Brazilian ace Ronaldo said he is keen to play for Real Madrid until he retires from soccer, amid reports on Saturday that the Spanish powerhouse plans to offer him a new contract.

　　"I would like to end my career at Real Madrid," Ronaldo was quoted as saying by sports daily As on Saturday.

　　Ronaldo's current contract runs until 2006 but sports daily Marca, citing an unnamed source at the club, said Real is aiming to secure the striker's services for two more years, when he will be nearly 32.

　　A new deal would scupper the hopes of big-spending Chelsea to sign the prolific goalscorer. Recent reports have suggested the London club's owner, Russian oil tycoon Roman Abramovich, has targeted the striker for a transfer.

　　Real's French midfield star Zinedine Zidane, who last week extended his own contract until 2007, urged Ronaldo and the club to reach an agreement.

　　"I'm not sure whether it's true what they're saying about him renewing but I would advise him to sign and I hope the club lets him do so. We have a good group, in terms of players and people. We're doing something very special," Zidane said.

　　Real is bidding for the most impressive haul of silverware in its glittering history with the league title, Copa del Rey and European Champions League all in its sights.

　　If Real wins all three, it will become the first Spanish team to emulate Europe's four treble winners - Glasgow Celtic, Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven and Manchester United.

　　(The Associated Press)