Cristiano Pictures

Cristiano Ronaldo needs help in best season

It would be an affront to everything uplifting in football if Chelsea stole the Premier League title from Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson's side score more goals, stir more souls, and parade the Player of the Year in Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese flier has a busy weekend in London. Kings Road, 12.45pm today, to face Petr Cech and 10 men in blue. Park Lane, 6.45pm tomorrow, to face Gordon Taylor and 1,000 men in black-tie as he collects the PFA Player of the Year honours. Not one Chelsea icon made the six-strong shortlist, although Cech and Joe Cole deserved a nod. Ronaldo will win by a landslide. His midweek penalty miss at Barcelona had some critics merrily uncorking bottles of schadenfreude. What myopic nonsense. The wearer of United's magical No 7 shirt has brought such joy to the season that he fully merits all the champagne corks fizzing towards the ceiling of the Grosvenor House ballroom.

The one hope at lunchtime today is that Ronaldo finds a touch of space, a yard on Ashley Cole, to showcase his talent. The world is watching: 203 countries tune in and 611 million homes across the globe enjoy access to live coverage. Industry insiders predict the numbers could soar close to the 1 billion viewer mark because of a kick-off time delighting the Far-East market (accidentally, the Premier League insisted yesterday).

So, as midnight looms in Tokyo, a hush will descend on football-obsessed drinking holes like Castillo, Gaspanic and Geronimo's as ex-pats and locals focus on Ronaldo's joust with Cech and the Coles. Similar scenes will be played out in South Korea and India. The afternoon entertainment is also sorted in South Africa, where Ronaldo's club are deified, where even a former United goalkeeper, Gary Bailey, presents coverage.

United seize the imagination of so many hundreds of millions, from Salford to Soweto and Seoul, because of stars like Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. When asked this week to name the planet's most accomplished performers, Fabio Capello placed Ronaldo and Rooney on a par with Lionel Messi, Kaka, Alexandre Pato and Cesc Fabregas. The Italian's loyalty to AC Milan partly explains mention of San Siro's promising Pato and the slightly out-of-sorts Kaka. Fabregas has lent real creativity to Arsenal's season, while Messi, for all his injury travails, will worry United when Barcelona visit Old Trafford on Tuesday. With a respectful glance towards Rooney and the rest, Ronaldo warrants top billing on Capello's list of luminaries.

Today's collision with Chelsea may highlight one flaw in United's shining armour. Ronaldo, prolific and impressive, and Rooney, particularly, need an attacking accomplice to make their match-day fun complete. The word from within Old Trafford is that substantial transfer funds will be available to Ferguson this summer, although the United manager will be expected to generate some of the revenue by selling. If Ferguson cuts his losses on Louis Saha, everyone on the Stretford End will pray for investment in a fit, hungry, line-leading centre-forward to be supported by Rooney through the middle and Ronaldo from the flanks. The obvious contender is Karim Benzema, the dynamic Lyon striker who terrorised Ferguson's old club, Rangers, in the Champions League. Benzema, though, is expected to end up at Real Madrid, and United cannot compete with Castile's spending power.

If Lyon were to conduct business with anyone in the Premier League it would be with Chelsea, who possess the wealth and the relationship, having done past deals for the likes of Michael Essien, a real threat to United today. Chelsea already boast two out-and-out centre-forwards in Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, although Drogba should move in the summer.

If Drogba puts in a real marauding shift in Chelsea's attack this lunchtime, those United fans who returned from Barcelona in midweek moaning about the lack of a top-class target man will wince again. Ferguson used a winger, Ronaldo, as the forward outlet. Rooney voiced sympathy for the isolated Portuguese, saying: "It was difficult up front on his own." Rooney was positioned out wide - hardly ideal for an attacker who does his best work in the hole.

Someone not a million miles from the England dressing room remarked: "If Fabio played Rooney on the wing, you would slaughter him." With Carlos Tevez dropping deep, Ferguson's defensive system was designed to frustrate Barcelona. The strategy brought a decent 0-0 scoreline. Job done.

United will put on a more assertive face at the Bridge today, and when Barcelona glide into town on Tuesday. Scoring has not been a problem this season, but United are over-reliant on 38-goal Ronaldo, who inflicts most damage from deep. United require someone like Fernando Torres, wedded to Liverpool, or Emmanuel Adebayor, welded to Arsenal. Their rivals have target men, so why not United?

Over the past four years, Ferguson's policy has been to purchase tyros like Ronaldo, Anderson and Nani, but the time may come when he needs an established performer. Dimitar Berbatov's agent keeps indicating his client may leave Tottenham, and the striker could form an advanced station for United attacks, bringing Rooney and Ronaldo into play. Whatever decision Ferguson makes, stick or cash-splashing twist, his emphasis will be on entertainment, and that is why United should be champions, and should be cherished.

