Japan Tour

CR follow the Manchester United squad arrives at Japan & start their Far East Tour

CR: It's single life for me

Cristiano Ronaldo has disappointed his army of female fans - by vowing to stay single until he is 30.

Football's most eligible bachelor feels he is too young at 22 for serious commitment. The Manchester United ace says he has nightmares about walking up the aisle and having kids.

The Portuguese winger, linked to model Soraia Chaves, says: "One of the last dreams I had was close to a nightmare. I dreamt I was about to marry. I can't remember her face, only that she was a very pretty woman."

Ronaldo makes his revelations in a mini-autobiography, Moments The Way I Feel, released at the end of the summer. He tells how a woman in Holland followed him to his Manchester home. He gave her £200 to fly home, and sent a pal to the airport to see that she went.

Ronaldo spends a day a week answering fan mail and pays £2,000 a month for stamps and envelopes.

Oh No !

Bipasha kisses Football star Cristiano Ronaldo ! !

After Shilpa Shetty, it's Bipasha Basu who's making news in the UK . The Daily Star on Tuesday ran a front-page picture of Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo , 22, kissing Bipasha , 28, in Lisbon where they'd gone for the Seven Wonders show recently.

According to the Daily Star, the two were spotted later in the evening at a party at the Belem Club getting physical with each other. Cristiano Ronaldo is reported to be in a relationship with glamour model Gemma Atkinson .

The Asian community snapped up the story eagerly. On being contacted on her cell phone, Bipasha said: Yes, it is me in the picture. It was taken at an opportune moment and has been taken out of context. Again, it looks like a case of irresponsible assumptions.?

CR to be Pro Evolution 2008 cover star

Konami has announced that the Portugal and Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo has been chosen as the European face of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008.

Set for release this Autumn on the 360, PC, PS3, PS2, PSP and Nintendo DS, the game promises new things including Teamvision AI (see link below) which will learn from a players moves and adapt accordingly.

Ronaldo, diplomatic as ever and errrm, completely unscripted, said, "For me there is no other game that can capture the grace and skill of football like PES 2008.

"Every element of the game is lavished with incredible detail, and with its close control and fast pace it is the most complete simulation of real football out there."

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."

I don't showboat

Cristiano Ronaldo claims he is not showing off when he utilises his array of trickery, merely satisfying his own lifelong addiction to football.

Before befuddling opponents with his sorcery, as he invariably does, the 21-year-old winger puts on a bewitching pre-match show as he runs through his repertoire of tricks and flicks.

Far from showboating, however, Ronaldo claims he is simply doing what comes naturally to him. In an extract from his new book 'Moments', which is published in England later this summer, he said: "I cannot help caressing the ball or enjoying juggling.

"I used to do it when I played in the street, I kept on doing it all throughout my training and I still do it now. And I will keep on doing it.

"This is the real Ronaldo.

I believe that when people see me on the pitch playing with the ball before the beginning of the warm-up, they may be tempted to think that this is nothing but a charm offensive or showing off."

"If this is what you think then you are wrong, because I do it naturally. Before matches, both for the club and when I play for Portugal, I always have the same routine."

"In the dressing room I start to juggle with the ball. We leave to warm-up and while waiting for the physical exercises to start I keep on practising my skills. I take the ball, I pass it under one foot, and then the other, I pick it up, bounce it, in short, I amuse myself with the ball."

Ronaldo revealed that his pre-match routine is as much about dousing big-match nerves as it is for pure enjoyment. "I do it just for pleasure, but there is also another reason - to put an end to any tension before the match," he said.

"This is the way I have of motivating myself, of relieving the pressure of the match, of calming down, of pre-occupying myself."

《Moments the way I feel》

Product details
Paperback: 180 pages
Publisher: Authors Online Ltd
Release date: 5 Jul 2007
Pre-order: Amazon UK

This coffee-table book by Cristiano Ronaldo with Manuela Brandao and foreword by Sir Bobby Charlton is accompanied by a beautiful photographic account of the star taken by Jorge Monteiro. The world famous Manchester United and Portuguese International footballer fully augments the sumptuous photographs with a series of interviews and thoughts about his life so far, both on and off the pitch.

Cristiano Ronaldo is well known in football circles for his unique style of play. Football fans instantly recognise for example how he dribbles the ball, but there is a great deal about him that has never previously been made public.

He recognises however that his youth does not yet give him the right to produce an autobiography and this book does not set out to be one. It is an invitation to the reader to share with him some of the most fantastic moments of his career so far, and get to know him a little better.

It relates the story of his love of football from early childhood on Madeira, the homesickness he suffered as a result of the move, aged 12, to a football academy in Lisbon, through to his time with Manchester United, the club which has really made him famous and turned him into a football idol at only 22 years old. He speaks of his love of playing for his country and the love and support of his family, as well as the sad moments in his life, such as the death of his father.

