Defeat biggest blow for Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo had admitted Wednesday’s Champions League defeat to Barcelona was one of the biggest disappointments of his career.

RONALDO: TACTICS WERE `NOT GOOD`

Cristiano Ronaldo felt Manchester United’s tactics were ‘not good’ during the club’s 2-0 defeat by Barcelona in the final of the UEFA Champions League.

United set out at the Stadio Olimpico with the same formation which overcame Arsenal in the semi-finals, with Ryan Giggs replacing the suspended Darren Fletcher.

However, after a positive start, the Premier League champions failed to recover from conceding a 10th minute Samuel Eto’o goal and were outplayed for the remainder of the game.

Sir Alex Ferguson altered his tactics at half-time by bringing on Carlos Tevez for Anderson, but the change failed to improve United’s performance.

Ronaldo started the match up front before moving out to the wing and the Portuguese ace felt ‘everything went wrong’.

“I cannot explain,” he told RTP. “We, the players, were not well, the tactics were not good… everything went wrong.

“We have to give credit to Barcelona, but they were a bit lucky to be here because Chelsea did not deserve to lose and no-one has mentioned that.

“I have to congratulate Barcelona, they were better, but football is just like this: only the winners get talked about.”

The former Sporting Lisbon man also refused to comment on his future amid fresh reports linking Real Madrid with a renewed interest in his services.

He added: “My future now is the national squad, so that we can win, so that we can be in a good position in our qualifying group.

“About clubs, I do not want to talk about that, I want to rest, go on holiday, I am very tired, I have played a lot of games, a lot of pressure.

“The future, we will see.”

Cristiano Ronaldo’s driving force as he prepares for Manchester United’s Champions League final against Barcelona tonight is the prospect of making history.

United will become the first club to retain the trophy in the 17-year lifetime of the competition if they defeat the Spanish champions in the Stadio Olimpico.

And Ronaldo, who admits his affection for Spanish football, claims that means much more to him than winning the world footballer of the year trophy last season when he beat Barcelona’s Lionel Messi into second place.

Ronaldo said: “I like the Spanish league. I feel well in England in the Premier League, it is the strongest league. Barcelona have a great team which deserves respect but I believe we are better than them and we will show it.

“I respect Barcelona profoundly. Messi is playing marvellously well. I want to be sincere. I have to play well tomorrow for the team and the supporters. I look forward to it and I think it will be really special.

“I don’t care about the Ballon D’or. What I want more is to win the Champions League. That’s it.

“I just want to be the first team in history to win it twice.”

Ronaldo has dismissed any fears about playing in white, like the Real Madrid side who were annihilated 6-2 by Barcelona recently.

He also insisted he is happy to carry the burden of the spotlight which constantly surrounds him.

“It’s normal that people speak about me but I am 100% focused on this game,” he said.

“I try to help my team 100%, score a goal and win the game. That’s it.”

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson also gave an insight into what makes Ronaldo United’s most potent threat and why he constantly conjures up feats such as the 41-yard free-kick screamer which broke Arsenal hearts in the semi-final second leg at the Emirates.

Ferguson said: “There’s no mystery. He’s always out there after the team training has finished, practising his shots. The great players don’t rely on their natural ability, they practice to make sure they have that something extra.

“In the semi-final against Arsenal I could tell he was going to hit it, from the body shape, even though it was so far out.”

Ronaldos worry before ucl final 09

Cristiano Ronaldo has provided Manchester United with a late injury scare ahead of the UEFA Champions League final after requiring treatment in training.

The Portuguese winger needed strapping on his ankle during Tuesday evening’s training session at the Stadio Olimpico.

Ronaldo, who missed the start of the season after undergoing ankle surgery, is expected to be fit for Wednesday’s showpiece in Rome.

The 24-year-old is likely to start up front against Barcelona, with Wayne Rooney and Park Ji-sung tipped to provide support from wide.

Nemanja Vidic was also photographed during the session holding his hamstring, but United have confirmed the Serbian is fit.

Vidic’s central defensive partner Rio Ferdinand has also declared himself fit to start the final after a recent absence due to a calf injury.

Barcelona had injury concerns of their own during their final training session after midfielder Sergi Busquets required treatment.

Busquets is expected to start in a holding midfield role, with Barcelona’s defensive issues likely to lead to Yaya Toure dropping into the back-line.

Andres Iniesta and Thierry Henry did train on Tuesday evening after recent injury lay-offs and the duo should start for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Cr7 2009 – number 1

MANU champions of Premiere league 09! congrats

Gettyimages

Bolt offers tips to Ronaldo at Manchester United training

The world’s fastest man offered running tips to football’s world player of the year today as Usain Bolt dropped in on a Manchester United training session.

Bolt, the Olympic triple gold medalist and United fan, took the opportunity to advise speedy winger Cristiano Ronaldo how to adjust the running technique that torments defences but often sees him tumble to the ground too easily.

CR7 store opening // OLd news 2008

http://www.Cr7fashion.com

Now, as the Spanish tabloid Marca suggested, Ronaldo’s decision to open a branch of his shop in Madrid could explain something about the Real-United transfer saga. Especially because reports explain that the shop will be named ‘CR9’ and not ‘CR7’… (See video)

Is there something to do with the number of the jersey? Perhaps yes, because Ronaldo might certainly carry the number 9 should he be a Galactico, as the number 7 is Raul’s.

Most surprisingly, according to Ronaldo’s website, the Red Devil Star is said to undertake a huge project that should see him open new shops in Los Angeles, Prague, Berlin, Tokyo, London, Milan, Madrid and Paris but not in his own Manchester.

Is Cristiano Ronaldo anticipating a move to Madrid and a huge unpopularity in Manchester?

║Cristiano Ronaldo║HQ║annoyed about gets substitute against Manchester City║

SENIOR Manchester United players have turned on Cristiano Ronaldo and told him to stop acting like a PLONKER.

A number of them were angry with the Portuguese star’s lack of respect for boss Alex Ferguson when he was substituted in Sunday’s Manchester derby.

Interviews with Sir Alex Ferguson and Cristiano Ronaldo – 5th May, 2009

[Youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZlJoZp4Yy8]