Soccerade signs Man United’s Cristiano Ronaldo as face of brand

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has been taken on by specialist sports drink Soccerade to act as worldwide ambassador for the ambitious brand.

The fleet-footed footballer, who is now the fourth highest paid player in the world (and arguably the most recognisable), has been recruited to give the brand an edge against some of the more established names in the competitive sports drink sector.

He will now be used in launch advertising and promotional campaigns for major European markets, although it is reported that he may be consigned to the subs bench in countries where he is deemed to be slightly less popular. In this scenario high profile local players will step on to the Soccerade team.

The brand, which is said to have been specifically formulated for footballers, is owned by Icelandic firm Leppin.

Soccerade launches in Portugal in May, with a UK appearance expected later in the year.


Interview here:

http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?video_id=S9NOH8frAMc&rel=1&eurl=http%3A//www.cr17.com/index.php/topic%2C10766.0.html&iurl=http%3A//i.ytimg.com/vi/S9NOH8frAMc/default.jpg&t=OEgsToPDskIQIkTzS_NR4AsiaQu9gCVq&hl=en

Torres: Cristiano Ronaldo carries Man Utd

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has said that the key to beating Manchester United is by stopping their winger Cristiano Ronaldo.

Torres, 24, who is in his first season at the Anfield club, told the Sun: "I watch Ronaldo every weekend and he is massively impressive.

"He carries United on his back in some matches."

The Spaniard was speaking ahead of next week's Champions League semi-finals when United will face Barcelona.

Torres knows from personal experience just how good the 38-goal United player is following the Portuguese winger's goal in Liverpool's 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford last month.

He said: "Barca have no idea how spectacular Ronaldo is or how far ahead of every other player in the world he is right now.

"But if they keep the ball away from him Barca will get to the Champions League final.

"United suffer against teams who keep possession of the ball."

Torres also warned Liverpool fans not to expect such an exciting tie as against Arsenal when his side face Avram Grant's Chelsea.

He said: "It won't be as colourful as the amazing game against Arsenal.

"It will be a really tactical and strategic game.

"Just one tiny detail, one mistake or set-play will decide our semi-final."

No amount of money can buy Cristiano Ronaldo, claims Carlos Queiroz

Carlos Queiroz, the Manchester United assistant manager, insists "no amount of money" will force them to sell Cristiano Ronaldo.

Queiroz has warned Real Madrid, the club he managed for a season, that even a bid of £97 million would not be enough to prize the Premier League's top goalscorer away from Old Trafford. However, Madrid appear determined to tempt the 23-year-old back to the continent and have continually been linked with a summer move for the player.

Although Queiroz insists even a world-record transfer fee would not tempt the Premier League champions into selling their best player.

"We would not sell him for €120million," Queiroz said. "You can offer all the money in the world, but there is no amount that can buy him."

Cristiano Ronaldo lands fan in hospital after breaking wrist with shot

Ronaldo's supershot breaks a fan's arm

Hotshot footballer Cristiano Ronaldo let fly with a volley so hard he broke the wrist of a fan in the stands.

The Man United star - currently in talks over a new £150,000-a-week contract - landed unlucky Fred Harrison in hospital after accidentally smashing the ball straight at him.

And Fred, who was trying to protect his face and glasses from the mishit, reckons he had a lucky escape. He revealed: "If he had hit me in the face he would have knocked me out."

The 68-year-old Middlesbrough fan was hit as he sat three rows from the front at the club's Riverside Stadium during last Sunday's 2-2 Premiership draw.

Fred, a grandad of six from Hartlepool, was at the game with his 40-year-old son Kevin, who joked as soon as they sat down: "We're in the line of fire here, dad!" Said Fred: "I didn't think he'd proved right so quickly.

It was only the fifth minute. As soon as it left Ronaldo's foot I could see where it was going - at me!

"It was a great save - I don't think our keeper Mark Schwarzer could have matched it," he joked.

Fred said that he didn't even think about the pain because it was such a good match. And despite his wife Edith's concern, he didn't have his injury checked until Tuesday.

Doctors at the University Hospital of Hartlepool then confirmed his wrist was broken. Fred said: "They all found it quite amusing and I guess it isn't something that happens every day.

"I hold no grudges against Ronaldo. He is an amazing player, probably the best in the last decade. If I was going to get hit by anyone's shot I am glad it was Ronaldo's and not a player I don't like."

A Boro spokesman said: "We've no idea how fast the ball was travelling but everyone appreciates how well Ronaldo can strike a ball."

Boro have sent Fred a signed shirt to help cheer him up while he waits to have his cast off in four weeks.

