RIP

Cristiano Ronaldo had that to dislocate itself from urgency to its native island to support the family in the sequência ofthe death of a cousin.

“It is one of the saddest moments of my life, I will never forget it”, confessed Cristiano Ronaldo to the press to the being collated with the notice of the death of the familiar one, Amílcar Miguel Dos Santos Fernandes, of 32 years, victim of a means of transportation accident.

The player of Real Madrid suspended an act advertising executive in the stadium Santiago de Bernabéu and travelled route to the Madeira to join the family.

Cris:I'm dismayed about it and ready to do anything to help

The Portuguese archipielago of Madeira was hit by a severe storm that killed at least 32 people and injured over 60. Upon hearing the news, Madeira native Cristiano Ronaldo wished to express his support for his countrymen.

“Nobody can be indifferent to such a tragedy, especially me. I was born and raised on the island. It’s given me so much. This is why I want to make myself available to help in whatever possible way. I would like to help official bodies and organisations to minimize the effects of this great tragedy and to get over them as soon as possible.”

Cristiano suspend for 2 games

Meeting this morning to discuss the red card shown to Real Madrid's Crisitiano Ronaldo in Los Blancos' weekend fixture against Malaga, La Liga's Competition Committee has decided to suspend the €94 million man for two matches, as reported by Marca.

Madrid have decided to appeal the ruling in a bid to have the punishment reduced to one match. The Appeals Committee meets on Thursday and will make a final decision at that time. In the initial ruling the Competition Committee did not classify the player's action as 'aggressive', which would have carried a ban of at least three matches.

Marca has been with Cristiano Ronaldo on the day after his expulsion. "I did not want to hurt anyone, I was just trying to free me." repeated Cristiano, who spent about 2 hours to eat alone in the restaurant Urrechu and went quickly in his Ferrari on the way to their house to try to get away from controversy.

Despite the massive criticisms that have been made, Cristiano showed his professionalism by showing up in the morning in training with RM, which was voluntary for those who had been holding the match again Malaga.

Poor Cris out for four more weeks

If 'CR9' is forced to go under the knife, he could be sidelined for up to three months...

Any lingering hopes that Cristiano Ronaldo could make a swift comeback from injury have been dashed with the news that he faces at least another month on the sidelines.

Marca report that the Real Madrid star entered a hospital in Amsterdam by the back door at 14:55 CET and underwent a series of scans under the supervision of ankle expert Dr. Niek van Dijk.

Few details have been made available so far, but the key news is that the 24-year-old will be out for around a month if all goes well in his recovery programme.

Real Madrid released a statement on Wednesday evening, stating that, "there has been no clinical improvement of the bone edema". If the problem persists, Ronaldo could be forced to have surgery.

Manuel Pellegrini will be desperately hoping that this eventuality doesn't occur, as 'CR9' would then be out until well into the new year. Marca believe that Ronaldo would need another two or three months to fully recover from any operation.

"I can't wait to come back"

Cristiano Ronaldo is doing everything he can to rejoin the squad as soon as possible. A photographic feature in Marca documents the player's daily recovery routine, based on double sessions, pool work and lots of drive.

The Portuguese player was injured on 10 October with a Grade I-II sprain on the internal lateral ligament of his right ankle and bone edema on the talus bone.

Cristiano attends a double recovery session every day supervised by the Club's Medical Staff and physiotherapists. The player will have to do specific exercises for the bone edema to disappear.

According to Marca, Ronaldo had a magnetic resonance on Tuesday that determined that the synovitis and the inflamation of the tendons have disappeared. Cristiano will now focus on getting rid of the bone edema by lymph drainage, a process used to alleviate the damaged zone.

The player also does contrasting exercises in cold and warm water in the pool, and tones his muscles in the gym. The Portuguese international has started to do stability exercises that will recover his tendons and strengthen his ankle's articulation.

Marca say Cristiano's goal is to be ready in time to play against AC Milan at San Siro. "I can't wait to come back," he says.

