk about this and if Cristiano Ronaldo is coming to Real Madrid the dressing room is waiting for him.

'If he came of course the players and the fans would be excited. The supporters are used to watching the best players in the world at the Bernabeu and Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world.'

But Calderon preferred to focus on Sneijder, expressing sympathy for the 24-year-old. 

'We are very upset about Sneijder's injury,' he said. 'It's serious and it's the worst news we could have. 

'He has, at the very least, torn his interior ligament.  He is very bad, very upset. He is crying because it is a very serious problem and very painful.

'He is a very important footballer for us but that's sport. We feel bad for him. He had bad luck.'

Midfielder Javier Garcia believes Madrid can take much from the Emirates Cup, despite a less than impressive performance.  

The Primera Liga champions were lucky to beat Hamburg 2-1 on Saturday before yesterday's loss to the Gunners.

However, Garcia believes his team will be fit and ready to go by the time the Spanish season kicks off on August 31.  

'I think our preparation is going well, very well,' he said. 'Apart from the fact that at times we found it hard getting into game and of course the injury to Wes, I think it went well.'

Hamburg were the overall winners of the tournament, which also included Juventus.  

Like Madrid, Juve also failed to impress as they scraped a 1-0 victory over Arsenal on Saturday before losing 3-0 to Hamburg.