FIFA world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo a.k.a. CR7 (because he plays with shirt No 7 for Manchester United), has reportedly registered the trademark 'CR9' at the National Institute of Industrial Property in Lisbon.
The digits "CR9" were copyrighted last month in his Portuguese homeland to be used on merchandise or as the name for a restaurant or bar.
He also has a sponsorship deal with a Portuguese bank giving them exclusive marketing rights if he goes to Spain.
Ronaldo already owns the rights to 'CR7' but rumours are that Raul said to be unwilling to give up the number 7 shirt at Madrid so plans appear to have been made for him to wear the number 9 jersey at the Spanish Club.
More rumours have been rife that the player, and the club, are sworn to silence over a secret agreement that would see him leave Old Trafford - a year after the original saga looked set to take him to Spain.