Real Madrid block Cris's return To Portugal

Real Madrid are refusing to let Cristiano Ronaldo return to Portugal to link up with his international team-mates ahead of their final World Cup qualifier against Malta on Wednesday, according to AS.

Madrid officials do not want Ronaldo missing any of the intensive recovery sessions planned for him as they try to shorten his recuperation period from a month down to three weeks. He has already begun his intensive recovery and had his first double session in Valdebebas yesterday.

The player had earlier expressed his intention to return to Guimaraes for the game and said he had promised coach Carlos Quieroz that he would return but now it appears he will not.

Ronaldo's involvement in the weekend win over Hungary is currently the source of tension between Madrid and Portugal as Quieroz claimed the winger was fit to play on Saturday but Jorge Valdano has said he was not.

Man Utd accept £80m Ronaldo bid

Manchester United have accepted a potential world record £80m bid from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo.

"United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player," read a statement from the Old Trafford club.

It added the decision came at the 24-year-old winger's request after he "again expressed his desire to leave".

United said the offer was unconditional and want the matter to be concluded by 30 June, while Madrid hope to agree personal terms "in the next few days".

"Real Madrid confirm they have made an offer to Manchester United for the acquisition of the rights of the player Cristiano Ronaldo," said the Spanish club in a statement.

But the BBC's Steve Kingstone in Madrid stated that Real had yet to confirm the agreed price of £80m stated by United.

A spokesman for United's owners, the Glazer family, insisted that the decision to sell Ronaldo was taken solely by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The spokesman told the BBC: "It was purely a football decision and had nothing to do with the financial structure of the club."......More

Cris is ready

Cristiano Ronaldo could make a shock return for United in the next few days after Sir Alex Ferguson revealed he may take the winger with him to Anfield.

Wednesday's Champions League Group E opener against Villarreal at Old Trafford might be a safer bet, but either way the news is a significant and surprising boost to United as some reports had suggested last season's 42-goal hero would be out of action until October.

The Portuguese winger has been sidelined since undergoing a successful ankle operation in Amsterdam at the start of July. However, his rehab work in Manchester has gone so well in recent weeks that his inclusion in Sir Alex's XI is now close.

Sir Alex told MUTV on Friday morning: "Ronaldo is training now, he's with the first team. He's come on leaps and bounds and I may take him with us tomorrow, who knows? But he's more likely to be involved next week.

"I think we mentioned a couple of weeks ago he was making rapid progress in terms of overcoming the injury problem he had and the training he's been doing with the physios and Tony Strudwick the fitness coach.

"He's been making great strides in the direction towards first-team football."

The summer months were riddled with press speculation and uncertainty over his future. But he has decided his future remains in Manchester and his impending return to action is a real filip for Sir Alex ahead of another key match against Chelsea.

Cris stay

Cristiano Ronaldo finally pledged his immediate future to Manchester United - but perhaps only for one more season.

In an interview with Portuguese newspaper Publico published today, Ronaldo reveals that although he still wants to play for Real Madrid some time in the future, he will remain a United player for this campaign.

He praises manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who on Monday insisted that Ronaldo would be staying, with the player's words putting an end to the summer's longest -running transfer saga.

Ronaldo said: 'Sir Alex Ferguson heard my reasons, I heard his and we have an agreement that the best for both parties would be if I stay. Therefore, I can confirm that next season I will play in Manchester United.

'For a while, my desire was that Manchester would accept Real Madrid's bid. To say the opposite would be cheating people and my own conscience.'

The news made it a double boost for Ferguson and United, with Wayne Rooney making a faster than expected recovery from the bug he picked up during the pre-season trip to Nigeria. He may be fit for the season's opener at home to Newcastle on Sunday week.

Shave your head if I score 20 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo has come up with another wacky goals bet for his boss Alex Ferguson. Manchester United's Portuguese winger will tell him: "I'll shave my hair off if I don't score 20 Premier League goals — you shave your hair off if I do."

