Cristiano Ronaldo Ruled out for Portugal’s World Cup Qualifier against Bosnia?

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz is interested to get the service of his captain Cristiano Ronaldo for the upcoming world cup 2010 qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina on 14 November. However, the problem is that Ronaldo is currently out of action and has not been playing for his club Real Madrid for the last few weeks including yesterday’s 3-2 derby win against Atletico Madrid.

Ronaldo is now sidelined with a right ankle injury. Jorge Valdano, the sporting director of Real Madrid, has said that the winger can not take part in Portugal’s world cup qualifying match as the injury is very serious. He has also added that Ronaldo would need at least another 2 weeks to come back in action. Now, let us see if Ronaldo can make a quick recovery to help his country qualify for the 2010 world cup football.

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Goal.com

Cristiano Ronaldo: I am not the Savior of Real Madrid

Real Madrid stepped into Summer transfer window with bucket full of money and spent it recklessly by signing some of today’s best players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Benzema, Xabi Alonso and some others. However, the Los Merengues could not yet show the kind of performance fans are expecting from them. Real’s expenditure of 250 million euros has not been reflected in their performance so far this season.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who broke the world transfer record while joining Real Madrid from Manchester United, has already scored 9 goals from 7 games, but is currently out of action with an ankle injury. Since then, the club has been struggling on the field and pressure is mounting on them at this moment.

However, the Portuguese winger believes that the condition will improve soon. He does not believe that his absence is causing problem for the club, stating that he is not the savior of the club. Rather, Ronaldo believes that he is a player who can only help his team to win. The player also thinks that a club like Real Madrid is also used to it. He has asked Real Madrid fans to hold their patience.

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The Canadian Press

Cristiano Ronaldo to be Sidelined for Four Weeks Now

Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has taken another blow to his already injured ankle while representing his country in a very important world cup qualifier against Hungary in the midweek. Ronaldo picked up the ankle injury during Real Madrid’s recent victory over Olympique Marseille in Champions League group stage and missed Real’s 2-1 defeat at Sevilla. So, his availability for Portugal’s encounter against Hungary was uncertain following the injury.

Jorge Valdano, director general of Real Madrid, has said that Ronaldo should not have played the game against Hungary, given that he was not in the right shape. Eventually, he has now aggravated the injury. Meanwhile, Ronaldo himself has said that he felt good before the game, even though he was feeling a bit of discomfort.

Meanwhile, Souleymane Diawara, the defender of Marseille, whose hard tackle was responsible for Ronaldo’s injury, has apologized for what he did and is now hopeful that Ronaldo would recover the injury very soon. Now, let us see if Cristiano Ronaldo can make a quick recovery.

Cristiano Ronaldo Now Showing his Class at Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s record-breaking Summer signing Cristiano Ronaldo has not taken much time to get his rhythm back at Madrid. The winger has already scored 5 league goals, scoring in all the four games Real Madrid played so far in the league this season. With 5 goals, Ronaldo is now jointly topping the highest scorers’ list alongside Lionel Messi and David Villa. Moreover, the Portugal international also scored two goals in Real Madrid Champions League opener against Zurich, and thus, taking is Real Madrid goal tally to 7 from 5 games in all competitions. Ronaldo is also very much delighted with his scoring form at his new club.

New York Times reported:

“Things are turning out well for me, especially in the opening minutes,” he was quoted as saying by sports daily Marca on Thursday. “I’m happy and I feel good but what’s most important is to help and keep winning.”

Ronaldo and Kaka scored in Real’s recent 2-0 win over Villarreal last Wednesday. Real fans are also very happy that another big money signing Kaka has also opening his scoring book in the match after joining Bernabue from AC Milan in Summer 2009 transfer window.

Gary Lineker: Cristiano Ronaldo could have Won Champions League at Old Trafford This Season

Former English great Gary Lineker has said that Cristiano Ronaldo could have won Champions league, if he stayed at Manchester Untied this season. He believes that Real Madrid defense line up is not up to the mark and this is where their opponents would like to exploit.

