Ronaldo: I'm Joining Madrid Next Week

Cristiano Ronaldo has sensationally told Spanish newspaper 'AS' that he will be joining Real Madrid, and will next week travel to Manchester to notify Sir Alex Ferguson that he is leaving the English and European Champions.

Real Madrid have been on red alert ever since the Portuguese international spoke of his ambition to join them. Madrid President Ramon Calderon has even boasted of how he would splash out €100m on the United man, only for the English club to refute all offers and shackle the player.

It now seems as if the English club has no choice but to sell, as Ronaldo has issued an ultimatum as he attempts to cut and run from Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

Ronaldo is currently in Portugal where he is recovering from injury but he admits that he will return to England next week to confront his club and tell them that he is joining Real.

"Everything is fine. Next week I will return to England and tell them [Manchester United] that my only desire is to play for Real Madrid and that I will not negotiate," Ronaldo told AS.

According to reports in Spain, the winger will hold a meeting next Tuesday with Ferguson and the club's owners to tell them that he has had enough.

It's not what United fans want to hear but it seems as if the Ronaldo saga is finally coming to an end and no doubt Calderon will be dancing to the tune of Ronaldo's words.

Gago: Real would welcome Ronaldo

Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo would be made to feel welcome at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Portuguese superstar has been linked with a move to Real for much of the summer, but Manchester United have steadfastly refused to do business.

Holland international Wesley Sneijder gave an insight into the mood in the Real dressing room when suggesting the reported hue pay packet on the table would cause unrest in the camp.

Gago, though, has given a different viewpoint – insisting a player of Ronaldo’s qualities would be welcomed to the club.

“Well, he’s a great player and it seems logical to me that such a team as Real Madrid want him, because all the big clubs are interested in him,” Gago told AS.

“I don’t know whether he’s going to join us or not, but we would open the doors to him.”

Commenting on Sneijder’s concerns about Ronaldo’s reported wages, Gago added: “If Cristiano Ronaldo joins Real Madrid he will earn a lot of money because he deserves it and I would only congratulate him, but in the changing room he’d just be one more player and it would be expected of him to act like a trainee.

“Here we are all equal. This is a team and everyone must give their best to achieve a common aim.”

Gago feels Ronaldo is below Barcelona star Lionel Messi in football’s pecking order.

“To me he’s not the best,” added Gago. “To me the world’s best is Messi for the way he plays when he’s in control of the ball.

“He’s an incredible talent and I’m delighted with the way he lives football.”

Calderon still waiting on Ronaldo

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon admits he can do little more as the club wait for Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo to decide on his future.

The Portuguese star has been tracked by Real all summer, although United are adamant they are not prepared to sell the man whose goals helped them to Barclays Premier League and Champions League glory last season.

Ronaldo has refused to confirm where his future lies and Calderon told Spanish sports daily AS: "Look, this is a problem that wasn't created by Real Madrid. That which is exaggerated or not about this signing is down to those who've given it as read that the deal is closed and not by us. Madrid are just spectators in this soap opera."

He added: "At the moment Manchester United and the player are in an argument and Madrid are waiting...and we can't do any more for the time being.

"Obviously, it's clear that we want Cristiano with the quality that he has. But there is a contractual problem that United and the player have to resolve, not us.

"Will he persuade the club to let him go? I can't say that. That question's for the player, who has publicly said his dream is to play for Madrid.

"We hear those words with pride and satisfaction, but his departure doesn't only depend on Cristiano. United are the ones that have to sort it out and it will either happen or not."

Ronaldo, who is recovering from ankle surgery, is yet to return to Manchester, but Calderon believes when he finally does it could be decisive for player and club.

"It could happen then, but it's true that we have to wait developments," he continued. "Everyone's thinking so much about this matter that people can get confused and I understand that they're fed up.

"They (United and Ronaldo) will talk next week and if after this conversation United decide to sell him, then of course Madrid will be there."

The heat is off.. but not for Cristiano Ronaldo

It's difficult to understand how the bookies are always right on the money when they offer odds on what the weather is going to do. You'd presume they get their information from the experts like the Met Office. Except the Met Office is normally wrong when it comes to forecasts. They're not even effective at policing London any more.

The meteorological office isn't much better. If Michael Fish told us we were going to have a good day the opposite generally happened. However, if Ulrika Jonsson said you were going to have a good night there was no reason to doubt her.