Ronaldo, 22, hatched the hair-brained plan as they continue their annual wager. Last season he won a £400 bet with Fergie when he netted 17 times, beating his 15-goal target.

A Reds source told The Sun: "Ronaldo has been joking with pals he will be able to give the gaffer serious hairdryer treatment. "Ronny is really confident. He spends a lot of time on his hair so wouldn't put it at risk lightly."

Mourinho says sorry to CR

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed ahead of Manchester United's trip to Chelsea that Jose Mourinho has personally apologised for reportedly criticising his upbringing.

The Blues boss had been quoted as describing the dual PFA Football and Young Player of Year as "ill-educated, disrespectful and immature" after the Portuguese winger claimed Mourinho could never admit he made a mistake.

The 22-year-old Red Devils star has been quoted as saying: "Mourinho has apologised to me and now I have no problem with him. I am pleased that this has happened. As far as I am concerned, the whole thing is now in the past."

Ronaldo, who has agreed a new contract with Manchester United, has been in the form of his life this season, playing a crucial part in ending Sir Alex Ferguson's four-year title drought.

Meanwhile, Chelsea players will wear black armbands against the Red Devils to mark the death of club honorary vice-president Phillip Carter.

Carter was killed along with his son Andrew, fellow Blues fan Jonathan Waller and pilot Stephen Holdich, in a helicopter crash on his way home from the club's Champions League semi-final at Liverpool last week.

Ball admits stamping on Cristiano Ronaldo

Get Your Rudebox!!
Manchester City defender Michael Ball has admitted an FA charge of violent conduct after stamping on Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo in Saturday's derby.

Ball and Fulham's Michael Brown were both charged with violent conduct after separate incidents in last weekend's Premier League matches.

Ball stamped on Ronaldo as the Portugal winger lay on the pitch following a challenge in Saturday's game at the City of Manchester Stadium.

The incident was missed by the referee but caught by television cameras. United won the game 1-0 with a Ronaldo penalty -- awarded after a foul by Ball on the United winger.

"I deeply regret what I did and have accepted the FA's charge without hesitation. I have also sent a personal apology to Cristiano," Ball told City's Web site (www.mcfc.co.uk).

"My action should not be seen on a football pitch and I know we have a responsibility at Premier League level to set a good example to the whole football community." Brown's charge follows an alleged head-butt on Liverpool's Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso during Fulham's 1-0 win at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said after the game: "It's clear for everybody to see this incident and how the officials didn't see it is unbelievable."

The FA said in a statement the two players had until 1700 GMT on Wednesday to respond to the charges "which carry an automatic three-match suspension and the cases will be heard by a Disciplinary Commission on Thursday."

CR named England's Footballer of the Year

C ristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United was named Footballer of the Year on Friday, completing an unprecedented clean sweep of England's three major individual honours this season.

The Portugal winger finished ahead of Didier Drogba of Chelsea and United team mates Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes in the 60th vote organised by the Football Writers' Association (FWA).

"I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to win such an important award, it is a real honour," Ronaldo told the FWA after being informed of his victory in a poll in which an unusually high number of 12 players received votes.

FWA chairman Paul Hetherington said: "(It) completes a remarkable turnaround for the player, who was so heavily criticised during last year's World Cup for his part in the sending-off of club mate Wayne Rooney when England played Portugal in the quarter-finals.

"It shows in England we do not bear a grudge and can accept and recognise individual brilliance. He was the deserved, overwhelming winner of a poll dominated by United players which underlines their success this season."

The 22-year-old becomes the first United player to win the award since Teddy Sheringham in 2001 and the first Portuguese to land the honour.

Ronaldo was also voted Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year by the Professional Footballers' Association last month.

The winger, who joined United from Sporting Lisbon for 12.2 million pounds ($24.31 million) in 2003, has been in inspirational form this season, scoring 22 goals for United.

