Real Madrid are believed to have applied for Spanish citizenship for Brazilian striker Ronaldo.
The Primera Liga giants have reportedly commenced proceedings for Ronaldo to obtain a Spanish passport to ensure he no longer occupies one of the foreign berths in the squad.
According to Spanish law, Brazilian citizens who have lived in Spain for two years can request dual nationality, as opposed to previous regulations which stated the required time limit was five years.
Real president Florentino Perez has already discussed the matter with Ronaldo’s representatives and early indications are that the forward is amenable to the idea.
The club are now putting the wheels in motion concerning Ronaldo’s citizenship, while they also await a decision on the outcome of the hit-man’s compatriot Roberto Carlos.
The full back has already applied for dual nationality and is likely to learn the verdict in February or March next year.
Roberto Carlos is keen to pick up a Spanish passport as he will lose out on €1 million if he has not acquired the desired documentation by the end of the season, as part of the contract he signed in the summer.
In addition to freeing up the foreign spots occupied by Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos, Real are also eager to pursue the same avenue with Walter Samuel.
Though the Argentinian only arrived in the capital in the summer from Roma, he can apply for a Spanish passport next year.
Samuel’s wife currently possesses dual nationality and this is the reason why the centre half can apply for the same thing after just 12 months’ residency in Spain.
Real’s motivation for gaining Spanish passports for the trio is that it will create room for more foreign arrivals at the Santiago Bernabeu.
