GO or STAY ?

Cristiano Ronaldo has made his mind up about his football future, but won't be revealing whether it is with Manchester United or Real Madrid for up to three days.

The Portuguese star, speaking after their 3-2 defeat to Germany in Thursday night's Euro 2008 quarter-final, said he was close to revealing his thinking.

"In two or three days' time I will announce my future because the tournament is over for me," he told the British Press Association.

"I have to speak to Manchester United and we will see. I will talk to them and see what happens. Everyone knows what I want but in the next two or three days you'll have something new."

Ronaldo told reporters the "possibilities" of going to Real Madrid were "great," but that it did not "always depend on me."

"I have many desires and in the next few days they will become clear."

He also revealed to the French newspaper L'Equipe that he was to undergo foot surgery for a minor problem.

"It is now three months I have played with this little foot problem."

United released a statement Friday reiterating that Ronaldo was not for sale.

"United are not listening to offers... the 23-year-old United star is not for sale,'" the statement said.

The winger has been the source of heated speculation about his future at Manchester United for months, with Real Madrid making clear they want to sign him at any cost.

United made a formal complaint to FIFA about Real Madrid's interest last week, but football's governing body said no regulations had been broken.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has criticized Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon and coach Bernd Schuster for what he considers heavy-handed tactics and use of the Spanish media to unsettle players.

The trigger for the protest was believed to have been Calderon's comments earlier this month about his "pride" and "honor" that Ronaldo wants to play for his club.

The 23-year-old Ronaldo scored 42 goals in helping Manchester United win both the English and European titles last season.

Portugal 2:3 Germany in quarter-fianl

Germany progressed to the semi-finals of the UEFA European Championship for the first time since 1996 as goals from Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack secured a 3-2 victory over Portugal in Basel.

Heads, you win
The Mannschaft ended up lifting the Henri Delaunay trophy that year and the way they raised their game to meet the challenge of a Portugal side that refused to lie down – halving a two-goal deficit twice through first Nuno Gomes and then, in the dying minutes, Hélder Postiga – augurs well for Joachim Löw's team. By contrast, it was a night when the worst fears of Portugal's Chelsea FC-bound coach Luiz Felipe Scolari were realised, his pre-match nightmares about Germany's aerial superiority materialising in the form of headed goals by Klose and Ballack. Portugal were semi-finalists in 2000 and runners-up in 2004 and Scolari had hoped to take that final step at UEFA EURO 2008™ but his farewell party fell flat at St. Jakob-Park, where Portugal were overpowered by opponents who shrugged aside impressively their occasional first-stage torpor.

Debt paid
With Simão probing down the right, Scolari's men appeared to be finding their stride as they offered the first threat on goal when Bosingwa crossed and João Moutinho, free of his marker but seemingly caught in two minds, steered the ball over at the near post with his knee. Yet in the 22nd minute they fell behind. It was a wonderfully worked goal too, swift passing between Philipp Lahm, Ballack and Lukas Podolski advancing the ball down the left, with Podolski bursting clear to drive in a low cross which Schweinsteiger converted with a sliding finish. Schweinsteiger's coach Löw had told the midfielder he had a "debt" to his team-mates after his red card against Croatia and here, in his first start of the finals, he resembled a man on a mission.

Scoring feat
Scorer of two goals against Portugal at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Schweinsteiger was the architect of their second here too, drifting a free-kick into the Portugal box which Klose, ghosting clear of the red shirts, headed past Ricardo. Raul Meireles replaced the injured Moutinho and Portugal went in search of a lifeline. It came via captain Nuno Gomes five minutes before the break. Simão's crossfield ball sent Ronaldo racing clear of Per Mertesacker down the inside-left channel and though Jens Lehmann blocked his shot, Gomes was first to the rebound, striking first time into the net via the foot of Christoph Metzelder, defending desperately on the line. It was Gomes's sixth goal on the European stage over three tournaments – a scoring span only achieved by Jürgen Klinsmann, Thierry Henry and Vladimír Šmicer before him.

Tense finish
Ronaldo was a whisker away from an equaliser moments before half-time, flashing the ball past Lehmann yet just wide of the far post. Deco did find the net shortly after the interval but was in an offside position and the little midfielder then flicked on a Simão corner to set up Pepe, only for the defender to nod over. Ballack showed him how it should be done in the 61st minute when – to the displeasure of his future manager – he shrugged off Chelsea FC team-mate Paulo Ferreira and beat Ricardo to another Schweinsteiger free-kick to head home. Scolari sent on Nani and Postiga as Portugal chased the game and the pair combined to ensure a nervy finale when Postiga headed in from Nani's left-wing delivery but the glimmer of hope was soon extinguished.

