From the Bernabeu to the Heavens

Twenty-four hours before making their Champions League debuts in the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid’s eight new signings climbed to the top of the Torre Europa in Madrid for an incredible view of the stadium.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Benzema, Xabi Alonso, Albiol, Granero, Arbeloa and Garay are about to discover just how majestic the Bernabeu is when it rolls out the red carpet for the Champions League. These eight players will hear the Champions League anthem for the first time in their new home when Real Madrid host Olympique de Marseille on Wednesday. Eight stars whose only goal is to overcome all the obstacles en route to the 22 May final in their own stadium.

After a 29-story elevator ride and a two story hike, the players made it to the roof of the Torre Europa, where they silently looked out in amazement at the views offered by such a vantage point. "Seeing the Bernabeu from here is absolutely incredible," said Kaka as he snapped a picture with his mobile. "I have never seen anything like it. The view is amazing," added Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Playing the Champions League for Real Madrid is a dream come true," whispered Garay, "Real Madrid will return to where it belongs." Pointing down towards the stadium, Arbeloa commented, "That down there is Real Madrid’s stadium, where 95 percent of footballers dream about playing. It is one of the most special pitches in the world." Benzema has already played on it and didn’t hold back his thoughts. "This is a great team full of talented players. We want to win this title which means so much to everyone," said the Frenchman.

Raul Albiol is "anxious to hear the Champions League anthem and for the match to begin." From another point on the roof, Granero commented, "We have plenty of reasons to be excited. We can do some great things in Europe." "Yes. Of course we can win this Champions League," responded Xabi Alonso.

Players and Madridistas believe it is possible, and half the battle is already won with the talent and excitement generated by the squad. The rest of the road won’t be easy and plenty of obstacles still remain, but from the apex of the Spanish capital and with the stadium at your feet, it is easy to envisage Real Madrid being crowned the champion of Europe at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The making of "Real Madrid's Official photo 09-10" video

RM 3:0 Tenerife

Real Madrid won the Tenerife, with Pepe back to eleven holder, he finished the punishment that was also last season. After a goalless first half, the 'meringues' got the better in the second half, winning 3-0. The 1st 2 goals were scored by Benzema, the 3rd by Kaka.

Cristiano Ronaldo was holding and went to 79 minutes to hear an ovation from the Bernabeu. Kaka and Guti started on the bench, but before the interval was warmed. Would even enter the second half, leaving Sergio Ramos and Granero.

Funy

Cris's 1st interview for Spanish TV

Are you happy in Madrid?

I’m happy in Spain, I’m adapting slowly. I wanted to come here for a long time.
People have helped me a lot in the club.

It seems that you are shy in interviews …

At first I’m a little shy yes. But I’m fine when people around us are good.

How many times have you seen the goal of VilaReal? Is it the best you’ve checked?

I’ve seen it once. It’s one of the best I’ve scored, but not the best.

You clearly have since picked up the ball?

When I started from the midfield, saw the free way and went to shoot on goal. I couldnt think of nothing else.

Why was the bench and dedicated the goal to Raul?

Because before the game he said that I would get a goal and I remembered that.

They will tell you that every game…

Thank God things are going well. We’re winning, scoring goals, especially me, so I have to thank my teammates.

And that was anxiety …

It is normal for people to talk when things do not go. I knew if I was working as in Manchester, little by little, and knew things were going out.

Were you surprised that they boo you in Spain?

I’m used to boobs, are things of football. It just makes want to do things better and help.

The rivals were angry about the taconcito (showboat) …

I understand people, but it’s my way of playing. I play that way since I was a kid and I wont change.

Do you feel the love people?

Yes, specially in Valdebebas. When we leave we note that there are many people and it is difficult to stop the car, but when we do it because we know that they like the Madrid and the players, and that gives us confidence and motivation.

A normal day, can go to lunch or dinner or is that too complicated?

There is time to be home, to leave because not all areas have many people and you pick the best place to go, but I’m used to that sort of thing for some time.

Who is taking penalties? What he went through your head when you scored his first goal against Deportivo?

The mister picked, its Kaka and me. About the goal, I was very happy because it was my first official goal for the club.

Do you like watching Barcelona?

Yes, it’s a very good team with excellent players of quality. It is well tuned, but we will fight them and end of season we will see who is better.

