July 10 (Bloomberg) -- FIFA President Sepp Blatter waded into Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer saga last night by announcing that the Portuguese international should be allowed to quit Manchester United and join Real Madrid.

United and Real have been involved in an increasingly acrimonious standoff over the move since last season's Premier League top scorer said he wanted to swap Old Trafford for the Bernabeu.

``I'm always in favor of protecting the player and if the player wants to leave, let him leave,'' Blatter told Sky News. ``If the player wants to play somewhere else, then a solution should be found because if he stays in a club where he does not feel comfortable to play then it's not good for the player and for the club.''

Ronaldo, 23, has repeatedly spoken of his ``dream'' to wear the Spanish champion's white shirt, while United insists no amount of money will convince it to part with a player who helped the club claim the Premier League and Champions League titles last year.

FIFA, soccer's governing body, last month said it would not take formal action against Real, after United complained that the Spanish club ``continued to involve itself in the future'' of Ronaldo.

United had expressed its ``growing irritation'' at declarations by Real coach Bernd Schuster and President Ramon Calderon that they would like to sign Ronaldo.

`Slavery'

Blatter described soccer's transfer conditions as ``modern day slavery.'' Data supplied by Britain's Birkbeck University said the average Premier League player earns more than 145,000 euros ($227,800) a month. As one of soccer's highest-profile players, Ronaldo is likely to earn several times that amount. United has not disclosed his salary.

``I think in football there's too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere,'' Blatter said.

Ronaldo said he agrees with Blatter's ``slavery'' comments, Sky Sports reported today. It added that he currently has not reached an agreement to join Real.

Ronaldo will be out for 12 weeks after having surgery on his right ankle on July 7, Sky said. United said three days ago that it would monitor his recovery and that Ronaldo would see a specialist in a month to determine when he can return.

European soccer's governing body UEFA said that contrary to Blatter's comments, modern professionals have become increasingly powerful since a European Union ruling in 1995 declared players free to move to any team they want at the end of their contracts.

`Mutual Obligations'

``A contract is usually between two people and usually they are mutual obligations,'' UEFA Communications Director William Gaillard said in a telephone interview. ``If you sign a contract for five years you are guaranteed to be paid for five years and you are expected to stay for five years.''

Ronaldo, who scored 42 goals last season, has a deal until 2012.

With salaries in soccer increasing on the back of improved television deals, UEFA is more concerned about the impact of wage rises on the financial stability of soccer clubs. A report published in May by accountant Deloitte and Touche LLP suggested most European team's wage costs were more than 60 percent of revenue.

``Some slaves would love to be footballers,'' Gaillard said.

To contact the reporters on this story: Tariq Panja in London at tpanja@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: July 10, 2008 13:41 EDT