Cristiano Ronaldo: I Want To Play In Spain
April 24, 2008
Cristiano Ronaldo has caused uproar in the Madrid-based press after reiterating that he would one day like to play in the Spanish league after the Champions League game against Barcelona.
The Portuguese star is the subject of endless rumours and speculation in both Marca and AS with Real Madrid stoking the fires by making comments about the player every few weeks.
Last year, Ronaldo openly admitted that during his career he would like to play in Spain and that was immediately interpreted as a signal that Los Merengues could make a move.
Instead, the Old Trafford favourite put pen-to-paper on a new deal that ties him to the Premiership giants until 2012 and there are reports that even that could now be extended again.
But Ronaldo’s latest statement has already led to Marca making the announcement their front page story and suggesting that Madrid would be clear favourites to land him should he move.
“I have said a million times that I would one day like to play in Spain,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “But I cannot see into the future and say when.”
After the Barça match, Ronaldo was very friendly with the home team’s players and chatted with Víctor Valdés with the pair embracing before they left the pitch.
That is certainly not a sign that he is set to move to Camp Nou, but following Marca´s logic that could mean that the day he fancies making a move to la Primera a reality he could choose to play with friends at Camp Nou.
Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United | Match Report
April 23, 2008
Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty as Manchester United held Barcelona in a cagey Champions League semi-final, first leg at the Nou Camp.
Gabriel Milito needlessly threw his hands in the way to block a Ronaldo header in only the second minute.
Barcelona - Manchester VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
But the Portuguese star wasted the opportunity by sidefooting wide.
Barcelona dominated the game and substitute Thierry Henry almost caught out United keeper Edwin van der Sar in the dying stages.
United will be rightly pleased with their defensive display, especially having lost Nemanja Vidic before the game to a stomach problem.
But they may live to regret Ronaldo’s early miss from the spot when the two sides meet again at Old Trafford next Tuesday.
They could not have imagined a better opportunity to grab an away goal and silence the home fans early on.
When the ball was played into the centre, Cristiano Ronaldo went up for the header and Milito stuck out an arm to block.
Barcelona protested Milito’s innocence but referee Massimo Busacca rightly pointed to the spot.
The Argentine defender was, however, given a let off when Cristiano Ronaldo opened his body and screwed his spot-kick wide of the upright.
Barcelona responded by taking a grip on the game, probing in and around the visitors’ area.
But United’s reworked backline - with Wes Brown at centre-back and Owen Hargreaves filling in at right-back - held firm.
Van der Sar was largely untroubled, except for the problems he caused himself with a couple of errant clearances.
United had vowed to attack but they were forced to play a containing game as Barcelona played possession football, with Lionel Messi at the heart of everything.
Wayne Rooney found himself almost in a defensive role and Ronaldo had little say in the game, being forced to pick the ball up deep and wasteful with the odd free-kick opportunity that came his way.
He was almost handed a chance to atone for his early penalty miss when he latched on to an errant and dangerous pass from Andres Iniesta.
Cristiano Ronaldo looked set for a run on goal but Rafael Marquez got his body in the way to shepherd the ball back to Victor Valdes and United’s penalty appeals came to nothing.
Samuel Eto’o had his first sight of goal just before half-time, but after cutting inside Rio Ferdinand his effort was charged down by Wes Brown.
Barcelona continued to dictate play after the break, with United fortunate that Eto’o chose not to go to ground in the box after skipping past Ferdinand.
When he squared he could not find a team-mate and a minute later the Cameroon striker shot poorly into the side netting after a neat move involving Messi and Deco.
Michael Carrick could have proved himself an unlikely hero as he did brilliantly to weave his way into the box, but he then wasted his good work by firing into the side-netting rather than square for a team-mate.
Messi was replaced by Krkic Bojan and though they continued to enjoy the bulk of the ball, they looked short of a cutting edge without their most potent weapon.
Henry was handed 15 minutes to show his worth and he looked keen to impress as he fired in a shot that Van der Sar managed to parry to safety.
However, there was to be no dramatic ending to a game that promised so much after such a splendid start.
Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United | Video Highlights
April 23, 2008
Cristiano Ronaldo missed an early penalty as Manchester United held Barcelona to a goalless draw in their Champions League semi-final first leg clash at the Camp Nou.
Xavi urges Cristiano Ronaldo to make Barcelona switch !
April 23, 2008
Barcelona ace Xavi has told Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo that he would be a better player if he moved to Spain.
“Ronaldo has goals, dribbling, pace and a winning mentality but also he over-complicates things,” Xavi said in the Daily Express. “He feels so superior to everybody, and rightly so, that he tries things that are unnecessary.
“He could be a much better player if he was here, playing with us. I have a soft spot for him. I would love him to join us.
“I feel that at the moment he doesn’t get as much pressure, as many demands, as he would get here. In England, if you do a couple of things right, people talk about you being a legend.
“Here if you don’t control a ball properly or if you kick the ball into the stands, people hate you. So you have to become a better player.
“Along with Lionel Messi, Ronaldo is the best player in the world. In fact he is in front of Leo in terms of influence in a game. The kid has everything. We are talking about physical and technical football.”
