Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo

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Madrid - Manchester United's star striker Cristiano Ronaldo should join Spanish giants Real Madrid, fellow Portuguese player Luis Figo said on Saturday.

"Real Madrid is the most important club in the world - the best club in the world. I think Ronaldo has already wrapped up a stage at United," the Inter Milan midfielder told Spanish sports daily Marca.

"He has won everything he can with the English club, which is another great club, but he should have other goals now, other ambitions and Real Madrid would allow him to achieve more importance, more relevancy," he added.

"That is what I have told him. I don't know what he thinks now," the 36-year-old former Real player added.

Learning Spanish

Real tracked Ronaldo all of last summer following his Champions League and English Premiership triumphs and 42 goals across the campaign before United boss Sir Alex Ferguson stepped in and emphatically vetoed his departure.

But Spanish media continue to insist that the 2008 Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Footballer of the Year will join Real at the end of the season. Ronaldo added to the speculation in January when he told Spanish television he was learning Spanish.

The 24-year-old playmaker is under contract with United until 2012.

Figo joined Real in 2000 after five seasons with Barcelona in a controversial move which intensified the great rivalry between the two clubs.