Portugal 3:1 Czech; Man of the match Cristiano

Man of the match Cristiano Ronaldo declared himself "very happy" after putting Portugal on the brink of a Euro 2008 quarter-final place.

The Portuguese overcame Czech Republic 3-1 at the Stade Geneve on Wednesday to move onto six points from two games in Group A.

Ronaldo and substitute Ricardo Quaresma struck second-half goals - the latter in stoppage time - to earn the victory after Libor Sionko had cancelled out Deco's opener.

"Our main aim was to get to next phase. I'm very happy to have helped my team-mates to win," said the Manchester United star.

"I managed to score, and my goal is dedicated to the Red Cross. I'm thinking about the children and that makes me very proud."

Ronaldo acknowledged his team had struggled to assert themselves in the first half but was pleased with how they worked together to clinch the win.

"We played very well, although Czech Republic played very well in the first half," said the 23-year-old.

"It was very difficult to penetrate their defence. Portugal have played well in the first match and well again in this match as a team.

"We know how to sacrifice everything for the good of the team. We have now got a big chance but must respect our opponents because they too have a mission - they want to win as we do.

"If we carry on playing like this, we have a good chance."

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari admitted he was surprised with the decision of opposite number Karel Bruckner to start with Milan Baros up front rather than Jan Koller.

"It was a surprise for me because we had planned to play against a starting XI that would include Koller," said the Brazilian tactician.

"The fact Baros was there didn't make life easy. We faced difficulties because they had four or five in midfield and we had two wingers so we didn't know what to do."

The victory maintains Portugal's 100% start following their opening-day win over Turkey.

The Czechs - who beat co-hosts Switzerland 1-0 in the curtain-raiser - now have to wait until Sunday to clinch a last-eight spot when they face Fatih Terim's Turks.

Bruckner felt his changes were the right decisions but just rued the fact his team ran out of gas after the break.

"I made two changes and I think they played pretty well," he said.

"Some players fared better than against Switzerland. In the first half we proved we are a good team. We know how to play in defence and in attack.

"We had more chances to score than in the first match. There were serious problems in attack in the first match and that was not the case in this match."

Bruckner reserved special praise for Jaroslav Plasil as well as the two players he brought in - Baros and Marek Matejovsky.

He said: "Plasil was excellent and Baros also proved he is a high-quality player. Matejovsky played well in the first half and had enough strength in the first half.

"In the second half, we saw the team get a bit tired and our opponents put in a perfect performance in attack.

"They did not go for counter-attacking only - they were able to make perfect transitions from attack to defence.

"They played very well. But it's not over for us. We still have the third match and we are ready for that."

Portugal 2:0 Turkey; CR hit the bar

Cristiano Ronaldo was again the star of the show as Portugal defeated Turkey 2-0 in Euro 2008 Group A.

Those fearing a tight, tactical battle as is often the case early on in major tournaments would have been highly impressed by Portugal's attacking credentials as they overran their limited opponents, with Ronaldo once again the centre of attention.

He may not have got on the scoresheet - he came mighty close with a superb free-kick which came back off the post - but his ability to ghost past players and bring others into the game was just as crucial for Portugal as his goals have been for Manchester United.

But he was not the only Premier League star who shone, as Chelsea fans got a glimpse of what to expect from their new full-back Jose Bosingwa.

He has pace, power and strength, and looked a threat going forward too and Stamford Bridge punters could be in for a treat next season - Bosingwa could be the man to make the problematic right-back slot his own.

A man who tried, but ultimately failed in that position for the Blues is Paulo Ferreira. He performed solidly at left-back for the Portuguese, although he was never really tested by the Turks.

The same applies to Ricardo Carvalho who was his usual commanding self at the heart of the defence, as his marauding partner Pepe grabbed the headlines by opening the scoring.

Nani briefly shone from the bench for Portugal, but English fans will be hoping to see more of the silky skills of Simao next season.

The winger looks set to leave Porto, with Liverpool and Chelsea linked with a move, and he showed exactly why Europe's top clubs will be keeping an eye on him with some excellent touches and some killer passes.