The Golden Ball was won last year you

I was privileged to win it once, I hope to win more often, but I am calm. I’m doing my job and I want to continue.

Do you find good, comfortable, quiet?

Okay. I really liked, it was a pleasure to be here with you.

Cristiano personal Test

Do not be a footballer what would it be?

Do not know.

A virtue?

I’m friends with my friends.

A flaw?

Teimoso. How do you say in Spanish? (The Portuguese, after several attempts, and a few seconds of uncertainty failed to translate it, but we’ll clarify: it means stubborn).

What is the first memory has a ball at his feet?

Joy.

Is your favorite food?

Paella.

“Favorite drink?

Coca Cola, water.

What music do you like?

A bit everything.

What would you erase from your life?

(The Portuguese did not answer and sighed heavily. Must have been a tragic moment of his life would not comment).

What is the happiest moment you remember?

When I signed from Madrid.

Queiroz “or Pellegrini?

How bad you are (laughs). Los dos. The two.

“Raul or Casillas?

The two.

“Messi and Ibrahimovic?

Both.

"La Liga or Champions League?

Both.

“Meat or fish?

Meat.

Wine or beer?

Wine.

Blond or brunette?

Brunette

Are you vain?

Yes, a little.

How many tattoos do you have?

None.

Cris: Scoring increases confidence, but the team comes first

With his first four league matches as a Madridista out of the way, Cristiano Ronaldo is already on top of the league scoring chart and has broken Real Madrid's record for the best start in club history. But in an interview with Spain's Telecinco, Cristiano Ronaldo made it clear that the first priority is always team success.

“The team always comes first. I scored against Villarreal, and scoring increases confidence, but the three points were the main priority.”

“I had a clear path from the midfield and went straight towards the goal. I dedicated it to Raul because before the match he told me I was going to score. Thank God things are going well, and it is all due to my teammates. They are helping me a lot.”

“I knew things would go well. I just needed to be patient and stick to the same plan I had in Manchester. I understand that there are people who do not like what I do on the pitch, but it is just the way I play. That is who I am and I will continue being that person.”

“I am happy in Madrid. I am adjusting little by little. I wanted to come here for some time and the club helped me make it a reality.”

“People wait for us as we leave Valdebebas and I can feel their support. We stop when we can because they want to show us that they stand by us. They motivate us to continue working hard.”

“Barça is a great team and a solid squad. We are going to go head to head all season long, so we'll see who comes out on top.”

RM 2:0 Villarreal, Cris scored and make history

Cristiano Ronaldo entered the history of Real Madrid, who won 2-0 in the field of Villarreal. The jersey holder 9 was the formation of capital and opened the scoring after just two minutes(100 seconds) with a sola run. Real lost in heating Garay, Gago had to come to the eleven at the last minute. but the CR9 began to simplify things.

The Portuguese international was already the top scorer and become the best debut for Real Madrid in the league to make goals in the first four rounds of the championship. A feat that Ibrahimovic had reached the day for Barcelona.

Cristinao Ronaldo scored the first three rounds of Spanish league (apart from a Champion League), but never any player of Real Madrid in the 1st season, was able to score goals in the first four.

The Portuguese winger wasted the oppourtunity. Ronaldo took the ball in midfield, went towards goal and hit against Diego Lopez with a powerful shot and dirty. The 2nd time with Villarreal and reduced to ten men by the expulsion of Gonzalo, in the 35th minute, Kaka raised to 2-0, the making of a penalty.

Cris : very happy

"I'm very happy with the win and also because I am scoring goals," Ronaldo said afterwards, as quoted by AS.

The Portuguese winger scored for the fifth game in succession, to bring his tally for the season to seven in all competitions, thanks to a brilliant solo effort after just two minutes.

A dubious second half spot-kick scored by Kaka completed the victory, and Ronaldo admitted his team were more comfortable with the two goal cushion.

He added, "Villarreal is a tough team at home, but we did it. They had a lot of the ball, but we scored first and in the second half. When Kaka scored, we were a lot more calm."

4 strikes in 3 games, Cris is La Liga's top-scorer

Real Madrid’s match against Xerez left several positive notes. Not only did they net five strikes and top the table with just three games played, but also Cristiano Ronaldo became La Liga’s leading scorer. The Portuguese star is no disappointment and with four strikes leads the fight for the Pichichi Trophy.

