Cristiano proud of season

Cristiano Ronaldo is satisfied with the way he has played since joining Real Madrid last summer.

Expectations could hardly have been higher after the Portugal international moved from Manchester United for a world record-breaking transfer fee of £80million.

Real might finish the season without a major trophy after making a surprise early exit from the UEFA Champions League, while they also trail Barcelona by one point in the Primera Liga with four games to play.

But Ronaldo has reflected with pride on his own personal performances over the course of the campaign, despite spending a period on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

“I am very happy with my season at Real Madrid,” he told the Portuguese press.

“If I had not suffered the injury with a two-month gap this could have been my best year as a professional.

“In a league like Spain it is not easy to start with 20 goals and seven assists.

“After the injury against Marseille I missed 12 matches but with confidence and hard work I have returned to a good level.”

RM 2:1 Zaragoza ; Cristiano made the assists for both goals

RM 2:0 Valencia; Cristiano scored again

Real Madrid took the best of the draw with Barcelona in the Spanish and is now a point of Catalan, Spanish league leaders. The triumph of the team from the capital had the usual suspects show: Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain.

The Argentine first shone. At 25 minutes unlocked the marker, DEPI receiving the ball from Guti. Higuain avoided Albelda and shot to the back of the goal of Caesar. The 1-0 gave no rest to Madrid, because the Valencia tonight without Portuguese reacted and sent a ball to the post by Mata, although there are more opportunities for the home.

In the second half, Cristiano Ronaldo started a first for wasting time, but even after David Silva had fired a bomb to the iron, the Portuguese international scored the same. Noted the 20th goal in the league to 78 minutes and then had another move on goal, but Cesar got the ball.

Thus, the Spanish title race continues to be two: Barcelona and, it seems, Higuain and Ronaldo.

We are still alive

Cristiano Ronaldo talked to several journalists that gathered at a publicity act also attended by Real Madrid Director of Institutional Relations Emilio Butragueño. After the press conference, the player participated in a clinic in which he had to defeat himself in a dribbling and speed trial. A video showed him tackling the course in just 10.49 seconds and he managed to do it again in just 9.33 seconds.

"We are still alive in La Liga. It will be hard to win the title, but we'll keep on trying to the very end. I have faith in our chances."

"It isn't difficult to play for the best team in the world. It is a great challenge for me. I wish to win many titles with Real Madrid. We are all very happy with the coach. I am personally delighted with my team-mates. I don't wish to play with other players, regardless of how talented they may be."

"Portugal has to prepare well. We are confident and anxious for the World Cup to start. It will be difficult to win, but not impossible."

"I was born as a fast runner, but I train very hard every day because I want to be even better. It is pointless to have certain qualities and characteristics if you don't train to exploit them."

RM 2:1 Almería, Cristiano making the 18th goal

Real Madrid returned on Thursday to winning in the game late 32 th day and decreased to the three-point deficit against the Barcelona.

After the home defeat in the Spanish classic, the formation of Manuel Pellegrini not dazzled, but he played enough to get the victory. Cristiano Ronaldo scored again, making the 18th goal, at least nine of the leading scorers, the Argentine Messi.

A great goal, by the way: the Portuguese received the ball thirty yards from goal, took off at speed, went through everybody wrapped up and no chance to Diego Alves. Ronaldo's goal came tie the game after the Almería have scored too early. Real Madrid came in, in fact, false in the game and allowed the home team to go forward on the marker, right on 14 minutes when Crusat finished a cross at the far post that went through everyone in the area meringue.

Ronaldo equalized before the break and has the second part of Van der Vaart gave back to the marker. By the end of the game, incidentally, belonged to the meringues several occasions of play, half of whom were unhappy at Ronaldo, but at the half thanks to a Guti shot isolate Uche and save the victory.

RM 0:2 Barcelona

“I am sure we are going to win”

During today’s press conference, Cristiano Ronaldo said all bets are off when Real Madrid host Barcelona on Saturday.

“This may be the most important match of the season. Whoever wins will hold a slight advantage in the race for the league title, but there are still many matches to be played and we need to try to win all of them.”

“The season is winding down, so whoever wins on Saturday will have a little more confidence than the other team and the opportunity to draw a match. Both teams are very ambitious so no matter what happens we cannot give up. There are a lot of matches left and we have to fight to win every one of them.”

“I am taller and wider than Messi (laughs). He is having a great season and will now and forever be among the best players ever. But the coach and entire team also deserve credit. Messi does not play alone. He has great players by his side. I am working very hard, I am happy and I hope to continue feeling good. I will also be one of the best players around while I play here.”

“Real Madrid’s best asset is their ambition and Barcelona’s is their team spirit. We know how well they play and how difficult they are to beat, but we also have our artillery. We have a good chance of winning as long as we stay focused. I am sure we will play well. That said, I wouldn’t mind losing on Saturday as long as we win the league. What difference is there if we beat Barcelona and then lose the next two matches?”

“I respect Barcelona but I do not fear them. They have a very complete team. I will do my very best, like I do every weekend. I will try to score, assist and help my team in every way possible to beat Barcelona. I am not worried about a thing. I just want to do my best and make a difference. I think it will be a very even match that will be decided by small details. May the best team win. But I hope Real Madrid is the better team. I am sure we will come away with the win.”

“I expect a great atmosphere at the stadium. We feel much more confident when we have the support of our fans. I am sure they will be very excited and that they will help us a lot. The team is excited about the match and we are very confident. We believe in this match because it may just decide the winner of La Liga. We have very high aspirations.”

RM 2:0 Santander

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain scored in a 2-0 victory away to Racing Santander on Sunday to ensure Real Madrid hold top spot in La Liga before next weekend’s visit of title rivals Barcelona.

Ronaldo netted from the penalty spot in the first half and Higuain raced clear to double the lead in the 76th minute, but there was little else of note in a low key game.

“The important thing was to win. It wasn’t brilliant, but we were very solid at the back,” Real coach Manuel Pellegrini told reporters.

Real moved on to 77 points with eight matches left to play, ahead of Barca on goal difference, after the champions swept aside sixth-placed Athletic Bilbao 4-1 on Saturday.

With Real notching up their 12th straight league victory and Barca having only lost once all season, next Saturday’s ’Clasico’ at the Bernabeu is being seen as crucial to the outcome of the title.

The head-to-head record between the sides decides first place if they end up level on points, and Barca hold the edge after a 1-0 win at the Nou Camp in November.

Ronaldo was brought down as he dribbled into the area after 23 minutes at the Sardinero, and the Portuguese forward scored from the ensuing penalty.

Racing, 17th in the 20-team league, offered little in response though youngster Sergio Canales, who has been signed by Real for next season, came closest to levelling when his lob bounced just wide of the post.

Real made sure of the points when Alvaro Arbeloa sent Argentine Higuain through for his 24th league goal, and Guti and Ronaldo both went close to adding to the score in the closing stages.