Ronaldo recovers number nine shirt at Real Madrid

Brazil striker Ronaldo will get to wear his favourite number nine shirt at Real Madrid this season following the departure of Fernando Morientes.

Ronaldo had to give up his customary number nine, held by Morientes, and switch to 11 when he moved to Real from Inter Milan last year. But Real decided on Sunday to loan Morientes to Monaco.

"Ronaldo will wear nine and Javier Portillo will take the number 11," Jorge Valdano told the Onda Cero radio station.

"If anyone has bought a Ronaldo shirt for this season with the old number on it we'll change it for free."