Cristiano Ronaldo is meeting with the expectation generated and has scored at least one goal in every official match of the season. He has netted six strikes in four games; one against Deportivo La Coruña and Espanyol, and two against Xerez and Zurich. Tallying four goals, he is La Liga’s top-scorer alongside Valencia’s David Villa. His numbers all the more impressive considering Ronaldo is not playing as centre forward. However, his talent allows him to spell danger for the opponent’s goal anywhere he is positioned. He even won the Golden Boot in 2008 after netting 31 strikes in 34 games.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored goals in every possible way. His first goal came after converting a penalty in Matchday 1. One week later, he beat Espanyol’s keeper Kameni in a one-on-one after a dazzling run on the counter-attack. He then moved on to hammering home two set-pieces in the Champions League’s debut. And last week-end, his first strike of the evening came after a great personal play on the 1-minute mark and his second after heading home a corner-kick.

RM 5:2 Xerez; Cris double again!

Cristiano Ronaldo continued his sensational scoring form as Real Madrid again flattered to deceive before overwhelming bottom club Xerez 5-0 to take top spot in Spain.

Ronaldo netted two more goals, the first after only 45 seconds, to maintain his record of having scored in every game for his new club following his world-record $130 million transfer from Manchester United.

The Portugal forward followed up his brace from the midweek Champions League win in Zurich as he gave Real the perfect start, picking up a loose ball in midfield and firing in a low shot from the right edge of the penalty area.

However, the home fans had to wait another 74 minutes for another goal as Real struggled to break down a side who have yet to win a point in their first season in La Liga.

It was Ronaldo again who finally settled his side's anxiety, rising high to powerfully head home a right-wing corner from substitute Esteban Granero.

That opened the floodgates as three minutes later substitute Guti scored his third goal in three matches -- matching his sum for the whole of last season -- when he drove home a loose ball after Karim Benzema twice fluffed his attempted shots.

Ronaldo made way for Ruud van Nistelrooy after that, with his former United teammate making his first appearance in 10 months due to injury.

Summer signing Benzema finally scored his first goal for Real in the 82nd minute, with his fierce shot taking a slight deflection on its way into the net.

Van Nistelrooy then capped his comeback in the 89th minute when he coolly slotted through the legs of the goalkeeper after being found in space by Guti, putting Manuel Pellegrini's side top of the table on goal difference ahead of defending champions Barcelona, who crushed Atletico Madrid 5-2 on Saturday night.

"I believe I am a good role model"

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo is showing he is worth his hefty $131 million price tag, when he scored 2 goals in Madrid’s 5-2 win against Switzerland’s FC Zurich Sept. 15.

Ronaldo, 24, has been under intense pressure to perform ever since his record-breaking transfer from Manchester United this summer.

The Portuguese international winger has been solid in his initial games this season. On Sept. 12, Cristiano scored a goal in Madrid’s win over Espanyol Barcelona.

Ronaldo, who is the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, has been adjusting to his new football club well and isn’t fazed by all the media scrutiny. When pressed, the intensely private Cristiano says he tries his best to be a good role model.

“I try to behave well on and off the field, although that is not always easy for different reasons,” says Ronaldo. “I try to be good, especially for the children. It is important to grow up with good examples. That is a big responsibility for me. I do believe I am a good role model.”

While the press is obsessed with the single Cristiano’s love life, he insists he tries to stay out of the public eye as much as possible.

“I come under intense media scrutiny so I am very private about the girls I date,” says Ronaldo. “I am a gentleman, and I do not want them to experience the media pressure, which I have learned to ignore. For me, a girl does not need to be famous for me to like her. I do have my romantic moments but I am sensible.”

Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s coach has openly stated that Cristiano has overtaken Brazilian superstar Kaká as the world’s best football player. So what is Ronaldo’s secret for being the best? “I must always step on to the pitch with my right foot first when playing a match,” he says.

Adds Ronaldo: “You can never just relax and think that you have reached your best. You have to keep training hard, improving, learning new things.”

Cris:It's fantastic!

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice on his debut for Real Madrid in the Champions League. Portugese winger was one of the protagnists in the 5-2 win over Zurich and in the end, did not hide satisfaction with the result, leaving praise for captain Raul.

"It's always good to get a win in the group stage, we did so well, because scoring five goals in Europe is never easy," said Ronaldo, after the match. The winger says the team "still evolving" and surrendered to Castro. "It's fantastic!"

