Cristiano Ronaldo Contemplates Future

Cristiano Ronaldo has said that he would first take time off and vacation before deciding on whether to continue his duties in a Manchester United uniform. This is after the Red Devils’ disappointing loss to FC Barcelona in the Champions League final, two goals to zip. So disappointing was his performance in the championship match that even the Catalan crowd jeered him as he received his second place model.

Hovering around the star striker are rumours of a move to Real Madrid, which he left hanging by neither confirming or denying it. What he did confirm though was his stint with the Portuguese national team for the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup to be held at South Africa. That is how far the FIFA Footballer of the Year has planned for his future, and said beyond that, he would still have to see. That has made many fans of Manchester United biting their nails.

Manchester United’s Masterful Win

The Red Devils have inched closer to the English Premier League crown with a masterful 5-2 win over the Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford last Saturday.

There was pressure early on as Liverpool eased into the lead of the leader board on goal difference due to their win against Hull earlier in the day. And the lacklustre performance of Manchester United in their own match against the Spurs seem to let their title chances slip away. But the substitution of Carlos Tevez made all the difference as all the goals of the team were set up or passed through the Argentine’s sterling play.

Well, that was in the first half as in the second half showed the will of champions in front of their home crowd as Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals apiece in a span of fifteen minutes which sealed the win with a penalty kick slotted by Cristiano Ronaldo finalized the score to the jubilation of the more than 75,000 Manchester United fans on hand.

Manchester United Up by Three Points

Manchester United’s 2 nil victory over Portsmouth has given them the upper hand to wrest the Premier League Cup championship. They went ahead three points clear after Chelsea was held to a goal less draw by Everton at home.

 

Wayne Rooney drew first blood but it was Michael Carrick’s late game stab at goal sent the Red Devils past Liverpool, with still one game to go on their schedules. Over-all Manchester United has 74 points with six matches while Liverpool has 71 with only five matches in their card. Liverpool was held to a four all draw by Arsenal in their own semifinals duel. Chelsea sits at third with 68 points but only has five more matches to go.

Wayne Rooney teamed with strike partner Cristiano Ronaldo to control the match from opening kick off. Ryan Giggs perfect pass to Wayne Rooney nine minutes in to the match opened the scoring for the Old Trafford club. There were scoring chances for Portsmouth but Michael Carrick sealed the three points with a forward volley from able midfielder Paul Scholes.

ManUtd over Blackburn

Manchester United fortifies its first place standing with a two goals to one win over Blackburn. This is the Red Devils’ tenth straight victory in the English Premier League. Though another streak was broken, that of Manchester United’s skein of fourteen matches without conceding a goal as strikers Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo held off a furious rally by the Rovers.
Rooney scored first in the 23rd minute with a superb shot on goal but Roque Santa Cruz pulled Blackburn even in the 32nd minute with the ball into the net at nearly impossible angle. But Ronaldo after receiving a yellow card for diving in the box struck home the winning goal in the 60th to preserve the win. Alex Ferguson later commented that the Blackburn Rovers made his team fight for its chances and placed the team back on terra firma as each match that comes along may make or break their chances at proceeding to the next round. United also preserved another record by starting Tomasz Kuszczak in lieu of Edwin van der Sar to keep the latter’s streak without conceding a goal as keeper to 1032 minutes, a British record.

Ronaldo wants perfecton in 2009

Cristiano Ronaldo has said that he wants to improve on his exploits of 2008 this year, although it is hard to see how he could top his performances and acheivements of last year.

Ronaldo scored 42 goals last season, helping Manchester United to a Premier League and Champions league double. Also, he won the Ballon d’ Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards, something that most players would consider the pinnacle of acheivement in modern football.

However, the Portugese winger believes he has a lot more to give, and he refused to give himself a perfect score when asked to give his efforts last term a mark out of 10.

“I can’t say 10, so nine,” Ronaldo said. “I think I can improve all the time. 10 is the maximum and I haven’t reached that yet so, I’d give myself nine. I hope 10 out of 10 is to come. I believe it will.

“My challenge is always to be better and better. You have to try for that. If you don’t try, you won’t win anything.”

The current season has been a disappointing one for Ronaldo, as after being injured early on, he has failed to hit top form. Ronaldo also puts the team’s fortunes above his own.

“Some things went against me at the start of the season when I was injured, but my form is coming back and the team are winning. That’s the most important thing. Me scoring goals is not important, as long as the team wins. If that happens, I win too. I know if I keep working hard and doing the right things, my form is going to get better and better, so I don’t worry.

Intermilan for Ronaldo

Ronaldo has recently won the Fifa world player of the Year 2008 and it is known that he said that he will join the Spanish giants Real Madrid at the end of the season.

There were rumours at the start of the season that he is leaving but the Red Devils managed to some how stop him from leaving. Their manager also threatened to resign if Ronaldo was to leave the club which showed how much the Red Devils depend on Ronaldo.