Everybody complains about the weather but very few of us do anything about it. We have been told summer has officially ended. For those who aren't certain it took place on Thursday 3rd July. A strict hosepipe ban was called for the following day. It was so strict American women were forbidden wearing panty hose.

Last weekend's weather was the best we are likely to see this year, or so say the bookies. Hills offer even money the UK won't have a hotter weekend again this summer.

But Ronaldo will still be able to concentrate his pre-season efforts on browning himself as he browns off Fergie. It makes a refreshing change to see footballers being roasted.

Ronaldo dating Italian model?

MANCHESTER UNITED star CRISTIANO RONALDO is reportedly dating Italian model LETIZIA FILIPPI.
According to Italian sources, the winker met the beauty while on holiday with fiancée NEREIDA GALLARDO, a week before they split up.

The source claims Letizia - who is seven years older than Ronaldo - is the reason why he ended his seven-month relationship with the Spanish model.

The ex-couple reportedly had dinner with Letizia and her then-partner onboard a yacht, during which the Man Utd ace and his latest lover "exchanged a number of glances".

Ron was "totally bewitched" by Letizia and attempted to give her his number at the end of the night, which she rejected.

However the Portuguese star was not put off - he "inundated her with texts and flowers" before eventually winning her over.

Letizia lives in Rome and rose to fame in her homeland by finishing third place in the 1994 Miss Italia.

A career in TV followed and she caught the attention of Italian ski champion, ALBERTO TOMBA, whom she dated for two years.

After that relationship came to an end, she started seeing former Napoli and Parma footballer MASSIMO CRIPPA.

More to follow...

Wink or Swim for Ronaldo

A very single Cristiano Ronaldo was spotted trying to score with girls at LA’s Beverley Hills Hotel by sitting by the pool and checking out Hollywood’

FINALLY CRISTIANO RONALDO has put his winking to good use — using it to pull by the pool.

The crocked winger is staying at LA’s Beverly Hills Hotel while he rests and waits to see if he’s playing his footie in Manchester or Madrid next season.
Although it seems the beautiful game is the last thing on his mind — he spends his days at the pool checking out Hollywood’s stunning wannabe models and actresses.

After dumping NEREIDA GALLARDO last week, he’s already scored in the States — he took an American called Jen back to his suite on Thursday night and was all over a Scot at an LA club on Friday.

And by Saturday the Portuguese star — who famously winked at his national team boss after helping get United team-mate WAYNE ROONEY sent off in a World Cup clash with England — was looking for a hat-trick.

A fellow holidaymaker revealed: “Ronaldo is on heat. He struts around like he owns the pool, then sits on the edge with both feet in the water showing off his tanned and toned body.

“He scopes out every hot chick who goes by. When one brunette in a tight white T-shirt saw him, he lifted his sunglasses, giving her a cheeky wink.”

For once Ronaldo missed the target — as she headed to the bar instead.

His Spanish ex, who is still telling pals they’re an item, is still doing her best to stay in the limelight though.

Nereida judged a, er, wet T-shirt competition in Ibiza.

And it looks like she had struggled to squeeze her own assets into a low-cut white dress.

Nereida — keep posing for pictures like this, and I’ll keep printing them. You don’t need that little winker . . .

Cristiano Ronaldo ‘is on heat’

A very single Cristiano Ronaldo was spotted trying to score with girls at LA’s Beverley Hills Hotel by sitting by the pool and checking out Hollywood’s stunning wannabe models and actresses.

Ronaldo, who had just split with Nereida Gallardo last week, is resting at the hotel and waiting to see if he will be playing for Manchester or Madrid next season.

The right-winger has already scored with an American called Jen when he took her back to his suite on July 17 night and he was all over a Scot at an LA club on July 18.

“Ronaldo is on heat. He struts around like he owns the pool, then sits on the edge with both feet in the water showing off his tanned and toned body,” the Sun quoted a fellow holidaymaker as revealing.

“He scopes out every hot chick who goes by. When one brunette in a tight white T-shirt saw him, he lifted his sunglasses, giving her a cheeky wink,” he added.

However Ronaldo’s target went right by him and headed straight for the bar instead.

Gallardo on the other hand has been telling her pals that they are still an item, and she is doing her best to stay in the limelight, even being a judge at a wet T-shirt competition in Ibiza.

