"To be honest it is difficult to stay in England after they way they have treated me because I didn't hurt anyone," he told Portugal's SIC television when asked if he was joining Spanish giants Real Madrid next season as has been reported.

"They are making a big deal out of nothing and I don't know why. It's difficult to live in a country where they practically don't want me. In the coming two or three days I will reach a decision," he added.

Ronaldo was speaking to the station after Portugal lost 3-1 to host nation Germany in the World Cup third-place playoff.

The player said he was disappointed that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and other club officials had not stood up for him in recent days.

"They should have defended me and no one defended me. I can't stay on under these conditions. I don't want to stay at the club," the Lusa news agency quoted him as saying.

The English press has run a concerted campaign against Ronaldo after some England players blamed him for encouraging the referee to send off Rooney, his teammate at United, during the World Cup quarterfinal.

Rooney denied he stamped on the groin of Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho, but Ronaldo appeared to urge Argentinian referee Horacio Elizondo to brandish a red card.

He also appeared to wink in the direction of the Portugal bench after Rooney was dismissed.

With Rooney absent, England went on to lose in the penalty shootout as Ronaldo scored the decisive spot kick.

The England striker was banned for two international matches for his sending-off.

Ronaldo, 21, has protested his innocence and claimed immediately after the England game that he and Rooney remained friends, saying they had exchanged text messages.

The Portuguese striker was booed by sections of the crowd at subsequent World Cup matches.

Last November Ronaldo extended his contract until 2010 with Manchester United, whom he joined from Lisbon-based Sporting for 12 million pounds (17.3 million euros or 22.1 million US dollars) in 2003.