MADRID — Real Madrid top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo has signaled strong support for coach Carlo Ancelotti and sent a clear message to club president Florentino Perez that he does not want the Italian to be sacked. Perez is widely expected to make Ancelotti the scapegoat after Real ended the season without winning a major trophy but the intervention of dressing-room heavyweight Ronaldo may make him think twice. Ronaldo netted a hat-trick in Real's final game of the campaign on Saturday, a 7-3 drubbing of city rivals Getafe at the Bernabeu, taking his tally at the top of the La Liga scoring chart to 48 goals. After the match, Portugal captain Ronaldo posted a message on his Twitter feed with a photograph of himself and Ancelotti. “Great coach and amazing person,” Ronaldo wrote. “Hope we work together next season.” — Reuters
