Transfer news: Cristiano Ronaldo surprised by Real Madrid exits

Cristiano Ronaldo is surprised to have seen Real Madrid allow Angel di Maria and Xabi Alonso leave over the summer.

Over the course of two presidency spells at Santiago Bernabeu, Florentino Perez has made high-profile acquisitions a top priority - with big-money moves made on an annual basis.

The latest transfer window has proved no different, with Real bringing in Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez and landing Javier Hernandez on a season-long loan.

I have strong opinions but I can’t always say what I think. Otherwise it would be on the front page and I don’t want that. But if it was to me, I wouldn’t have done so.

While the quality they bring is without question, their arrivals have forced others towards the exit.

Di Maria, an important creative influence and leading assist maker, has departed for Manchester United, while World Cup-winning midfielder Alonso has been allowed to join Bayern Munich.

Both men have played a leading role in maintaining Ronaldo’s prolific strike rate in Madrid and the Portugal international admits it is too early to tell whether Perez’s changes will help or hinder last season’s UEFA Champions League winners.

He said: “I have strong opinions, but I can’t always say what I think. Otherwise it would be on the front page and I don’t want that.

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“But if it was to me, I wouldn’t have done so.

“But if the president thinks the best thing for the team is to sign players and let others leave, we must respect and support the decision.

“With new players, the style will change and it may change for better or worse.

“I hope it’s for the better, since the players are of a very good standard. The normal thing is that they’ll adapt well.

“Di Maria and Xabi were very important to us but they’re gone and we should be happy with the new players. I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

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Ronaldo has also been discussing the transfer activity at his former club Manchester United, with a deadline day deal for Radamel Falcao considered to be a ‘fantastic’ piece of business.

A man who won eight major honours during a six-year spell at Old Trafford added: “He is a very good player. I think Manchester did very well.

“I don’t think he is the wrong type of player. He is a top player so I don’t think it is a wrong buy. I think he will be a fantastic buy.

“Manchester have not started well, two points, so they need quality players and Falcao is a quality player.”