Portugal qualifies for Euro 2008 ...... CR : We can win

A trio of Portuguese stars have declared that the Selecção das Quinas are in with a great chance of winning Euro 2008 after securing qualification last night...

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo has named Portugal as one of the favourites for the Euro 2008 crown.

The 2004 hosts secured qualification for the Austria-Switzerland tournament last night after drawing 0-0 at home to Finland, with the attacking midfielder in mixed moods after the game.

He told PortuGOAL.net, "All our players should have ambition to lift trophies. I think we can win the European Championships. We have great players, a great structure and we have to think positive. We’re going to be at our best in the finals."

However, he seemed to indicate that the pressure of the fanbase was beginning to play a major role in the dynamics of the team, who failed to score in Porto.

"This team is at the level we have accustomed the public to over recent years," he began.

"We have achieved a lot of great things. Now, whenever things go wrong people start criticising straight away, but we have to get used to that. But I think in one way this is positive."

Atletico Madrid midfielder Maniche added, "We had some tough times this campaign but we’ve managed to get through it.

"Nowadays, there are no easy games. We did not have one single simple game in this qualification. But today we played well, helped each other and the only thing lacking was a goal.

"Some young players are coming into the team that have a lot of quality. They’ve shown it at club level and now they are showing it for the national team."

Real Madrid defender Pepe then concluded, "I’m delighted. I’m very happy with the way I was received by the fans and would like to thank the support of the crowd.

"It was a game in which we suffered a little, but that makes it all the more satisfying [to qualify]. But we deserved to win this match.

"This squad is fantastic and we deserve congratulations.

"Can we be champions? I believe so; we have very good players who respected all around Europe."

Portugal lost out in the 2004 final against Greece.

Portugal 1:0 Armenia Cris hits back at home critics

Cristiano Ronaldo has hit back at the Portuguese public after they heckled the team’s 1-0 home win over Armenia. Hugo Almeida spared Portugal’s blushes with the only goal of a poor contest, leaving Luis Felipe Scolari’s men needing just one point to qualify for Euro 2008.

The performance did not sit well with the home fans, who displayed their frustration at the final whistle – but Ronaldo insists results are the only thing on his mind.

"For me it is a pain to receive critics in Portugal when playing for the national team," he said.

"I do not understand the attitude of the fans in Leiria but that is the way it is between the supporters in my country.

“We are not machines and it is not always possible to win the matches with style on the field.

“But I prefer to play a bad match and win than the opposite.

“Now we need a point against Finland but the team are not thinking of the draw.“It is impossible to play safe so our only objective is the three points."

CR is main man for Scolari

Cristiano Ronaldo will be crowned the heir to Portugal legend Eusebio before trying to inspire his country to the brink of the Euro 2008 finals by beating Armenia tonight.

Manchester United superstar Ronaldo, 22, wins his 52nd cap for his country in the Group A encounter in Leiria - and he will be presented with a commemorative plaque by Eusebio before kick-off to mark reaching his half-century earlier this year.

Eusebio is regarded as Portugal's greatest-ever player after scoring 41 goals in 64 appearances and helping them to the 1966 World Cup semifinals - but Portugal skipper Ronaldo, with 20 goals in 51 games, is now being mentioned in the same breath.

A win would all but guarantee Luiz Felipe Scolari's team a spot in the tournament next summer - and many of Ronaldo's Manchester United team-mates will be looking on enviously if England miss out and Portugal get there.

Big Phil's men face Finland - who are three points behind second-placed Portugal going into today's games - on Wednesday in Porto, where a point will be enough if they have beaten Armenia.

Ronaldo said: "These games are two finals, two games that we have to win. The team is prepared and the spirit is the same as ever, one of friendship and professionalism.

"We have had the chance to study the Armenia team on DVD, and we hope that everything goes well. I want to score goals and to set them up for others." Ronaldo is now the main man for his country following the retirement of Luis Figo after the 2006 World Cup, while veteran playmaker Rui Costa is also now out of the picture.

He has been in stunning form throughout the qualifying campaign, hitting eight goals to put Scolari's side in a great position to reach their fifth successive major tournament.

As Ronaldo's influence for United has grown, he has become the man on whom Portugal fans pin their hopes as they try to land a first major trophy.

Portugal will be without Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho, who is out for a month with a back injury.

