Real Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo pledges his future to Rafa Benitez's reign 

By Rob Draper for The Mail on Sunday

Published: 17:43 EST, 13 June 2015 | Updated: 03:28 EST, 14 June 2015

Cristiano Ronaldo has told Real Madrid that he wants to stay at the club next season following the appointment of new manager Rafa Benitez.

Benitez has spoken to most key players since his appointment two weeks ago and Ronaldo, who scored a hat-trick for Portugal against Armenia on Saturday night, has reiterated his commitment to the new manager despite interest from Paris Saint-Germain and past tensions with Real President Florentino Perez.

Ronaldo’s contract at the Bernebeu lasts until 2018 and is understood to earn £14m a year and the club are confident of his commitment to the cause after a year in which they won the World Club Cup but failed in the Champions League and La Liga.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, playing for Portugal, has committed to Los Blancos next season

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, playing for Portugal, has committed to Los Blancos next season

Ronaldo, celebrating with team-mate James Rodriguez, has reiterated his commitment to the club

Ronaldo, celebrating with team-mate James Rodriguez, has reiterated his commitment to the club

The 30-year-old celebrates having fired in a spectacular hat-trick against Armenia on Saturday night

The 30-year-old celebrates having fired in a spectacular hat-trick against Armenia on Saturday night

Benitez has also moved to reassure Gareth Bale of his future at the club, by meeting him on Friday night when the pair met briefly in Cardiff before Wales 1-0 win over Belgium.

Benitez wanted Bale to know how importantly he is viewed by him and the club before the pre-season starts.

Given the magnitude of the match for Wales, there was no time for a detailed exchange, the new to Real manager took the time to encourage Bale in continuing to master Spanish.

With Karim Benzema also favoured by Perez, it seems likely that the strike force of Bale, Benzema and Cristiano – known in the Spanish press as BBC – will remain at the club even though they are looking to bring in another forward player.

Benzema, who interests Manchester United and Arsenal, is the most vulnerable but the 27-year-old signed a new five year deal last summer so it would take a £40m bid to him away from the club and Real would only be likely to sell if they could persuade Chelsea to sell them Diego Costa. 

The Real Madrid talisman evades the attention of numerous markers during the clash in Armenia

The Real Madrid talisman evades the attention of numerous markers during the clash in Armenia

Ronaldo, scoring from the penalty spot last season, has been linked with a move to French giants PSG

Ronaldo, scoring from the penalty spot last season, has been linked with a move to French giants PSG

Rafa Benitez (right) is unveilled as Real Madrid's new boss by Real Madrid Castilla coach Zinedine Zidane

Rafa Benitez (right) is unveilled as Real Madrid's new boss by Real Madrid Castilla coach Zinedine Zidane

Rafa Benitez met up with Gareth Bale before Wales beat Belgium 1-0 in Euro 2016 qualifying on Friday

Rafa Benitez met up with Gareth Bale before Wales beat Belgium 1-0 in Euro 2016 qualifying on Friday

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