Portuguese football/soccer: Unstoppable Ronaldo again targeted by Spanish giants

5 January 2008, by Sean Gillen

Unstoppable Ronaldo again targeted by Spanish giants

Ferguson fury at “lack of respect” shown by Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo set himself seemingly impossible standards when he produced his best ever season in 2006/07, with the Manchester United man collecting a host of both individual and team prizes.

The Portuguese was his side’s inspirational figure as United won their first Premiership title in four years and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and the final of the FA Cup. An impressive haul of 23 goals and numerous match-winning displays also saw Ronaldo end up with several personal awards at the end of the year.

With expectations now higher than ever, Ronaldo has shown in the opening half of the 2007/08 campaign further improvement. Beating last season’s goal tally appears inevitable, with the former Sporting man having already netted 18 goals in a mere 22 appearances so far, including leading the charts in the Champions League with five strikes.

Having continued his excellent form over Christmas with goals against Everton (2), Sunderland and West Ham – again displaying his wide range of talents by scoring a solo effort, a penalty, a free-kick and a header – many are predicting a repeat of the individual awards heaped on the Madeiran last May.

However, Ronaldo’s sparkling form is once again coming at a price for the Red Devils, with the beginning of what is likely to be another drawn-out transfer chase involving Spain’s top two clubs seemingly underway.

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According to Spanish press reports, the Portugal number 17 is top of both Barcelona and Real Madrid’s shopping lists, while United boss Alex Ferguson has reacted angrily to the renewed interest, saying of Real: “They do not know what respect is. They don’t respect anyone but themselves.”

Ronaldo admits Spanish interest

For his part, Ronaldo again reiterated his interest in a move to Spain at last month’s Fifa World Player of the Year award ceremony, but the forward’s most recent quotes suggest an intention to continue at Old Trafford for the near future.

“I am at the ideal club to grow and to reach the summit,” he said. “When I came to England I was only 18. In four years, everything has changed. I am no longer the same player.

“Thanks to mixing with some of the best players in the world, I have made progress on every front. I feel great. I get the feeling I am improving with every game.”

Is United still the best place for Ronaldo, or is the Portuguese coming towards the end of his cycle in England? Is it time for him to take up a fresh challenge and prove himself elsewhere, or does the Theatre of Dreams provide everything he needs to continue his exciting development into one of the game’s greats?

Your comments

Michael Trafford, Lisbon, Portugal
18/06/2008 19:18
Matthew, Canada. What a load of old rubbish. Ronaldo has become the complete player. He is not a playmaker nor is he supposed to be. But he makes fantastic assists - I remember a Premiership match in which he provided three (fabulous) assists (with magic touches) for three of the four goals United scored. He doesn't scored the good goals that Kaka scores! Which planet do you live on, Matthew? He has scored a world record 43 goals for a winger so far this season. And the European Championship is still ongoing. Kaka, who plays in a central attacking midfielder's position has never scored anthing that comes even close. And Ronaldo can play centre-forward if needs be - He is an excellent header of the ball. And he is twice the athlete that Kaka is (and this from an expert like myself who was an international track and field athlete)
Nonhlanhla Mzilikazi, South Africa, Johannesburg
26/03/2008 15:47
I believe that Ronaldo is at the best place to improve his talent and to be recognised as an excellent player. No offence but Real Madrid often spoils players eg. Beckam,Robinho, etc. So he is at the best place and should stay there if he still wants to be considered as an outstanding player with skill. IM A BIG FAN OF HIS BY THE WAY!!!!!
Tonni, Malta
05/02/2008 12:29
I THINK HE ISN'T HAVING THE BEST ATTENTION AT MAN UTD BY THE MEDIA ETC I THINK IF HE GOES TO REAL HE WILL BE MORE POPULAR AND WIN MORE CUPS THAN HE IS NOW!! C.RONALDO FOR REAL MADRID
sandra, uk
26/01/2008 11:20
Cristiano has played for United for 5 years now.It's time to move on...i personally would like to see him in Spain and i believe that playing for la liga is one of his dreams.They want him as well, so now it really is just a question of time...
Jay, Kyiv, Ukraine
24/01/2008 11:40
Real Madrid is the club that spoils football players.Beckham, Portilo, Gago, Robinho - they all show (or showed ) only approximately 10% of their talent craft. The Premiership is the only place where a player can really improve his sportmanship.
matthew, canada
09/01/2008 00:00
i do really think ronaldo should go to spain. barca and real want him and are willing to pay whatever for him,ronaldinho might move to chelsea so ronaldo could be barcas next transfer.real needs a player like ronaldinho on there team to continue to lead in la liga.personally kaka is much better then ronaldo,why because ronaldo doesnt score half the good goals kaka scores,and ronaldo is yet to win a fifa player of the year award.kaka has won the champions league and the club world cup, ronaldo hasnt accomplished any of those ya maybe he scores good freekicks, and thats good but what happens when there isnt freekicks,ronaldo isnt a good playmaker yet he will in the future, kaka is he makes good passes and scores way better goals. kaka is much better then ronaldo.i would really like to see ronaldo in la liga if he went to real or barca then there would be a better chance of winning club championships such as club world cup or champs.
Ramos, toronto, canada
08/01/2008 09:15
I would prefer to see Ronaldo end his career at Man utd. But he has repeatedly stated he would like to play in spain some day. I just hope he brings man utd a couple of champion leagues before he moves on. And I'm tired of hearing how much better Kaka is than him. I don't see Kaka winning headers on vital corner kicks, and burying free kicks, yes Kaka is more direct than he is but I think Ronaldo is an all round better player, and the trophies will eventually follow.
Licinio Martins, Toronto, Canada
08/01/2008 05:10
Ronaldo is considered one of the best players in the world. Once that plateau is reached he can pretty much dictate where he wants to play. Lets face it, the love of the jersey doesn't exist in this generation of players, so Ronaldo will be playing wherever the better pay cheque comes from. Regardless what he says to the press everyone knows that will be the deciding factor. Not pride, or what will be better for him in the long run. Besides after being accused of assult by some girl, being hated by the fans because of the Roony incident, and being labaled as diving cry baby by all the non-manchester supporters he may feel like he has over stayed his welcome in jolly old england. He will be in the spanish leage within the next 2 seasons that is a given.
Virgilio, Toronto, Canada
07/01/2008 14:36
I think Cristiano should stay at Old Trafford. Sir Alex has shown time and time again how much respect he has for # 7. Cristiano should be leery of Barca and how fast they can turn on their players. Look at the treatment Ronaldinho has received this year and last. Stay at Man U and go down in English football history as one of the greats, Cristiano. You owe Spain nothing.
george, rhode island, U.S.A
07/01/2008 14:27
yeah, ronoldo is improving every year in the league clubs. premier league is good for ronoldo for the speed. if he chooses to go to spanish league he going to slow his speed down in the future. but the spanish league has better team tactics then the premier league which will help ronoldo. i think that all those major clubs have to many superstars which is no good. i think better choice is the italian league. i also think for nationl team sakes he should move out from premier league because the tactics are different from the portugal national team tactics. every time u see ronoldo play for portugal he has a bit of difficulties. he needs to be in the same page. so i do consider him to move out.