The book also shows glimpses of him at training and enjoying his leisure time, the charity work he involves himself in, as well as off-field activities in both his professional capacity and for pleasure. He hopes that by the end of these sundry stories and beautiful photographs by Jorge Monteiro you will know Cristiano Ronaldo a little better. As you finish reading the last line he also trusts you will have enjoyed the book with the same enthusiasm you would follow a well dribbled football.

CR help Nani

Cristiano Ronaldo feels signing for United will provide compatriot Nani with the perfect platform on which to further his career.The 20-year-old winger recently passed his Reds' medical and will officially join the Premier League champions from Sporting Lisbon next month.

Ronaldo is excited by Nani's arrival and believes he will go on to become a top performer for the Reds.

“I still haven’t spoken with Nani but I am going to do everything I can so that his stay in Manchester goes well,” explained Ronaldo. “I really hope he has the same success as me, or even more, because he’s got the ability to do this. He’s joining the right club to evolve as a player and as a person.”

Nani will be joined at Old Trafford by Brazilian attacker Anderson and Ronaldo says he will take it upon himself to ensure the pair settle quickly into life in Manchester.

“Whatever I can do for Nani and Anderson I’ll do with the greatest of pleasure because they don’t know Manchester or how the club operates," said the 22-year-old.

The world's top 50 footballers

Can Kaka kick Cristiano into a cocked hat? Does Ronaldinho run rings around Rooney? Gabriele Marcotti picks the best players on the planet. Do you agree?

CR holiday

Get Your Rudebox!!

Cris' dream holidays in Miami ended already and it seems like that now is time to dedicate his holidays to his family. He is now at home,in Madeira,with his mother and sisters. Even though he wants to have some time to relax, CR has already a social agenda for the next days, especially he's gonna be on a fashion show in Funchal,organized by his sister Elma's CR7 store.

After finishing a great season, being English champion,the player, who had more awards during this season,was with some fiends and cousin Nuno in Miami. The second holidays phase will be near his family,and probably ,he will be on Algarve before back to Manchester.

This summer holidays will be more calm than the ones last year,cos on last year he was still dating Merche Romero and passed more his time running from the photographers than relaxing. On last Summer,the couple spent some time on Algarve,in one resort in Vale do Lobo,and then the football star went to Manchester and Merche Romero went to Albufeira.

Cris crying

The mum of Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed why he was pictured in tears — because his beloved uncle is dying.

Dolores Aveiro said Ronaldo — who wept at Portugal’s Lisbon airport four days ago — had learned Jose has lung disease.

Ronaldo lost his dad to a chronic liver condition in 2005. Dolores said: “Maybe my son remembered his father, to whom he is still very attached.

“Cristiano came with me to Lisbon on Monday.

“My brother Jose is very sick. He has problems in the lungs because he smokes a lot.

“My son also cried a lot after the game against Chelsea because he lost the FA Cup.”

FA Cup Final......MU 0 : 1 Chelsea

United's Double hopes were crushed by Didier Drogba's extra-time winner for Chelsea in the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley.

Given the strong defensive records of the rivals - they conceded just 51 goals between them in 76 league games - it was hardly surprising this showpiece almost went to penalties. But an edgy, sometimes dry, affair was instead settled with just four minutes remaining when Drogba lifted the ball over Edwin van der Sar to claim the trophy......Read more

Fergie: Ronaldo Can Get Better

Sir Alex Ferguson has tipped Cristiano Ronaldo to establish himself as the best player in the world after the Portuguese completed a clean sweep of personal awards for the season.

The 22-year-old Manchester United winger received his Football Writers' Association award on Thursday night for his efforts this season.

Earlier this week he was named the United fans' and players' player of the year soon after scooping both the awards - player and young player - from the Professional Footballers' Association.

United boss Ferguson, who bought Ronaldo from Sporting Lisbon in 20003, believes the player can build on his success this season, when he scored 23 goals.

Ferguson said: "He's got great quality. I hope he goes on to develop himself to be established as the best footballer in the world.

"To do it for a long time is another challenge for the boy and I think he will do that."

Ronaldo's future in English football looked in doubt at last summer's World Cup when he played a sinister part in Wayne Rooney's dismissal in the quarter-final when England bowed out.

But he rammed the taunts of rival supporters down their throats this season, playing his part as United grabbed the Barclays Premiership title from Chelsea.

Ronaldo could complete a double with United if they win the FA Cup final against Jose Mourinho's team on Saturday at the new Wembley, and he said at the FWA dinner tonight: "It's a big honour, I'm very happy for this."

Hungry for title

"We all want more trophies. I have waited a few years to win the Premier League but now we have done it once, we want to win it again" - Cristiano Ronaldo

Footballer of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo is hungry for more silverware having helped Manchester United wrest the title back from Chelsea's grasp.

And the 22-year-old Portuguese winger will be hoping to add to his medal collection on Saturday when the Red Devils take on Chelsea in the first FA Cup Final at the new-look Wembley Stadium looking to seal an historic fourth domestic league and cup Double.