Cristiano Ronaldo on holiday with his stunning girlfriend, Spanish model Nereida Gallardo and his family in Sardinia, Italy

Honours

Team honours with Manchester United

FA Premier League:
Winner: 2006-07, 2007-08
Runner-up: 2005-06
FA Cup:
Winner: 2003-04
Runner-up: 2004-05, 2006-07
League Cup:
Winner: 2005-06
FA Community Shield:
Winner: 2007
UEFA Champions League:
Winner: 2007-08

Team honours with Portugal
UEFA European Championship:
Runner-up: 2004
Appearances: 2004, 2008
FIFA World Cup:
4th place: 2006
Appearances: 2006

Individual honours and awards

Professional Footballers' Association
PFA Players' Player of the Year: 2006-2007, 2007-2008
PFA Young Player of the Year: 2006-2007
PFA Fans' Player of the Year: 2006-2007, 2007-2008
PFA Premier League Team of the Year: 2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2007-2008
PFA Fans' Player of the Month: October 2006, February 2007, November 2007, January 2008
Barclays Premier League
Barclays Player of the Season: 2006-2007, 2007-2008
Barclays Player of the Month: November 2006, December 2006, January 2008, March 2008
Barclays Golden Boot: 2007-2008
Barclays Merit Award: 2007-2008
Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year: 2006-2007, 2007-2008
Manchester United
Manchester United Players' Player of the Year: 2006-2007, 2007-2008
Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year: 2003-2004, 2006-2007, 2007-2008
Manchester United Goal of the Season: 2005-2006, 2007-2008
Portugal
Portuguese Sports Personality of the Year: 2006
Portuguese Footballer of the Year: 2006-2007
Europe
UEFA Team of the Year: 2003-2004, 2006-2007
UEFA Champions League Top Scorer: 2007-2008
UEFA European Championship 2004: Team of the Tournament
European Golden Shoe - Soulier d'Or: 2007-2008
U-21 European Footballer of the Year - Bravo Award: 2004
European Footballer of the Year - Ballon d'Or:
2nd place: 2007
Onze d'Or
2nd place: 2007
World
FIFA World Player of the Year
3rd place: 2007
World Soccer Player of the Year
3rd place: 2007
FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year: 2004-2005, 2005-2006
FIFPro World XI: 2006-2007

Special achievements

One of only two players to have won both the PFA Players' Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year awards in the same year, the other being Andy Gray in 1977.
Also won the PFA Fans' Player of the Year award in 2007, becoming the first player to win all three Professional Footballers Association awards in one season.
Only the third player in Premier League history to win back-to-back Barclays Player of the Month awards, and the first since the 1997-1998 season.
Only the second player in the history of English football to be named both the Football Writers' Footballer of the Year and PFA Players' Player of the Year in successive seasons.
Holds the Premier League record for most goals scored in one season by a midfielder, having scored 31 times during the 2007-2008 Premier League campaign.
Holds the joint Premier League record for most goals scored in a 38-game season (tied with Alan Shearer with 31 goals).
One of only two players to feature in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the 2005-2006, 2006-2007, and 2007-2008 seasons, the other being Steven Gerrard.
The only player to win Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award 3 times: 2003-2004, 2006-2007, 2007-2008

Non-hereditary Orders and Titles

Orders and decorations received by Cristiano Ronaldo:
Officer of the Order of Infante D. Henrique (Portugal)
Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa (House of Braganza).

International Goals

Cristiano Ronaldo‎: International goals
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition

1
12 June 2004
Estádio do Dragão, Porto, Portugal
Greece
1 – 2
1 – 2
Euro 2004

2
30 June 2004
Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal
Netherlands
2 – 0
2 – 1
Euro 2004

3
4 September 2004
Skonto stadions, Riga, Latvia
Latvia
0 – 1
0 – 2
World Cup 2006 Qualifying

4
8 September 2004
Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal
Estonia
1 – 0
4 – 0
World Cup 2006 Qualifying

5
13 October 2004
Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal
Russia
2 – 0
7 – 1
World Cup 2006 Qualifying

6
13 October 2004
Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal
Russia
4 – 0
7 – 1
World Cup 2006 Qualifying

7
17 November 2004
Stade Josy Barthel, Luxemburg City, Luxembourg
Luxembourg
0 – 2
0 – 5
World Cup 2006 Qualifying

8
4 June 2005
Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
Slovakia
2 – 0
2 – 0
World Cup 2006 Qualifying

9
8 June 2005
A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia
Estonia
0 – 1
0 – 1
World Cup 2006 Qualifying