viva portugal
Ricardo, Sao joal da madeira, Portugal
07/01/2008 09:28
HE HAS TO STAY WITH MANCHESTER...BEST LEAGUE IN THE WORLD AND YOU GET BEST EXPERIENCE.. SECONDLY.. MANCHESTER CAN TAKE ALL THE MONEY IN WORLD TO SELL RONALDO BUT WHY WOULD THEY DO IT IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE TALENT TO REPLACE HIM.... WITHOUT RONALDO MANCHESTER HAS NO TROPHIES. PERIOD.
Joe, NJ USA
07/01/2008 03:40
Oh man for $75 - $100 million (or anything close) you have to sell him.

I agree with the other opinions, he'll probably stay with Manchester a little while longer before making the move.

Benfica should buy him!! LOL
Max, Portland UK
07/01/2008 00:34
Its about time Real & Barca were warned by FIFA. Every time another club has an outstanding player they set about unsettling him. If its not Ronaldo then its Fabregas etc
Keith, Manchester
06/01/2008 01:19
As a United fan, it's a case of heart verus head. I hope he'll stay into his 30s and become a true legend at the club, but I think we all know he'll play in Spain before his peak days are through. I just hope he gives us another two or three seasons of this kind of service. If he leaves for Spain at 26/27 years old I don't think any United fan could have any complaints.
Joe, Boston, USA
05/01/2008 15:25
I think Ronaldo will see out the rest of this season and probably next at Old Trafford. After that, I think he's off to Madrid. Personally I would be kind of upset that I wouldn't get to see him on tv anymore, but I think a move to Spain would really raise the level of his game even more. I think it would be great for him to play every game surrounded by the likes of Robinho, RVN, and everyone else on the Madrid squad. Even if he went to Barcelona he would have an incredible supporting cast with Ronaldinho, Henry, Eto'o, Messi and more. He's been incredible in the Premier League the past two seasons, but I think he needs to be challenged more. Let's face it, there are a number of players in the BPL that are just not at the same level as Ronaldo, and probably never will be. In order to become even better than he already is, he needs to be playing with and against the best players in the world, and most of them cannot be found in the Premier League.
Mike Vieira, Hamilton,Ontario,Canada
05/01/2008 13:31
In order for Ronaldo to leave Man U and pursue his Spanish quest, I think it necessary he leave Old Trafford with one major piece of hardware. Win the Champion's League prove to the world you can win the big one and then you prove all the critics that you are the best player currently in the world. I would love to see him stay at Man U but... he will be in Spain within 2 years.
Ben, York, Uk
05/01/2008 13:26
Ronaldo loves playing for United. United fans love him. He'll stay and will become an Old Trafford legend, spoken about in the same breath as Best, Charlton, Edwards, Law. For the greats of the modern game there is no better place to be than the Premiership at the moment, with the cream of world football playing here.

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