Real Madrid spent huge sum of money in Summer 2009 to sign a number of star players like Ronaldo and Kaka. They also signed two former Liverpool defenders Raul Albiol and Alvaro Arbeloa. However, Linekar still believes that Real defense lack depth.

Well, I also agree with Linekar on this regard. Even though they spent huge amount in the summer, Real Madrid should have brought some good defenders. Raul Albiol and Alvaro Arbeloa are talented, but the two are yet to make their presence felt in the squad. In their champions league opener, Real Madrid won over Zurich in the midweek. Both the goals they conceded in the game were evident of their defense problem. Linekar backs his former club Barcelona to defend their champions league title this season as he believes that the Catalans have a balanced squad.

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extrafootie

Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka: Two Mighty Signings for Real Madrid

Economic recession has not got over yet. Still, Real Madrid dared to spend about $250 million only on two players: Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka- in the summer. Time has not come yet to evaluate their performance and justify the two movies. However, one thing is for sure that no other club in the world could have gone that far to spend such a huge amount only on two players at the time of the economic recession, regardless of the fact how much they really deserve it.

Spending big amount is a trademark for the current Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, who is currently in his third spell at Madrid hot seat. He did the same in his previous two terms brining in some of world’s best players like Figo, Zidane, Beckham, Ronaldo (Brazil) and many other star players. The main objective was to make some quick cash in by capitalizing on the starry image of the likes of Zidane, Figo, Beckham and others.

Well, it is true that he brought a considerable financial success for the club, but in terms of performance, Real Madrid was not very dominant. It is true that Real Madrid won some trophies both in Spain and Europe, but towards the end of Perez’s second spell, Real started showing poor performance, and thus, the pressure was mounting on the star players.

So, in the long run, I do not believe that Real Madrid’s current approach of signing big players and bringing success would work well. For sustainable success, you need to have a strong and effective youth policy (like Arsenal), and if you look at the Real Madrid youth side, you can see that their youth system could not yet produce any world class player after the current goal-keeper Iker Casillas.

So, I think, Real Madrid needs to have a productive approach towards sustainable success; rather than short term glory. It is true that Real Madrid may get some strong success this season or in the coming seasons, but after that would come another spell of some poor seasons because there is no productive approach in their youth policy.

Cristiano Ronaldo Staying at Manchester United?

(This entry was originally published on Saturday, January 3rd, 2009)

Cristiano Ronaldo is perhaps the no. 1 football in the world today. He plays for Manchester United and he is the striker in form for the club. You can not think of any other striker who can compete with him in influencing the team and also scoring goals. So, he is admired by the fans at United. However, he was eager to leave England and go to Real Madrid. Now, it seems that he has changed his mind and he wants to stay at Manchester United and he thinks that this is his gift for manager Sir Alex Ferguson and supporters of the club. Well, you can not be sure about top players like Ronaldo because they can change their time any time. Now, let us see what happens next.

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The Star

Real Madrid Director General Jorge Valdano on the Club’s Spending Spree

Real Madrid has been in a spending spree since Florentino Pérez became the club president for the third time. He now seems to follow big-signing approach, which he followed during his first two terms as Real Madrid president, in order to make a star-studded squad. This approach worked very well during his first team as the club president, but the club failed to perform at the same level towards the end of his second term which eventually led him to step down as Real Madrid president in 2006.

Real Madrid has already signed two super stars of today’s football: Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo. Real Madrid needed to spend 93 and 65 million euros to get the service of Ronaldo, who is world’s no. 1 player at this moment, and Kaka respectively. Moreover, Real Madrid is now very close to secure young French striker Karim Benzema. The club is still eyeing on Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso and Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribéry.

Real Madrid faced some criticism from Spanish government for their spending spree amid the global economic recession. UEFA president Michel Platini thinks that Real Madrid’s spending nature is not normal and it could be a threat for the financial balance in the European league competitions.