10
1 March 2006
LTU Arena, Düsseldorf, Germany
Saudi Arabia
0 – 1
0 – 3
Friendly

11
1 March 2006
LTU Arena, Düsseldorf, Germany
Saudi Arabia
0 – 3
0 – 3
Friendly

12
17 June 2006
Waldstadion, Frankfurt, Germany
Iran
2 – 0
2 – 0
World Cup 2006

13
7 October 2006
Estádio do Bessa, Porto, Portugal
Azerbaijan
1 – 0
3 – 0
Euro 2008 Qualifying

14
7 October 2006
Estádio do Bessa, Porto, Portugal
Azerbaijan
3 – 0
3 – 0
Euro 2008 Qualifying

15
15 November 2006
Estádio Cidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Kazakhstan
2 – 0
3 – 0
Euro 2008 Qualifying

16
24 March 2007
Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal
Belgium
2 – 0
4 – 0
Euro 2008 Qualifying

17
24 March 2007
Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal
Belgium
4 – 0
4 – 0
Euro 2008 Qualifying

18
22 August 2007
Hanrapetakan Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia
Armenia
0 – 1
1 – 1
Euro 2008 Qualifying

19
8 September 2007
Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
Poland
2 – 1
2 – 2
Euro 2008 Qualifying

20
17 October 2007
Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
0 – 2
1 – 2
Euro 2008 Qualifying

21
11 June 2008
Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
Czech Republic
1 – 2
1 – 3
Euro 2008

INTERNATIONAL CAREER

Ronaldo had previously played for Portugal at the 2002 UEFA European Under-17 Championship and at the U18 and U21 level. He eventually made his full international debut in August 2003, coming on in the second half of a 1-0 victory against Kazakhstan. Ronaldo scored Portugal's only goal in their 2-1 loss to Greece in the opening match of Euro 2004 and the first goal of the semi final against the Netherlands, which Portugal won 2-1. The final saw a rematch of the opening game of the tournament, with Greece once again emerging victorious. Even though Ronaldo could not add to his two goals, his performances at the tournament earned him a place in the team of the tournament.
Ronaldo subsequently represented Portugal at the 2004 Summer Olympics, and was the second highest scorer in FIFA World Cup qualification in the European zone with 7 goals.
Ronaldo scored his first World Cup goal against Iran with a penalty kick. In the Round of 16, he left Portugal's 1-0 win over Netherlands injured after a high tackle by Khalid Boulahrouz. However, he returned in the next match in the quarter - final against England.
Ronaldo was named the national team captain for the first time in a friendly match against Brazil on February 6, 2007, a day after his 22nd birthday. This move was in honour of the Portuguese Football Federation president, Carlos Silva, who had died two days before. Scolari explained, "Mr. Silva asked me to make him captain as a gesture. He thought the English fans would give him a difficult time and this was a response. He is too young to be captain but Mr. Silva asked me and now he is no longer with us."
Ronaldo scored a total of 8 goals in Portugal's UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. On June 11, 2008, he scored the second goal for Portugal and provided an assist for the third goal scored by Ricardo Quaresma against the Czech Republic in Geneva, during the Group stages of UEFA Euro 2008 which ensured Portugal's qualification into the quarter finals of the competition. And in the 1/8 final against Germany, he performed well and created an assist for Nuno Gomes, but failed to save his team from being knocked out by Germany.

2006 FIFA World Cup incident

On 8 July 2006, after the sending off of United team-mate Wayne Rooney for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho in the Quarter Final of the 2006 World Cup between England and Portugal, there was much speculation in the English media that he had influenced Rooney's red card by complaining aggressively to referee Horacio Elizondo. He was also seen in replays winking to the Portuguese bench after Rooney's dismissal. Ronaldo has said that Rooney was a friend, and that he was not trying to get Rooney a red card. Rooney said, "I bear no ill feeling to Cristiano but am disappointed that he chose to get involved. I suppose I do, though, have to remember that on that particular occasion we were not team-mates." However, on 4 July, Elizondo told The Times that the red card was due to the stamp on Carvalho, and not the scuffle afterwards. He said "It was violent play and therefore he got a red card. People can say what they want (about Ronaldo) but this had absolutely no influence. For me it was a clear red card, so I didn't react to the Portuguese players."
The Sun published a dart board with a picture of Ronaldo as the bull's-eye in a similar fashion to the one made after the 1998 World Cup for David Beckham by The Daily Mirror, another English tabloid. The angry reaction in England caused Ronaldo to consider leaving United. After the incident, he told reporters that he thought he "should get out of Manchester as the circumstances are not right to keep playing there". He allegedly told the Spanish sports daily Marca that he wished to move to Real Madrid.
In response to the speculation, Sir Alex Ferguson sent his assistant manager Carlos Queiroz to speak to Ronaldo in Portugal, hoping to change the young player's mind, whilst Rooney pleaded with Ronaldo not to leave the team. Ronaldo chose to stay on at United and signed a new five-year contract months later.
Ronaldo was booed by French and English fans during Portugal's semi-final defeat against France, and missed out on the tournament's Best Young Player award, due to an e-mail campaign against him by England fans. Though the online vote only affected the nomination process, FIFA Technical Study Group awarded the honours to Germany's Lukas Podolski, citing Ronaldo's behaviour as a factor.