Meanwhile, if 23-year-old Ronaldo's new contract is signed it will net him £40million over five years - making him the highest paid footballer in Britain.

Cristiano Ronaldo favored to win PFA player of the year

Cristiano Ronaldo is the hot favorite to be named the PFA player of the year by his fellow English soccer professionals and also pick up the young player award.

The Manchester United winger has scored 37 league and cup goals this season, some of them from audacious dribbles and long-range free kicks and headers. They have helped Man United, the defending champions, go top of the Premier League and reach the semifinals of the Champions League.

"The boy's intelligent and sensible enough to realize what football's about,'' United manager Alex Ferguson said Friday. "Success can affect people, there's no question about that, you see it time and time again, but the great quality is to keep your ability and to keep your feet on the ground.

"Yes, he will go and express himself in a way that's extravagant at times, but that's a measure of his courage, his real ability, which we'd never in any way attempt to stop him doing. We want players like that.''

The Portuguese international is one of six nominations for the Professional Footballers' Association's player of the year award. The others are Liverpool's Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, Arsenal's Emmanual Adebayor and Cesc Fabregas and Portsmouth goalkeeper David James, whose saves helped Pompey reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 1939.

Ronaldo, Torres and Adebayor are also among the nominations for the young player award, along with Aston Villa's Gabriel Adebayor and Ashley Young and Manchester City's Micah Richards.

The winners of both awards will be announced April 27.

Humble Roma boss Spalletti apologises for Ronaldo attacks

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has apologised for comments the Italian club made about Cristiano Ronaldo in the wake of Manchester United's 2-0 Champions League win in the Olympic Stadium last week.

Roma midfielder David Pizarro and club director Bruno Conti both accused Ronaldo of showboating in last week's game.

But speaking at Old Trafford ahead of Wednesday's return leg at Old Trafford, Spalletti said: "Some of the things said by our club after the game were perhaps said in the heat of the moment, because we had the bitter taste of defeat in our mouths.

"Our comments had the bitterness of defeat in them.

"We were disappointed after that game.

"Sometimes we may say things that we normally would not. That is what happened.

" Cristiano Ronaldo is an excellent player. It is something that he has shown through his game.

"He is a very exuberant player and a very fair player. He is a very correct player. Thats what he does on the pitch."

Rome must score at least twice to have a chance of stopping United reaching the last four.

Spalletti added: "It would be presumptious of me to come here and say that we were going to impose ourselves on United and do this or do that.

"It is important to be humble. Humility is a very important quality.

"We need to work hard against a team like United, a team that has players who are prepared to give everything for their team.

"If I sat here and said what we were going to do to them it might provoke them and then it could rebound on us.

"But I believe my players are capable of overturning any score.

"I know them very well and they can do this. Anything can happen. I look at Sir Alex Ferguson. He is a wonderful example for all managers."

Cristiano Ronaldo's new Spanish love revealed

Soccer ace Cristiano Ronaldo has lost his heart to a Spanish model, it has been revealed.

The Manchester United star is besotted with sultry 24-year-old model Nereida Gallardo.

The 23-year-old footballer met the Spaniard in a nightclub in Majorca in January.

During a match between Man U and Aston Villa last weekend, Ronaldo was seen blowing kisses to Nereida as she watched him score.

A friend of the Portuguese winger confirmed the news to 'News of the World'.

"A player asked Cristiano about the kisses he'd been blowing and he admitted he's got a new girl. Ronny's pretty smitten," the Daily Telegraph quoted the friend, as telling the News of the World.

I Want to Party Like 1999!

CRISTIANO Ronaldo wants to swap armchair admiration of United's 1999 stars for the Champions League winner's podium in Moscow.

In 49 days the tournament's leading goalscorer hopes to be the TV star who will inspire future generations of Reds.

Ronaldo has spent the last five years watching re-runs of United's European Cup success in Barcelona and dreaming of replicating the Nou Camp triumph. Now he aims to turn the dreams into reality.

"I have watched the 1999 final many, many times on television. It is something I want to do as well," he said.

"It is a great competition and, therefore, such a great experience to win it. Every one of the lads wants to win not just the Champions League but also the Premier League.

"And we know we have a good chance, because we are in such a good position at the moment.

"This is a fantastic club with great players. We have the experience. We have the team.

"The lads know that if we carry on like this, we have a good chance to win the Champions League. But we have to take it game to game and, if we do that, we will be OK.

Confident

"I think the team improves every year. In fact, at the moment the team is brilliant. Everyone is confident. We are experiencing a good moment. We are playing nice football and with such maturity.

"If we carry on like we did in Rome, with the next game at home and at 2-0, we have a great situation.

