Perez wanted to cancel the then-world record 80 million Euros transfer of Ronaldo from Manchester United, claimed Calderon, who initiated negotiations before leaving his presidency.

The Portuguese superstar eventually joined Real in 2009, playing a scoring role in last season's La Decima Champions League win and recently picking up his third European Golden Shoe award.

"When Florentino became president and came to the club, he wanted to break (negotiations). He thought it was very expensive," Calderon said.

"He knew he was a good player but thought he wasn't worth that amount of money. That was a problem he had at the beginning with Cristiano, who knew that."

Reflecting on his presidency that began Ronaldo negotiations, Calderon said: "It was a tough moment. In the time that we were negotiating that contract I spoke to (former United chief executive) David Gill about selling the player but he said 'no'.

"They said 'we are not selling Cristiano, we don't want him to go' which is normal. But the player wanted to leave.

"We were negotiating for two years."

Calderon also looked back on the extra year Ronaldo spent in Manchester before arriving in Madrid, and shed light on how the player's move to Spain could have been very different.

"He was going to come in 2008-09. He phoned me saying 'president I am so sorry but I can't go this year, I have a commitment with Sir Alex Ferguson who is like my father professionally. Don't worry I'll go next year'.

"He negotiated with Manchester United to leave for 80 million Euros.

"Ferguson is obsessed with Real Madrid, he doesn't like us very much. He said 'no, Cristiano is going to leave but not to Real Madrid'.

"They offered him to Barcelona among other clubs. Barcelona said 'okay, we are prepared to pay what you are asking'. The important thing is that the player said 'no, Real Madrid or nothing'.

"I'm very proud that he came, very proud what he's doing. I was there at the moment the transfer could be done, anyone would have done the same."