Although United were knocked out of the Champions League by AC Milan on Wednesday, they can still scoop a Premier League and FA Cup double.

Ronaldo heads PFA award nominees

Cristiano Ronaldo's ascent from pantomime villain to genuine footballing hero will be complete if - or when - he is crowned Player of the Year by his fellow professionals on Sunday.

PFA Player of the Year Nominees:
Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes (all Manchester United)

Young player nominees:
Kevin Doyle (Reading), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Ronaldo is one of six players nominated for the PFA award. Reflecting Manchester United's marauding season to date, elder statesmen Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are also nominated. Representatives of the other members of the Premiership elite - Chelsea's Didier Drogba, Steven Gerrard of Liverpool and Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas -complete the list.

Ronaldo, who is the outstanding favourite, returned to Old Trafford in July to the displeasure of the nation, fuelled by a rabid media campaign, after he was accused of playing a significant part in the sending-off of Wayne Rooney as England departed the World Cup at the quarter-final stage against Portugal. It looked at one stage as if Ronaldo would be forced to leave the Premiership.

Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the PFA, said: "This season was a big test for him, both of his temperament and his ability to rise above the abuse he received after the incident with Wayne Rooney, and he has passed with flying colours in every department. I was not sure after the World Cup if things would get back to normal at Old Trafford, but Cristiano has shown great maturity and proved himself to be a top, top player."

Much of the credit must go to Sir Alex Ferguson, his manager, who had managed to get Eric Cantona back on track a decade earlier, and who persuaded Ronaldo not only to stay but also to become one of the game's biggest draws. The showboating show pony of the past has transformed into a thoroughbred who can harness his box of tricks within a team ethic.
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"He has still got the tricks," Taylor said, "and, if he was to perform them on the stage at the London Palladium, you would have to stand up and applaud. For him to be able to perform them on a football field, at full speed with everything going on around him, makes it all the more remarkable."

Drogba also came back from Germany last summer with something to prove. He had struggled to impose himself on Premiership defences in his first two seasons at Chelsea, only showing occasional flashes of what was to come. This season, however, he has scored 30 goals to keep Chelsea challenging for Premiership, FA Cup and Champions League honours, as well as winning the Carling Cup in February.

"What I have liked about Didier this season is the way he has committed himself to the Chelsea cause and how he has maintained such excellent form, even when Chelsea have been going through a sticky time," Taylor said.

Like Ronaldo, Fabregas has also been nominated for the Young Player of the Year award alongside Rooney, Kevin Doyle, of Reading, Tottenham's Aaron Lennon and Micah Richards, of Manchester City.

"Fabregas is usually at the heart of every [Arsenal] move," Taylor said. "He is going to be a player for all seasons if he keeps going the way he is."

No Ronaldo doubts

Sir Alex Ferguson never had any doubts that Cristiano Ronaldo would sign a new contract at United – and now the Reds boss says fans can look forward to years more of a player with “the same skill factor as Maradona and Pele."

The 22-year-old has pledged his future to United until 2012 and Sir Alex says Ronaldo is at the right club to continue his astronomical development.

"Without question, Cristiano is getting to the level of best player in the world,” added the United boss. “It is up to others to decide whether he is as good as Maradona and Pele. That is the challenge in front of him now.

"He is one of the best signings I have ever made. The measurement of his improvement this year is astronomical. In terms of top flight football, where do you find a winger who has scored 20 goals. It is incredible.”

Though Sir Alex says he was always sure Ronaldo would put pen to paper on a new deal, the speculation emanating from Spain that Real Madrid and Barcelona are eyeing a move for the Portuguese winger, must surely have been a concern.

“I had no doubts, but I think everyone else did outside Old Trafford,” added the boss. “I was confident about Cristiano signing because he’s happy here, his family are happy here and he’s at the right club.

“What we did was believe that Cristiano is at the right club. He believes that, too. Essentially, there was no reason for him to think about leaving. He’s well liked at the club, there is a
good atmosphere in the dressing room and he is playing in front of 76,000 people every week.”