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea Video Highlights | Champions League
April 22, 2008
Liverpool : 43′ Kuyt
Chelsea : 95′ Riise (own goal)
LIVERPOOL 1-0 CHELSEA : 43′ Liverpool win a free-kick in midfield and when it’s played in the Chelsea defence fail to deal with it and KUYT is on hand to drive the ball home from close range.
LIVERPOOL 1-1 CHELSEA, incredible, RIISE heads into his own net from close range as he attempts to clear Kalou’s cross in from the left.
Barcelona - Man Utd | Cristiano Ronaldo: We Can Prove We’re The Best
April 22, 2008
Cristiano Ronaldo believes the end of the season will provide “a definite answer” to whether the current Manchester United team is the best ever.
Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed recently that this was probably the best United squad “in terms of completeness” he has had under his command since taking over at Old Trafford in 1986.
Ronaldo also believes the current crop of players is packed with talent, but the Portuguese superstar believes the team needs to prove it over the next few weeks as they chase a Premier League and Champions League double.
“It makes me feel good. He (Ferguson) has been at the club for 17-20 years, he has signed great players, incredible goalscorers,” Ronaldo told Spanish newspaper Sport.
“I also think that this is the most talented team, but you can only confirm this at the end of the season, seeing what the team has won.
“There is a lot of talent, I think that we are going along the right path.
“Game after game we have shown that we have a fantastic team, with a lot of talent and magnificent players, but at the end of the season we will be able to provide a definite answer if this team is the best Manchester United side of all time.
“If we win the Champions League or the Premier League we will have a better idea.”
Ronaldo was speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
United are favourites heading into the tie, but Ronaldo is taking nothing for granted against a Barca side who were European champions just two years ago.
“At this stage there are no easy games. They are all very important matches where the pressure is very high for both teams and you need the maximum concentration. Anything can happen,” said Ronaldo, who is looking forward to locking horns with Barca ace Lionel Messi.
“Messi is a very good player. It is a pleasure to play with players like him. We seem similar - we always want to score and win.
“Our objective is to win as quickly as possible. We will play to find the best result in the Nou Camp. I want to win.”
On a personal level, Ronaldo admits he is thoroughly enjoying life at United, who he joined from Sporting Lisbon in 2003.
“I feel very proud to represent this club, for whom I have been playing for five years,” he explained.
“I feel privileged to have played so many games at this stadium for so many years. It is a great honour for me to show my ability on the pitch, in front of the 60,000 or 70,000 people who go there every weekend, it is amazing.
“I am at a club which allows me to work well and win all the competitions that we participate in. I want to win both trophies with the team and individually.”
Ronaldo is enjoying a remarkable season at United and has netted 28 league goals already as the Red Devils look to defend their Premier League title.
That form has seen the 23-year-old emerge as one of the favourites to walk off with a host of individual awards this year, but the flying winger insists his main aim is to help United to silverware.
“My objective at this point is to win all the competitions that I am still playing in,” he added.
“The Premier League is a reward for the whole year but they are all very important. I am not obsessed with the best player award. What I want is to play well and to always win.”
Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Manchester United | Match Report
April 20, 2008
Carlos Tevez’s late equaliser kept Manchester United on course for the Premier League title as they earned a crucial point at Blackburn.
Blackburn Rovers - Manchester United VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
Roque Santa Cruz threatened to blow the race for the championship wide open with a calm finish after 21 minutes.
And Blackburn keeper Brad Friedel kept United at bay almost single-handedly with a string of stunning saves.
Tevez’s 88th minute header gives United a three-point lead over Chelsea before their visit to Stamford Bridge.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson made four changes ahead of the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona - with Nemanja Vidic returning after a three-game absence because of a knee injury and Tomasz Kuszczak stepping in for Edwin van der Sar in goal.
It contributed to moments of uncharacteristic uncertainty at the back, with Kuszczak having to rush out to block Jason Roberts from point-blank range after six minutes.
Tevez wasted a glorious chance to give United the lead three minutes later when he failed to apply the finishing touch to an inviting cross from Wayne Rooney.
And Blackburn made them pay after 21 minutes when Morten Gamst Pedersen’s throw led to a mix-up between Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, leaving Santa Cruz to slide in his 20th goal of the season from 12 yards.
David Bentley then forced Kuszczak to turn over his 25-yard shot as Blackburn grew in confidence after taking the lead.
Rooney demonstrated the lack of discipline that still dogs his game when he picked up a deserved yellow card six minutes before the interval.
He was still seething after being refused a penalty by referee Rob Styles when he tumbled under a challenge from Steven Reid.
And it was all too inevitable that Rooney would pursue retribution almost instantly, launching a dangerous two-footed tackle on Christopher Samba that was lucky to be only punished with a booking.
There was more frustration after 42 minutes when Ronaldo rose to meet Ryan Giggs’ corner, only to see Friedel produce a fine diving save.
It was Giggs’ final contribution as he was replaced by fit-again Nani during the interval.