The Real coach, Manuel Pellegrini, said the importance of Ronaldo in the team, "demonstrated its weight in the team in every game, and part of that weight is its free. These two goals are a confirmation of what had been doing."

RM 5:2 Zurich; Cris double free kick

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice from free kicks as Real Madrid began their Champions League campaign with a 5-2 win at FC Zurich on Tuesday despite a brave fightback from the rank outsiders.

The nine-times European champion Real Madrid appeared to be cruising when Ronaldo, Raul and Gonzalo Higuain scored in a devastating 18-minute spell before halftime in the Group C game.

Ronaldo converted a free kick in the 27th minute, Raul slid in Higuain's angled shot seven minutes later and Higuain fired in the third in first-half stoppage time.
Zurich, who failed to test keeper Iker Casillas in the first hour, hit back when Xavier Margairaz converted a 64th-minute penalty and Silvan Aegerter headed another from a corner.

Ronaldo scored with a long-range effort in the 89th which slipped through goalkeeper Johnny Leoni's hands before Guti got the fifth in stoppage time.

RM 3:0 Espanyol; Cris goallllllll

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his second goal in as many matches as Real Madrid tuned up for the Champions League with a 3-0 win over Espanyol on Saturday in Spain's La Liga.

Ronaldo converted a penalty kick in a 3-2 win over Deportivo in his Real debut and capped the new-look side's second win in the 90th minute. Esteban Granero and Guti also scored.

Real Madrid opens group play in the Champions League on Tuesday at Switzerland side FC Zurich.

Granero handed Madrid the lead in the 39th, Guti doubled the lead in the 77th, and Ronaldo, who did not start, sealed the convincing win.

Gut set up Ronaldo on the final goal, and the former Manchester United player slotted between Espanyol goalie Carlos Kameni's legs in the first match at new Cornella-El Prat stadium.

Barcelona also continued its perfect start, getting second-half goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi in a 2-0 win over Getafe. Barca, which won the Spanish La Liga and Champions League last season, leads Madrid on goal differential.

Barcelona visits Italian champion Inter Milan on Wednesday to open defense of its Champions League crown.

Also Saturday, Luis Fabiano bagged a double as Sevilla beat Real Zaragoza 4-1, and Oscar Serrano scored and 10-man Racing held on for a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid. Atletico Madrid hosts APOEL and Sevilla hosts Unirea during the week to open the group stage of the Champions League.

On Sunday, Villarreal hosts Mallorca, Sporting Gijon hosts Almeria, Deportivo hosts Malaga, Tenerife hosts Osasuna, Valladolid hosts Valencia, and Xerez hosts Athletic Bilbao.

Portugal 1:1 Hungary, still have a chance

Portugal and world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo still have a chance to make it to next year's World Cup.

Pepe scored in the ninth minute, giving Portugal a 1-0 victory at Hungary on Wednesday night.

"There are still four candidates in the group, because with two more wins any of the teams can reach the World Cup," Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz said.

Portugal (3-1-4) is third on Europe Group One with 13 points, five behind Denmark (5-0-3) and two back of Sweden (4-3-1) but ahead of Hungary (4-3-1) on goal difference.

Portugal closes at home against Hungary on Oct. 10 and Malta four days later, while Denmark finishes at home against Sweden and Hungary. Sweden hosts Albania on Oct. 14.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese team captain, took the victory, this time, arrived in a less bright than the players wanted. "Against Denmark there had thirty opportunities and we could not score. Today we did not play as we should have done a beautiful game, but sometimes you have to play ugly and win and that's what happened. We must continue to dream to qualification. Today, our obligation was to win and we did. The players are happy with that, but there is still a long way to go." he admitted.

Portugal training in Hungary prepare for WCQ

New Castrol EDGE commercial

Portugal 1:1 Denmark; Cris still believe

Cristiano Ronaldo, was disappointed after the match with Denmark referring to sadness by the result because"we have to make better value."

"Sometimes we have attained our goals, sometimes not. The team played well, created chances but miss more goals. We are sad because we know we have to make better value." Asked about the possibility of Portugal going into the South Africa World Cup, the end was clear, "do not depend on us, but we continue to believe."

Portugal training in Denmark prepare for WCQ

Linic Shampoo Adv

Cris with Bolt