Cristiano Ronaldo says he agrees with FIFA president Sepp Blatter that footballers are treated like slaves.

Blatter sparked a row when he expressed sympathy with the Portuguese star, who is reportedly trying to move to Real Madrid despite being under contract to Manchester United.

Blatter said: "Definitely as a footballer and the FIFA president, I'm very in sympathy with the player Ronaldo.

"I think in football there is too much modern slavery, transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere. And we are trying now to intervene in such cases."

The £120,000-a -week winger told a Portuguese television station he agreed, adding that "everyone knows what he wants but he has reached no agreement with Real Madrid".

The Leage Managers' Association accused Blatter of "being out of touch" and using "a poor choice of words".

Chief executive Richard Bevan said: "The transfer system is underwritten and regulated by FIFA. It is the cornerstone of developing talent right up the football pyramid.

"We also have the important issue of sanctity of contract. Ignoring the nonsensical comparison of a player on £120,000 a week to a modern slave, it is a very poor choice of words."

United are adamant Ronaldo will not be leaving even though he continues to send out mixed messages about his future.

Real Madrid have made no secret of their admiration for the gifted international, who is currently recovering from ankle surgery after playing in Euro 2008.

A United spokesperson said: "All our players - like at other clubs - enter into their contracts after an open and free negotiation."

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