Make your Premier League predictions
United, predictably, upped the tempo after the break and they were desperately unlucky not to draw level after 63 minutes when Ronaldo sent an angled long-range drive against an upright.
But they survived a scare 10 minutes later when Pedersen drove into the United area and flashed the ball across the face of goal with no-one able to make contact.
Rooney appeared to be struggling with a hip injury, but he was still a threat and tested Friedel with a powerful low shot.
Blackburn somehow survived again with nine minutes left when Rooney set up Ronaldo, who was denied by Johann Vogel’s tackle. Tevez turned the loose ball towards goal, but Friedel got a hand to his effort and then snatched the ball off the goal-line.
And United looked to be denied a penalty when Michael Carrick’s goal-bound header clearly struck Brett Emerton on the arm, but once again their claims fell on deaf ears.
Blackburn were under fierce pressure, and once more Friedel was the hero with six minutes left, saving brilliantly from Rooney when he was clean through.
Friedel was turning in an inspirational performance, and he somehow denied substitute John O’Shea from almost on the line as United laid siege to Blackburn’s goal.
But he could do nothing as United finally got the equaliser they deserved with two minutes left.
Nani’s corner was flicked on by Paul Scholes and Tevez headed in from six yards to send the United’s hordes wild in celebration.
Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Manchester United Video Highlights
April 20, 2008
Manchester United : 86′ Carlos Tevez
Blackburn Rovers : 21′ Roque Santa Cruz
Blackbur Rovers 1-0 Manchester United : 21′ Roque Santa Cruz opens the scoring for Rovers as they take the lead over the champions elect. Santa Cruz fires it in following confusion after Pedersens long throw in.
Blackbur Rovers 1-1 Manchester United : 86′ Carlos Tevez equalises for Manchester United. Its a massive relief for the reigning champions who have been pushing throughout the second half and are worthy of at least a point from this game.
Mark Hughes warns Ronaldo to stay put
April 19, 2008
Cristiano Ronaldo has rarely hidden his desire to experience life in La Liga before calling time on his already remarkable career, but the Manchester United winger has been urged to consider just what he could be leaving behind should he ultimately decide that the Nou Camp or the Bernabeu would provide a more fitting stage for his talents than Old Trafford.
The 23-year-old, whose 38 goals in all competitions this season have placed United on course for a Premier League and Champions League double, is constantly linked with record-breaking moves to Spain’s two superpowers, Real Madrid and Barcelona, despite Sir Alex Ferguson’s insistence that the Portuguese is not for sale at any price.
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With Ronaldo due to participate in Euro 2008 this summer, the interest of Real and Barcelona is is unlikely to fade, but the Blackburn manager Mark Hughes, who was tempted away from United by Barcelona in 1985 before returning to Old Trafford two unsuccessful years later, has warned Ronaldo that the grass will not necessarily be greener elsewhere.
Hughes said: “I think the Premier League is the hardest league in world football and Ronaldo is playing with the top club in it. Why would he leave? There is absolutely no reason to do so because everything is there for him.
“He is the top player in the top club in the top league, so there is no reason for him to leave. Barcelona, for instance, is a fantastic club and has the tradition and standing in world football that United has, but I don’t see them as the top club at the moment.
“Ronaldo has had a great season. A stand-out, career-defining season, you could call it and it is fantastic for him to be a couple of goals away from forty. He did exceptionally well last year and I felt it would be difficult for him to top that, but he has managed it. That is a credit to his drive and his ambition to be the best player in the world, which he is obviously very close to being.”
Hughes’s team can breathe new life into the title race if they beat United at Ewood Park this evening and Rovers have form against the champions having secured a league double over Ferguson’s men two seasons ago. With United seemingly at the peak of their powers, though, Hughes admits that repeating previous heroics will be a daunting task for Blackburn.
He said: “United are getting better, but we have to make sure we are still able to give them a run for their money. We still feel we are able to do that - we are a top ten Premier League side, so we should be able to give a good account of ourselves.
“United are the stand-out team this year. They are exceptionally gifted as a team and have outstanding individual talent as well. It does become difficult to keep them at bay, but it can be done. We have proved that in the past and we are looking to do it again.
“Sir Alex is very supportive of the guys like myself who have been in his charge and he wants them to do well - but not when they are playing United! He doesn’t enjoy getting beaten by his former players.”
Cristiano Ronaldo expecting title victory
April 19, 2008
Cristiano Ronaldo says Manchester United are under a lot of pressure, but he is highly confident they will win the Premier League title.
United took a major step towards becoming champions for a second successive season by beating Arsenal on Sunday, and Chelsea’s 1-1 draw at home to Wigan on the following night has left Sir Alex Ferguson’s men five points clear with four game to go.
They head to Blackburn on Saturday and Ronaldo believes that victory in that game would go a long way towards ensuring they retain the title.
“We are in a good position now,” he said. “When Chelsea dropped points after we won against Arsenal, it was fantastic for us.
“Blackburn will be a tough game, but if we win we have a good chance to win the title.
“There are only four games left and there is a lot of pressure, but my confidence is high.”
