Scolari will take over at Chelsea next month having decided midway through the country's European Championship campaign he wanted to move back into club management, while Ronaldo - who has been the subject of long-standing interest from Real Madrid - said he cannot pass up a "great opportunity".

"It [moving to Real] is a dream, a step forward, you can call it what you want," Ronaldo said in The Times. "For me it is a great opportunity and, as Scolari says, that train passes by only once and we have to take advantage of it."

He added: "That is why he took advantage of his change. Other people have to take advantage of opportunities, too."

Asked whether he was concerned his actions would upset United manager Sir Alex Ferguson the winger added: "It is my opinion. That is why I don't mind if people get upset.

"It is my decision. It is what I want. I don't know what I have to say to him. I have to say what I want and what I think."