However, Jorge Valdano, the director general of Real Madrid, thinks that Real Madrid can afford to go for such big money signings because the Spanish club is world’s richest club at this moment. He thinks that the club makes huge sum of profit and that is why, it has the ability to buy the service of many star players.

Well, there is a financial advantage of signing star players. Real Madrid experienced this advantage during Pérez’s first two terms as the club president because Real Madrid became the world’s richest club in 2005 by selling t-shirts of those star players as well as souvenirs. The signing of Kaka could reportedly generate 100 million dollars extra for Real Madrid.

Real Madrid fans would like to see success on the field. They would not like to know how much money the club generates per year. In terms of on-field performance, Real Madrid was really miserable last season and they would now like to see silverware at Bernabeu. Now, let us see if the newly signed stars can bring out success at the club.

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inquirer

Christoph Metzelder: No Justification for £80m Move for Cristiano Ronaldo

You already know that Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo is about to join Spanish giant Real Madrid who has reportedly made a record-breaking £80m bid for the world’s best player. Well, it is also noteworthy that Real Madrid has signed Brazilian star Kaka on a record transfer fee just last week. There are many who do not support Real’s spending spree at a time when some other major European clubs like Liverpool, Valencia are facing financial crisis amid the ongoing economic recession.

Real Madrid’s German defender Christoph Metzelder has become the first player from Bernabeu camp to raise his voice against Real Madrid’s current spending spree during global economic slowdown. Terming the Ronaldo move incorrect, Metzelder said, a player could go through a bad phase of time or could injured as well. That is why, he does not see any justification behind £80 million move for Ronaldo.

Well, I also agree with Metzelder on this regard. Real even took bank loan to support their aggressive spending nature which can not be justified during the current global economic downturn. Real may bring out some immediate success with such a squad, but I do not think it would be good for the club in the long run.

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Daily Mail

Cristiano Ronaldo Joined Real Madrid for Record $131 Transfer Fee

Just a day after the announcement of Real Madrid signing Kaka for a record transfer fee came out, now Real Madrid has broken its own record by signing world’s best footballer Christiano Ronaldo for a whopping $131 million. Reports available in the media suggests that Manchester United has accepted an offer worth $131 million from Real Madrid for the Portuguese winger and Ronaldo is now a Real Madrid player.

Well, it has been reported that Real Madrid has had a pre-contract with Manchester United for Ronaldo and by this contract, Real Madrid must confirm the deal by June 30. Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon, whom Florentino Perez succeeded recently, claimed many times that the Portugal international would join Real Madrid and he had worked on his deal during his time at the club. However, the current president Florentino Perez was not very happy with the fee decided for the player and wanted to renegotiate with the English club.

Recently, Real Madrid sent a representative and a doctor to Los Angles, USA to meet Cristiano Ronaldo who is now recovering from his hernia injury. It has also been reported that Real Madrid would pay Ronaldo $400,000 per week, and thus, making him the highest paid player alongside Kaka at Real Madrid.

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Herald Sun

Cristiano Ronaldo to be in Manchester United after Real Madrid backs Off

Cristiano Ronaldo is surely one of the top three players in the world now. And There is no debate about it. That is why Real Madrid was after him for a long long time. Now, it seems that the Spanish club has understood Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale and they should not waste any more time in pursuing him. I’m happy that Real Madrid officials have at last realize the reality and they can now perhaps they could be a time in getting another player in the level of Cristiano Ronaldo. This news should come to as a sigh of relief to the Manchester united supporters. They can now feel relaxed and watch the next game in a happy mood.

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Canadian Press

Manchester United Reacts to Sepp Blatter’s Remark on Ronaldo Issue

Speculation over Cristiano Ronaldo’s link with Read Madrid has now become a major issue in world football. Recently in a television interview FIFA president Sepp Blatter also talked about this issue. Terming it a modern slavery, Mr. Blatter asked Manchester United to let Ronaldo leave the club. Naturally, Manchester United is not happy with the remarks made by the FIFA president and a spokesperson of Manchester United recently reacted strongly on this regard. The spokesperson claims that Manchester United includes players through an open and free negotiation.