Cris : I want England to qualify for Euro 2008

Cristiano Ronaldo last night claimed he is desperate for England to pull off a Euro 2008 miracle - so he can have a rematch with Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney.

Winger Ronaldo infamously winked after his part in getting Rooney sent off in England's quarter-final defeat against Portugal in last year's World Cup.

But Ronaldo admits he would dearly love to face England at next summer's European Championship in Austria and Switzerland.

And he even warned he would use the same dirty tricks again to ensure Portugal won.

Ronaldo said: "I want England to qualify for Euro 2008.

"I want England and Portugal to be there because it would be for the good of the game and every fan wants the big teams at major tournaments.

"But most of all, I would want to play England again because it would be sensational after the spectacle at the last World Cup.

"The story with Rooney in the World Cup is forgotten. "We are good friends, but I insist that I would never change my attitude.

"I would always do anything for Portugal when I play a game for my country."

Captain Cris: We Showed We’re A Great Team

Portugal's Ariza Makukula and Cristiano Ronaldo gave them a 2-1 win over Kazakhstan in their Euro 2008 Group A qualifier on Wednesday.

Portugal Captain Cristiano Ronaldo was evidently pleased with the result of his fifty-first appearance for the Selecção das Quinas as his goal ensured that Portugal got to export all three points back home from Kazakhstan.

The Manchester United idol is Portugal’s top scorer in the Euro 2008 qualifiers by a long chalk – his eight goals being five above currently injured centre-forward Nuno Gomes and currently injured attacking midfielder Simão.

His strike against Kazakhstan was also his twenty-third for his country at absolute international level, but he was still cautious. “We’re in a far better position in the group but we must remember that there are still two crucial games to be played in Portugal.”

“We knew it wasn’t going to be plain sailing because Kazakhstan is a team that runs a lot but we managed to get things going in the second half because we transformed possession into goals”, he explained.

“We showed that we’re a great team and I would like to congratulate Makukula as we’d played together before in the Under 21s and it was good for him to make his debut scoring as he is a strong player, so I’m happy for him, for me and for Portugal but it’s too soon to really celebrate”.

CR Relishing Portuguese Captaincy

Cristiano Ronaldo will inherit the Portugual captain's armband from Nuno Gomes tonight as the Selecção das Quinas travel to face Kazakhstan, but insists that the responsibility holds no fear for him...

Cristiano Ronaldo will don the Portuguese captain's armband tonight as his country takes on Kazakhstan in Almaty this evening, but seems entirely unfazed by the responsibility.

"I don't feel any sort of pressure," he shrugged.

"The only pressure I feel is that of winning, and to do the shirt justice with a fine performance."

The 22 year old striker has been in fine form for club and country over the past year, suggesting that he will be a key influence in Kazakhstan this evening.

Nonetheless, he claims that his powers depend partially on his various dressing room superstitions.

"I always undergo the same routine," he said of his pre-match rituals.

"Once the coach reveals the lineup, I take a ball into the dressing room and start juggling it.

"It's fun, and it helps relieve any tension that I have in the buildup to the match.

"And like many footballers, I have superstitions. For example, I must always step onto the pitch with my right foot first at the start of a game."

Cristiano has 51 caps for Portugal.

Portugal 2 : 0 Azerbaijan

Bruno Alves and Hugo Almeida scored first-half goals Saturday to lead Portugal over 10-man Azerbaijan 2-0 in a European Championship qualifying match.

After three consecutive draws, Portugal won and improved to 20 points from 11 matches in Group A. Alves put the visitors in the lead by scoring off a corner kick in the 12th minute. Almeida made it 2-0 seconds before halftime.

Azerbaijan was reduced to 10 men after Aslan Kerimov elbowed Cristiano Ronaldo into the face in the 27th minute. Portugal outshot the hosts 21-4, including 10 on target.

Portugaul 2 : 2 Poland

Poland remain top of Euro 2008 Qualifying Group A after a 2-2 draw with Portugal in Lisbon.

Mariusz Lewandowski´s first-half strike was cancelled out by Maniche five minutes into the second half before Cristiano Ronaldo volleyed in to give the hosts the lead with 18 minutes remaining.

However, two minutes from time Jacek Krzynowek scored with a 30-yard strike, which hit the post before going in off Portuguese stopper Ricardo, to rescue a point for the visitors, who remain top of the table from second-placed Finland.