More About 'Ronaldo'

Full Name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveironot christina and christiano
Date of Birth: 5th of February 1985 (Monday)
Place of Birth: Funchal (Madeira island, Portugal)
Nationality: Portuguese
Marital Status: Single
Height: 1.84m
Weight: 78.00kg
City of Birth: Madeira
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Ox
Favourite Colour: White
Childhood Nickname: Kluivert (from Patrick Kluivert)
Childhood Team: Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Childhood Hero: Maradona
Current Heroes: Luis Figo and Thierry Henry
Person you`d most like to meet: Mike Tyson
Favourite Movie star: Jean Claude Vandamme
Favourite Movies: "The Sixth Sense" and "The Rock"
Favourite Actress: Angelina Jolie
Favourite Charlie`s Angel: Drew Barrymore
Favourite Music: Dance Music
Favourite meal: "Bacalhau a Braz"(a Portuguese cod fish, made with potatoes and scrambled eggs)
Drink: "Santal" (Regional fruit drink)
Hobbies: Going for walks, going to the cinema, listening to music and sometimes just spending time alone.

Biography

Cristiano Ronaldo started playing competitive football at 8-year-old for amateur club Andorinha, and then for local team CD Nacional when he was 10. He then move to one of Portugal’s largest football clubs, Sporting Lisbon in 1996.

Ronaldo trained in the youth team before playing his first senior game for Sporting in 1999 against Moreirense, and scored a double on his debut.

Ronaldo played for Portugal’s youth side in the UEFA U-17 Championships and drew attention internationally. Liverpool under manager Gérard Houllier back then was reported to have interest in signing Ronaldo, but it was Manchester United that made the move in 2003 to fill the void of departed David Beckham.

Ronaldo’s signature came after Sporting Lisbon beat Manchester United 3–1 in a friendly; on the way back to England the United players spoke enthusiastically about the young winger and suggested manager Sir Alex Ferguson to secure his signature, which they did.

Ronaldo made his memorable debut for Manchester United as a substitute against Bolton. His 30 minutes performances created hype with United fans and the English media with his dazzling dribbles.

Ronaldo’s first two seasons at United received mixed reviews; despite praised for his skills, Ronaldo was often being criticized for lack of consistency and poor decision making on the field. However his consistency level has been greatly since the 2006/2007 season, which saw him becoming one of the best player in EPL.

Cristiano Ronaldo made his senior debut for Portugal shortly after being signed by United in a match against Kazakhstan in August 2003. He has become one of the key players for Portugal since then.

The controversial moment of Ronaldo’s career was in World Cup 2006, where he was alleged to influence referee to send off his Manchester United team mate and England striker Wayne Rooney in their quarter finals clash.

Ronaldo was being used as the scapegoat for England’s defeat in the World Cup and the hatred towards him had prompted his intention to leave England and Manchester United. In the end United managed to keep him, and Ronaldo had a wonderful season in the Premiership against all odds.

Ronaldo won both the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year Award in 2007. He is the first player since 1977 to bag the double in the same season. Ronaldo was also voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association for the same year.

Ronaldo’s performance was crucial to help Manchester United securing their first Premiership title in 4 years in the 2006/2007 season.

Ronaldo was the top 3 finalists for both the FIFA World Player of the Year and European Player of the Year awards in 2007. The eventual winner however went to AC Milan’s Brazilian playmaker, Kaka instead.