FIFA president also indicated that from now on FIFA would intervene in player transfer issues. However, UEFA has strongly criticized Mr. Blatter for his remark on the Ronaldo issue. The Portuguese star is currently under contract with Manchester United and was in an excellent form last season becoming highest scorer in English Premier League. Spanish club Real Madrid is interested to get Cristiano Ronaldo for the next season, while Manchester United is adamant to keep the winger at Old Trafford. However, Cristiano Ronaldo’s stand on this issue remains in the dark, except some mixed expressions coming into media several times.

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Times Online

Euro 2008: Cristiano Ronaldo Not Hampered by Manchester-Real Conflict

With Euro 2008 beginning on 7^th June, it is now quite a big question that who are going to impress the fans in the tournament. If it comes to individual, I think, Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo comes in the forefront of everybody’s mind. After helping Manchester United winning its third Champions League title, Ronaldo is now the most favorite to win FIFA Player of the Year award this year. However, the Manchester United star is going through a tough time with a spat between Manchester United and Real Madrid. Real Madrid is interested to get Ronaldo for the next season and offered a record transfer fee along with an almost doubled salary for Cristiano Ronaldo. On the other hand, Manchester United is not interested to this deal and wants to keep Ronaldo at Old Trafford. Earlier, a few weeks ago Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his wish to play in Spain in future which gave Real Madrid more ground to make a bold offer. Manchester United already threatened to report to FIFA on Real Madrid over this matter.

Meanwhile, Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said that the conflict between Manchester United and Real Madrid does not touch Ronaldo, claiming that his most valuable player remains clam about this matter. That is what, Portugal fans are wishing too at this moment with Euro 2008 knocking at the door. The Brazilian coach also wants Portugal not to be a one-man team; rather he wants the equal participation in the game. Ronaldo is currently with Portugal’s Euro 2008 squad.

There is no doubt Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best footballers in the world at this moment. Ronaldo scored eight goals in qualifying round which makes him the highest scorer for Portugal in qualifying round of Euro 2008. Portuguese fans are now expecting Cristiano Ronaldo continuing the impressive form in Euro 2008 final.

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Canadian Press

Real Madrid to Continue its Effort to Sign Cristiano Ronaldo

The way Cristiano Ronaldo is playing now, there is no doubt that any team in world will happily include him with the assurance of giving place in the starting line up. Actually, the reality is that Real Madrid, the richest club in the world, is now trying heart and soul to bring the Portuguese star at Bernabeu.

Well, it can not be that much easier for Real Madrid when it comes to the case of a player like Ronaldo. Rumor has it in the air that Real Madrid might offer record-breaking £50 million for Manchester Untied, the second richest club in the world. Money may not be a problem for Manchester Untied, despite the fact that they still have debt and paying a huge amount of interest against it every year.

Christiano Ronaldo has been in an imperious form so far this season with 22 goals from 25 matches for Manchester Untied. He was one of the three nominees for the Fifa World Player of the Year award last year.

Goal.com reported:

Pedja Mijatovic is realistic regarding Ronaldo's situation, but The Sun reports that Real Madrid will always be on standby, waiting for the star man to become in any way available.

“Ronaldo is an exceptional footballer and, although we know signing a player like that is very complicated, we will just have to keep working on it," he said.

“If one day a chance opens up, then we will be there trying to sign him. He’d grace any team in the world.”

Real Madrid has the reputation for signing the star players of the world. However, the side is currently undergoing with less stars that it had even a few years ago. It has nto been a long sicne, Zidane, Ronaldo (Brazil), Roberto Carlos, Figo, Raul and some other world’s best players were plying together for Real Madrid.

So, Real Madrid will definitely try to include Cristiano Ronaldo and I would not be surprised to see him playing for Real Madrid even within a few years.