Sir Alex did, however, deliver stinging criticism of the transfer tactics employed in Spain.

“They keep talking in Spain the way they do and unsettling clubs like ourselves,” he said. “It doesn’t matter to them, I don’t think they have any care for Manchester United or anyone else when they decide to put their net out for the best players in the world. They’ve shown that over the years, they don’t have any regard for how you feel.

“It seems to happen time and time again. There’s no point in reporting it to UEFA or FIFA. It wouldn’t matter to them if you fined them. When it goes on and on, you start looking at the substance to it. It’s a game they play in their election process.

“People perceive Real Madrid as a club of galacticos or whatever it is they call them. It’s a pre-conceived notion about themselves. Barcelona are also a fantastic club, but you can’t say either club is miles in front of Manchester United. I think most people recognise that we are one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

But the indisputable fact is that Ronaldo is a United player, under contract for a further five years. In that time, Sir Alex says the player has no limitations as to how good he can become. “I think he is the best player in the world, I really do,” he said. “He will continue to improve because the measure of his development is astronomical.”

CR signs new deal

Manchester United is delighted to announce that it has agreed terms with Cristiano Ronaldo on a new five-year contract keeping him at the club until at least June 2012.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: “It is fantastic news, it emphasises the point that Cristiano is happy here and that he is at the right club.

"He has a great relationship with the team, staff and the fans and he will go on to be one of Manchester United’s great players.”

Cristiano added: “I am delighted. I spoke with Sir Alex and David Gill about my future and everyone knew that I wanted to stay. "I am very happy at the club. I want to win trophies and hopefully we'll do that this season."

Ronaldo: I can do it all at Man Utd

Get Your Rudebox!!
After penning his new five-year contract, Cristiano Ronaldo declared he could achieve everything he wanted at Manchester United.

"I wanted to stay," he told MUTV. "I am at the right club and this is why I signed.

"Everything is okay here. I am happy with my colleagues, my friends and my coaches.

"The supporters have also helped me very much and I am really happy here."

With an impressive 20 goals to his name this term, Ronaldo has been the major driving force behind United's Treble bid.

He scored twice in the midweek Champions League rout of Roma and will tomorrow hope to guide the Red Devils into the FA Cup final at the expense of Premiership basement boys Watford.

Yet, despite the host of accolades coming his way, the youngster admits he still has plenty of improving to do.

"I was only 18 when I came here but everyone at the club has helped me," he said.

"I have learned a lot already but I still have more to learn and I just want to keep going.

"I want to win more trophies here and hopefully, I can do that this season."

Boateng punished after Ronaldo jibe

Middlesbrough skipper George Boateng has been disciplined by his club after warning Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo his antics could earn him reprisals.

The furious Dutchman hit out in the wake of Boro's FA Cup quarter-final replay defeat at Old Trafford in which the Portugal international, for the second time this season, won his side a controversial penalty against the North-East club.

Young midfielder James Morrison was sent off for lashing out at the United star late in the game and Boateng later said of Ronaldo's trickery: "One day, someone will hurt him properly." Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson was angry the Teessiders' captain had not been hauled before the Football Association to explain his comments.

However, Boro counterpart Gareth Southgate yesterday revealed he had not let the matter pass, although he did not go into detail. He said: "I do not think the comments George made were correct and we have dealt with that.

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.

MU line up Deco pair with CR

Manchester United reportedly want to pair Barcelona star Deco with Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford so are lining up a £15million summer bid. Catalan giants Barca are planning to overhaul their squad at the end of this season and according to reports, Sir Alex Ferguson is planning to sign the unsettled Portuguese playmaker.

Deco has already hinted he wants a fresh challenge after three years at the Nou Camp and it is thought that bringing him to Old Trafford would help ensure Ronaldo pens a new contract with the Red Devils. Although Ronaldo's new deal is expected to be five years, there are still disputes over the pay with the player holding out for more than £100,000 per week.