Ronaldo continued his fine form in the 2007/2008 season, netted in 40 goals in all competition (31 in Premier League), and was again voted as the PFA Player of The Year and Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year. His performance contributed to United’s double for the season; winning the Premiership in succession as well as bringing home the UEFA Champions League trophy.

Cristiano Ronaldo has surgery on right ankle

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo had surgery performed on his right ankle at a hospital in Amsterdam on Monday morning.
"The surgery went well and he is expected to go home tomorrow," hospital spokesman Johan Kortenray said.
No further details on the operation or a timetable for the winger's return were provided but Manchester United was expected to release a statement on Monday.
The new Premier League campaign begins in mid-August.
After Portugal was eliminated by Germany in the quarter-finals of last month's European Championship, Ronaldo revealed that he had played through pain on the ankle for the last three months.
He elected to travel to the Academic Medical Center on Sunday night to see surgeon Niek van Dijk.

It's unknown when Cristiano Ronaldo will return to action after he underwent ankle surgery on Monday. (Ivan Sekretarev/Associated Press)

All About Cristiano Ronaldo

Private life



Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born to Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and José Dinis Aveiro. The second given name, "Ronaldo," was chosen after Ronald Reagan, his father's favourite actor and U.S. president at the time. He has one older brother, Hugo, and two older sisters, Elma and Liliana Cátia. Liliana Cátia works as a singer by the stage name "Ronalda" in Portugal.



Career

Early career



He began kicking a football when he was three, and when he started primary school at age six, his passion for the sport was obvious. His favourite boyhood team was SL Benfica even though he would later join their rival, Sporting. He first played for an amateur team, Andorinha, where his father was the kit man, when he was just eight years old. By 1995, at just ten years of age, Cristiano Ronaldo's reputation was growing in Portugal. Madeira's top two teams, CS Marítimo and CD Nacional were both interested in signing him. Marítimo, the bigger team, missed a crucial meeting with Rui Santos, Ronaldo's manager at Andorinha, and as a result, Ronaldo signed for Nacional. After a title-winning campaign at Nacional, Ronaldo went on a three day trial with Sporting who subsequently signed him for an undisclosed sum.



Sporting Clube de Portugal


Ronaldo joined Sporting's other youth players who trained at the Alcochete, the club's "football factory," where he received first-class instruction. In his first few months in Lisbon, he had to defend himself from the rest of the local players as they had taunted him over his Madeiran accent. A growth spurt had also obstructed his progress at the club. However, Ronaldo eventually went on to become the only player in Sporting’s history to play for the Under-16, Under-17, Under-18, B team and first-team within a season. Sporting realised that Ronaldo needed more support and arranged for his mother to join him. He scored two goals on his Sporting debut against Moreirense. He also featured for Portugal in the UEFA Under 17 Championships.
His performances at the UEFA Under 17 championship drew him to the attention of the wider football world. He was first spotted by former Liverpool F.C. manager Gérard Houllier at the age of 16. However, Liverpool later declined him because he was too young and needed some time to develop into a top footballer. However, he came to the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer of 2003, when Sporting beat Manchester United 3-1 in the inauguration of the Alvalade XXI stadium in Lisbon. Ronaldo demonstrated his ability to play on both wings. His performance in the match impressed the Manchester United players, who spoke to their manager about a possible transfer bid for Ronaldo.



Approach by Real Madrid


On June 5, 2008, Ronaldo declared his desire to move to Real Madrid if they still offered the same amount of money as stated earlier in the year. He also said he will speak more of the situation but not until after Euro 2008. On June 9, 2008, Manchester United filed an official complaint with FIFA over Real Madrid's interest in signing Ronaldo, which FIFA decided to take no action over. On June 21, 2008, Ronaldo spoke for the first time during Euro 2008 about his desire to move to Real Madrid. He also claimed that it is his personal dream to be the best player in the world, and he feels that a move to Real Madrid is a step forward.
On June 22, 2008, Real Madrid manager Bernd Schuster told German television station DSF, "For such a player, we will pay what is necessary because what counts for us is to win the Champions League", and “We won't get him for any less (than €100 million)" But on June 24, 2008, club president Ramon Calderon, said, "There is no 'Cristiano Ronaldo case' because Manchester do not want to sell, In any case, Real Madrid will never pay €100 million euros for anybody".



