Ronaldo was accompanied by his old Brazilian team-mate Leonardo, a former AC Milan player but now part of the backroom staff, at the clinic in Appiano Gentile to the north of Milan.

The 30-year-old, three-time FIFA World Player of the Year but out of favour at Madrid, is expected to sign for six million euros, according to the Spanish and Italian press though anywhere from five million to 10 million euros has also been touted. At Maranello, Ronaldo saw Paolo Maldini. "We said hello and I hope to meet him in the next few days," Ronaldo said of the famous Italy international left back.

"He made a good impression on me and I have always wanted to play with him," Ronaldo said. "He is a champion and a brave player, the greatest of all the opponents I have come up against after Maradona."

Maldini himself said: "He (Ronaldo) has made the choice of a champion (in coming to AC Milan). He remains one of the world's greatest players."

Ronaldo's Brazilian teammate Kaka also remarked: "To speak about Ronaldo is difficult for me as I am one of his fans. He was already number one in the world when I was a teenager and I dreamed of

playing alongside him. "Ronnie" is a great player who can still do alot."