Recently, Intermilan has also joined the race for the triple accolade winner of 2008. It is inevitable that Ronaldo wants to go Real Madrid as he has been in link with them for the past one year now. Intermilan is top of the table in Serie A and they are probable winners this year but its difficult that Mourinho will be able to bring the recently crowned winger in his squad although they need a class winger after several of their tranfers failed to materialize.

From Soccer to Riches

Soccer has always been the all time favorite among other sports and the best players and coaches in this sport has been receiving so much popularity as well as good fortune from the payoffs they receive.

The highest paid soccer player is David Beckham. His earnings increased to about 80% which composed of salary and endorsement contracts since he joined the LA Galaxy. This made him on top of Ronaldinho of Barcelona whose income remained at £19.2 million.

Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of the Manchester United became 3rd and 4th highest paid players. Messi’s income is £18.3 million while Ronaldo’s is £15.5 million.

Jose Mourinho is the highest paid coach with an income of £23.1 million. Next one is Fabio Capello followed by Alex Ferguson.

Here is the top list of the highest paid soccer players.
1. David Beckham - £24.7 million
2. Ronaldinho - £19.2 million
3. Lionel Messi - £18.3 million
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - £15.5 million
5. Thierry Henry - £13.4 million
6. John Terry - £11.1 million
7. Michael Ballack - £11 million
8. Ronaldo - £10.7 million
9. Kaka, Milan - £10.3 million
10. Steven Gerrard - £9.4 million

This only shows how popular the sport really is.

Robinho wants to be the best

In the aftermath of the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga, Real Madrid have found themselves in a position many thought they would be in if they had not acquired the signature of the Portuguese international. The implications of Madrid tactics have left one of the world’s most promising players and one of the clubs best unhappy and in temporary dismay.

Robinho’s agent Wagner Ribeiro has stated that his client is unhappy with the way Madrid has treated him this summer and has stated that in order for him to become the best he can not stay in the Spanish capital. In a news conference, Robinho’s agent stated that “Chelsea have made a formal proposal to Real Madrid for Robinho. I do not know the amount, but the offer has been made.”

“Robinho is very angry with the way that the directors of Real Madrid have been behaved towards him.

“He calls me every day to see if anyone has told me anything about his future and I have to tell him that I have received no calls. “I have spent three days trying to speak with some of the directors at Madrid, but they have all disappeared. “Robinho does not understand anything. He wants to be the best players in the world, but at Real Madrid he cannot achieve that because they treat him like a normal player.

“He has liked nothing about the way that Real Madrid have gone about their transfer activity this summer.” Ribeiro further stated that “Robinho’s plan has been to play for Real Madrid for many years and then go back to Santos. Where is he going to find a better club than Real Madrid,” Ribeiro said.

“But now he does not have the support he needs and Scolari is wiling to give him that because he knows him and speaks to him often.” So with Robinho’s frustrations growing at the Bernabeu, we could see his departure from the Bernabeu as a ripple effect of Real’s Ronaldo pursuit.

Will Real still let Robinho go?

In light of Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to remain at Manchester United, Real Madrid have found themselves in a very interesting situation. With the signing of Rafael Van Der Vaart, Real Madrid now have a replacement for the Brazilian winger and bearing in mind that Robinho has told Real to let him join Chelsea; Will Real Madrid let him go?

Incidentally, Robinho’s reasons for wanting to leave the Santiago Bernabeu are simply that he feels unappreciated at the club and ironically coach Bernd Schuster has stated that he does not want the utility striker to leave. Chelsea though have made a €30million for Robinho which was turned down by Real Madrid who wanted €40million for the player; a tidy sum and even though Chelsea are big spenders, Real Madrid may not get the amount they require.

Also with a number of Chelsea players calling for the Brazilian at Stamford Bridge, Robinho may make a move to the Premiership where he is sure that he is needed.

Cristiano Ronaldo stays at Manchester United

After months of speculation and rumors, Manchester United and Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo has finally made his descision; he will stay at Manchester United. The Portuguese has been subject of a ongoing transfer saga with La Liga champions Real Madrid and Premiership champions Manchester United and now its finally ended.

Ronaldo was quoted as saying “Ferguson heard my arguments, I heard his and, in fact, it was settled that the best for both parties would be for me to stay. Therefore, I can confirm that, next season, I will play for Manchester United.”

“And, before rumours emerge saying that I will play against my will, I want to make this clear: whoever says or writes that is lying. I will play for Manchester with all my heart and soul. I will fight and honour that shirt with the same commitment and dedication as always.”

Ronaldo went on to further state that he takes full responsibility for the saga that lasted for so long and apologized to Manchester United fans for his actions. So with the wing wizard’s decision to remain at Old Trafford; the upcoming season should be very interesting. What he be the same player as he was last season?

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