Manchester United
Ferguson decided that he wanted Ronaldo for his team, who were in the market for a right-sided midfielder with the departure of David Beckham to Real Madrid; Ronaldo was signed for a fee of £12.24 million, becoming the club's first ever Portuguese player. Ronaldo was handed the number 7 shirt on his arrival, a shirt number that has belonged to some of the greatest Manchester United legends, such as George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and David Beckham. Ronaldo initially asked for the number 28 which he wore at Sporting, as he did not want the pressure of living up to the expectation linked to the number 7 shirt. "After I joined, the manager asked me what number I'd like. I said 28. But Ferguson said 'no, you're going to have No. 7' and the famous shirt was an extra source of motivation. I was forced to live up to such an honour".

Ronaldo playing for Manchester United
Ronaldo made his debut for Manchester United as a 60th minute substitute against Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford, a 4-0 Manchester United win. On 29 October 2005, Ronaldo scored Manchester United's 1000th Premier League goal, in a 4-1 loss at the hands of Middlesbrough. He bagged a double double in February, with two goals at home to Fulham and another pair at Fratton Park, and also scored in the following Premier League game against Wigan taking his tally to 8 Premier League goals. On 26 February 2006, Ronaldo played in the Carling Cup Final against Wigan in the Millennium Stadium at Cardiff, and scored a goal - taking his season's tally to 10 goals. He was named FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year 2005, the only award to be voted for by fans. He received the same accolade the following year in 2006. He was also ranked 20th in the FIFA Player of the Year 2005 standings.
In 2006, a row between him and Ruud van Nistelrooy at the Carrington training ground intensified speculation about their roles at the club. However, Ronaldo signed a new deal with United that would last until 2010. Ronaldo said of the deal, "United have stood by me and been there for me and I want to repay that".
Despite the World Cup incident, Ronaldo remained popular with the Manchester United faithful when he played (and scored) in his first Premier League match since the 2006 World Cup. Manchester United fans could clearly be heard chanting "there's only one Ronaldo" at various points in the game, in a 5-1 win over Fulham F.C.. He won the Barclays Player of the Month for November 2006. By December 2006, Ronaldo had become one of United's most influential players, scoring six goals in three league games to bring his overall tally up to 12 goals. He came on at half-time as a substitute against Wigan Athletic and immediately stamped his influence on the match with 2 goals in the space of a few minutes. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson concedes he would lose his wager with the Portuguese in his current form after setting a target of 15 goals for the season. The Scot remarked that he was "pleased for him because he works hard at his game. He's still learning the game. His ability to pass the ball has helped him this season. His passing has been very good. That just shows he is maturing. He's been fantastic, and he's getting better all the time". In December, he was awarded the Barclays Player of the Month Award for the second successive month, becoming the third ever player in the Premier League to do so (after Arsenal's Dennis Bergkamp in 1997 and Robbie Fowler in 1996). Ronaldo scored his 50th goal for Manchester United in the game against arch-rivals Manchester City which turned out to be the decisive goal which helped Manchester United claim the Premier League title for the first time in 4 years.
As the end of each season approached, particularly in 2006 and 2007, it became traditional for rumours to start floating that Ronaldo was unsettled at Manchester United and wanted to play for Real Madrid - the rumours frequently originating from the board of Real Madrid who were reported in April 2007 to be willing to pay an unprecedented €80 million (£54 million) for Ronaldo. At the beginning of March 2007, however, Ronaldo, as well as Manchester United, confirmed that they would be negotiating an extension to his current contract. On 13 April 2007, Ronaldo signed a five-year, £120,000-a-week deal with United, making him the highest-paid player in United's history. He said, "I am very happy at the club and I want to win trophies and hopefully we will do that this season".
During the 2006-07 season, Ronaldo won the PFA Players' Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year awards. He received the two awards during a ceremony on the 22nd of April, 2007. In addition to winning the two awards (an accomplishment that has only been matched once - in 1977 by Andy Gray), Ronaldo was also named a member of the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, alongside seven of his fellow Manchester United teammates. On 24 April 2007, Ronaldo completed the treble by winning the PFA Fans' Player of the Year, an award which is given by winning the most votes from fans all over the United Kingdom. In addition, he was awarded the 2007 Portuguese Footballer of the Year, and at the beginning of May 2007 Ronaldo was also awarded the Football Writers' Association Award. He also received two awards from the club itself, the Player of the Year award, and the Fans' Player of the Year award.