Ronaldo spares Portugal blushes in Euro 2008 tie

Cristiano Ronaldo saved Portugal from an embarrassing defeat in Armenia on Wednesday while Belgium dented Serbia's hopes of reaching Euro 2008 with a 3-2 qualifying win.

David Healy, the competition's top scorer, notched two goals to help Northern Ireland go second in Group F with a 3-1 victory over Liechtenstein.

Three of the night's six qualifiers involved teams in Group A where Portugal and Serbia's dropped points enabled Finland to move above them in the table with a 2-1 win at home to Kazakhstan.

Portugal found themselves a goal down in the 10th minute when Armenia's Robert Arzumanyan headed in a corner.

Manchester United winger Ronaldo calmed the visitors' rattled nerves in the 38th when he robbed an opponent and weaved and jinked his way into the penalty area before sliding the ball into the net.

EURO 08 ...... Portugal 1:1 Serbia

CRISTIANO Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes for Portugal in their 1-1 draw with Serbia on Wednesday night. There had been injury doubts over United's star winger, who picked up an ankle knock in training, but he played a full part in the Euro 2008 qualifier. Tiago scored for Portugal before Bosko Jankovic equalised.

CR in doubt for Serbia match

Manchester United could be dealt a huge blow if the injury Cristiano Ronaldo picked up with Portugal turns out to be serious. The wing wizard twisted his foot and suffered an injury to his left heel during his country's training session on Tuesday in Belgrade as they prepared for Wednesday night's Euro 2008 qualifier with Serbia.

Ronaldo has now been rated doubtful for the game but Portugal team doctor Onofre Costa is more positive on the problem. "At this time we don't know if he will play. He sprained his heel. It doesn't look very serious, but we are not sure if he will be fit," he told Sky Sports.

The 22-year-old bagged a brace in Saturday's 4-0 win and was a constant menace to the Belgium defence, meaning Luiz Felipe Scolari could be tempted to play his influential attacker despite his injury. Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping the Portugal manager opts against it, as an aggravation to the problem which could lead to Ronaldo missing crucial club fixtures is the last thing the Scot needs.

Big Phil told CR : Just play your football

Portugal hammered Belgium on Saturday but coach Luiz Felipe Scolari admits his team still has a lot of work to do to qualify for Euro 2008. "All that was missing were goals in the first half. We had the best chances to win and the players had to break down an opposing team that had eight players in defence. In the end it was good, we won and we are happy. We have a long road in front of us but we have a chance. We are trying to put a run together."

Regarding reports before the game that Belgium were singling out Ronaldo for special treatment, "Big Phil" said: "I told him he would be one of the most targeted by the Belgians. I told him just to play his football and not to complicate things."

Belgian players apologised to Ronaldo after the game for remarks that had been reported in the media. Scolari said: "I think they did not think about what they were saying and I am sure that nothing like that would happen between professionals. Football is to make friends and not for acts of savagery."

CR double as Portugal crush Belgium 4-0

Get Your Rudebox!!

Winger Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal crushed Belgium 4-0 in their Euro 2008 qualifier in Group A on Saturday. Two goals in the space of two minutes paved the way for Portugal's victory, with Nuno Gomes breaking the deadlock in the 52nd minute and Ronaldo getting his first of the night almost immediately afterwards with a header.

Ricardo Quaresma added the third in the 68th minute before Ronaldo completed a rout which left the Euro 2004 hosts in a promising position in their group.

Poland are top on 13 points, having played a game more, after trouncing Azerbaijan 5-0. Finland are second on 11 points, while Portugal moved up to third on 10. Serbia, who also have 10 points, lost 2-1 to Kazakhstan on Saturday.

The goalkeeper apologize to me
“I went to shake hands with Belgian goalkeeper at the end and he has apologized for what has happened. I understand players try to intimidate me, but I'm used to it. I didn’t felt they were more or less malicious. I think both teams did well, aggressive, and the most important thing was our win.
The team started second half with more determination, we managed to score in the first minutes, Belgium opened up and with that the opportunity to score more goals, which eventually happened."

About Deco and Simão absence
"They are part of this group, they are very important, but those who play are the ones who always get people’s attention and support."

About the possible nomination to be considered world’s best player
"I have been working to play well. This season I’m in great shape and feel mature. Those who play by my side in Manchester and in the national team have been helping me out. Of course I want to be one of the best players."