"Maybe we are the best team at the moment. But, we must not forget you have Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona.

"Even so, we are in a very good position right now.

"To win 2-0 at a big club like Roma is a very, very good result. It is amazing to go home with that kind of result behind you.

"But it is not good if we think it is all over. We have a great chance but we still have to play well at Old Trafford."

Ronaldo was still sat in front of his armchair on his return from Italy - watching his goal against Roma.

The 23-year-old put United ahead in the first half with a thumping header but was flattened in the process.

"I don't know much about the goal because I went down injured and was in pain so I didn't enjoy it.

"I will watch it against but the lads have told me it was brilliant," he added.

Ok i added the header myself! LoL

Yeah it would be amazing if we can win the Champion's League again, even getting to a final would be a achievement since we havn't got to one since 1999... It's such a shame a club of United's size and statue has only won the CL twice in our history... United have a great squad team and squad now who have a great chance to add to that hopefully, we are in a great position... but like Cristiano said before, it's not how you start the season that's the most important but how you finish it, and we need to stay focused on each game and not get complacent and i'm sure we can do it!

Cristiano Ronaldo: I'll be Champions League king

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed his burning desire to lead Manchester United to Champions League glory this season and emulate the club's European Cupwinning heroes of 1968 and 1999.

Sir Alex Ferguson has repeatedly claimed, with some justification, that a club of United's history, stature and vast resources should have more than two European Cups to their name.

And after inspiring United to a 2-0 win at Roma - which all but secured their semi-final place - Ronaldo echoed his manager, declaring his aim to deliver the continent's greatest club prize to Old Trafford for a third time.

Ronaldo was 14 and an aspiring youth player with Sporting Lisbon back in 1999 when United last won the Champions League to clinch the unprecedented Treble.
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And watching re-runs of the Sir Alex Ferguson has repeatedly claimed, with some justification, that a club of United's history, stature and vast resources should have more than two European Cups to their name.

And after inspiring United to a 2-0 win at Roma - which all but secured their semi-final place - Ronaldo echoed his manager, declaring his aim to deliver the continent's greatest club prize to Old Trafford for a third time.

Ronaldo was 14 and an aspiring youth player with Sporting Lisbon back in 1999 when United last won the Champions League to clinch the unprecedented Treble.

And watching re-runs of the dramatic 2-1 win over Bayern Munich on United's television station MUTV has given Ronaldo all the inspiration he needs to lift the famous trophy himself.

"Many times on television I've watched United winning the Champions League in 1999," said Ronaldo. "It looked incredible and it's something I want to do as well.

"I was only young at the time, but since then I have watched the match time and time again on TV at my home in Manchester and thought about winning it myself.

"I agree with the manager that United should have won it more than twice. This is a fantastic club with great players and great fans. It's the biggest club in the world.

"We have the players to win the European Cup this year, we have the experience and we have the team. So we must have a great chance.

"It's a fantastic competition and it would be such a great experience to win it. Every one of the lads wants to win the Champions League and go down in history at United."

On current form, with their swashbuckling attack led by Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, and their formidable defence marshalled by Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, United are arguably the best side in Europe.

Certainly, they are hitting their peak at just the right time, when the big prizes loom into view and the true test of a team's ability to handle the unique pressure of winning more than one trophy is applied.

Such is the confidence flooding through United's players right now, Ronaldo felt sufficiently emboldened to claim that there is no better team in Europe than Fergie's men when they are in full flow.

"Maybe we are the best team in Europe at the moment," said Ronaldo. "But we must not forget Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona are still in the tournament.

"Even so, we are in a very good position right now. To win 2-0 at a big team like Roma is a very, very good result and puts us almost in the semi-finals. And the lads know that if we carry on like this we have a great chance of winning the Champions League."

After netting his 36th goal of the season in Rome's Olympic Stadium on Tuesday night, Ronaldo looks certain to become only the third player in United's history to reach the 40-goal mark in a single campaign.

With six games left in the Premier League and potentially another four in Europe if United go all the way to the final in Moscow, it is hard to see Ronaldo failing to break the 40-goal barrier.

But rather than reflect on personal glory, Ronaldo praised the collective strength of United's side, who have come a long way since they failed to make it out of the group stage in December 2005. "I think the team has improved every year since then," he said.

"At the moment the team is brilliant, everyone is so confident. I feel the team is more mature and I'm more mature, too.

"If we can carry on like this in Europe, we'll be in a great situation.

I'm very happy to score important goals, but you must remember it's my team-mates who give me the passes.

"We know that there is a big difference between the Champions League and the Premier League. But the way we are playing right now, we feel we can win both of them."

Manchester United Training and Arriving in Rome 31.3.2008