The 2006-07 was tainted with several diving incidents. During a match with Middlesbrough F.C., he was criticised for diving by rival manager Gareth Southgate.[26] On 4 February 2007, in a match against Tottenham Hotspur F.C., Ronaldo was caught in yet another diving controversy, after winning United a controversial penalty despite seeming to receive little or no contact from Tottenham's Steed Malbranque.[27]
Ronaldo has occasionally had problems with his temper during games. He was sent off in a game against Manchester City and received a one-match ban imposed by UEFA for a "one-fingered gesture" towards Benfica fans in a UEFA Champions League match in December 2005.[28] While playing for Portugal in a friendly against Luxembourg he was given a yellow card for pushing Jeff Strasser in the throat in retaliation after Strasser tackled him. Felipe Scolari warned Ronaldo to keep his temper in check during the World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for an alleged headbutt of Portsmouth player Richard Hughes during United's second match of the 2007-08 season, and was therefore banned for the subsequent three games. After the match, Sir Alex Ferguson claimed that Ronaldo had "fallen into the trap". Ronaldo said he had "learned a lot" from the experience and would not let players "provoke" him in future.
Ronaldo's 2007-08 season started badly with the sending off at Portsmouth. However, in his first game following the ban Ronaldo scored the only goal in the 60th minute of a Champions League away game against Sporting Lisbon on return to his old club. He was given a standing ovation by the Sporting supporters for his muted celebrations following the goal. Following this match, Ronaldo has kept his goalscoring boots on in the away fixture against Birmingham City F.C. The goalscoring continued with a brace against Wigan Athletic F.C. Ronaldo contributed three goals in both the home and away fixtures against Dynamo Kiev, a goal against Arsenal F.C. and another brace against Blackburn Rovers. An injury time winner, coming from a free-kick in the home fixture against Sporting Lisbon led Manchester United to the top of the group in the UEFA Champions League. On December 2, 2007, Ronaldo was officially announced as the runner up in the European Footballer of the Year standings, finishing behind the winner, Kaka, with 277 points. Ronaldo scored a match-winning double against Fulham F.C., one of which included a memorable volley. He had also been booked for diving by referee Rob Styles when he went down under a challenge from Fulham's goalkeeper, Antti Niemi. Sir Alex Ferguson had claimed that it "His reputation from years ago is still playing on the minds of referees. It was a ridiculous decision." In addition to his two late penalties in the home fixtures against Derby County F.C. and Everton F.C. , he scored a free-kick just before half-time against Sunderland A.F.C.. On December 17 2007, it was officially announced that Ronaldo came in third in the FIFA World Player of the Year awards, finishing behind Kaká and Lionel Messi. In a 2-1 defeat in the away fixture against West Ham United F.C., Ronaldo scored in the match but missed a penalty.
Ronaldo scored his first hat trick for Manchester United, in the 6-0 win against Newcastle United at Old Trafford on 12 January 2008, bringing Manchester United up to the top of English Premier League table. He scored with a free kick in the 49th minute and went on to score twice more in the 70th and 88th minutes of the match. The very next game, he scored the second goal in the 2-0 win against Reading on 19 January 2008, bringing his goal tally to 23, equalling his tally for the whole of the 2006/2007 season. UEFA have been urged to investigate an incident before and during the 1-1 draw against Olympique Lyonnais in the UEFA Champions League on February 20, 2008 where Ronaldo and United team mate Nani were targeted by opposition fans shining potentially hazardous lasers at the players during the warm up and the match itself.
On March 19, 2008, Ronaldo eclipsed George Best's 40-year-old United record of the most goals scored by a midfielder in one season. Best had scored 32 times in the 1967-68 season. In a Premier League match against Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford, Ronaldo was captain for Manchester United for the first time in his career in England; while donning the captain's arm band, Ronaldo scored both goals in a 2-0 win for United. On April 9, 2008, it was reported that Real Madrid have decided to offer Manchester United a world-record £100million for Cristiano Ronaldo, a fee which was later turned down by the club.On May 11, 2008, Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot against Wigan Athletic in the 33rd minute, taking Ronaldo's season tally to 41 goals, 31 of those in the Premier League. Ronaldo then scored Manchester United's only goal in normal time in the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final, to bring his season tally to 42 goals, falling short of Ruud van Nistelrooij's tally of 44 goals in a season which he did back in 2002/2003, by just 2 goals.
Ronaldo won the 2007-2008 European Golden Shoe, the award for the European top goal scorer, with an 8-point lead ahead of second-placed Dani Güiza. He is the first winger to receive this award.