Ronaldo, who wants to help Sir Alex Ferguson's men win the Premier League again next season, said: "We all want more trophies. I have waited a few years to win the Premier League but now we have done it once, we want to win it again.

"I am at a great club, with great players. We should be looking to win something every year. This season is not over yet either.

"We still have a chance to win the Double and, while you can never say who will win any match, the confidence in the team is high and I believe we have a good chance."

Ferguson will be without captain Gary Neville for the FA Cup Final as he has failed to recover from the ankle injury he suffered against Bolton Wanderers on March 17 as well as French striker Louis Saha, who has a knee injury.

The 65-year-old United boss' opposite number Jose Mourinho has claimed that Chelsea's injury problems are so bad that he might have to deploy third-choice goalkeeper Hilario as a substitute striker.

Cris does the double AGAIN

Get Your Rudebox!!
Cristiano Ronaldo did another awards double on Monday night after being named Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year on Monday night.

At the end-of-season awards dinner at Old Trafford, the 22-year-old claimed both major honours, the first voted for by over 100,000 fans, the second by his team-mates. It has been an incredible season for the Portuguese winger, who is now widely considered to be the best player in the world. And he has the silverware to prove it - he has claimed an astonishing 13 personal accolades this season.

Ronaldo, looking at the Sir Matt Busby award, joked: "That's bigger than Patrice [Evra]". He added that this season had been "a pleasure playing at this club and with these great players".

He was beaten to the Goal of the Season award, which deservedly went to Paul Scholes for his thunderous volley in off the bar against Aston Villa. Scholes, who was presented the award by team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, said: "The standard of goals this season has been brilliant, so I'm really pleased to get this award."

Ronaldo's awards 2006/07
Barclays Player of the Month (November, December)
PFA Fans' Player of the Month (October, February)
PFA Player of the Year
PFA Young Player of the Year
PFA Fans' Player of the Year
PFA Premiership Team of the Year
Football Writers' Footballer of the Year
Barclays Player of the Season
Portuguese Sports Personality
Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year
Players' Player of the Year

How Ronaldo fought street gangs, loneliness and heartache to become a £50 million global star

The streets of Lisbon will be empty tonight. In Porto, Braga and Setubal the story will be the same. Football fans will venture out only if their local bar boasts a decent television set.

Families will stay at home, forsaking the joys of a Sunday evening in springtime to sit indoors and watch a TV documentary.

The object of their attention will be a man who, at the tender age of 22, has become a national treasure.

For its subject, Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, the broadcast of a documentary recording his rags-to-riches story marks the start of the proudest week of his life, a week in which he will be crowned England’s Footballer of the Year and play for Manchester United against Chelsea in the first FA Cup Final at the new Wembley on Saturday.

For six months, the makers of Planeta Ronaldo followed United’s iconic No 7 to film a unique insight into his life. The result is a documentary that touches not only on the high points of Ronaldo’s career, drawing praise for him from a cast list including Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Wayne Rooney, but also on the setbacks Ronaldo has faced in his mission to become the best player in the world.

Throughout his career, "that boy Ronaldo" — as United fans call him — has overcome challenges that would have seen off lesser men.

As a tearful and frightened 12-year-old, he had to leave his home island of Madeira to travel hundreds of miles to follow his dream, fighting loneliness, prejudice and even street robbers along the way.

His talent made him a hit at Sporting Lisbon and a global superstar at United.

But there have been torrid times, failing to save his harddrinking father from an early grave and the fears for his safety following the World Cup.

And as Planeta Ronaldo shows, behind the talented feet lies an enormous heart.

Today,Ronaldo is valued at £50 million but his story began with a very unusual £15,000 deal.

Nacional Madeira owed Sporting Lisbon the money on a journeyman player called Franco and, not wishing to pay it, offered the 12-yearold Ronaldo instead.

Sporting were sceptical but after five minutes of an impromptu trial, they knew they had a bargain.

It meant a huge lifestyle change for Ronaldo, who left his family in Madeira off the north African coast for the bustling Portuguese capital Lisbon.

"It was very traumatic to leave my family," says Ronaldo in the programme. "I had never even been on an aeroplane before. When I saw my mother crying at the airport, it made me want to cry as well.

"There were a lot of tears in my first few weeks in Lisbon. Madeira is so small, I couldn’t believe the traffic and noise of a capital city. About 10 of us lived in a room inside the Sporting Lisbon stadium.

"In the beginning, nobody could understand me because of my accent and I couldn’t understand them. I used to call my family wheneverI could. I remember buying phone cards and looking at the units go down as I spoke to my parents and brothers and sisters."

Ronaldo’s trials and tribulations had a menacing side, too. He recalls one incident in particular: "A gang jumped on me and my team-mates in the street. The other players ran away but I stood up and fought — and the robbers didn’t get anything."

And all through his young life’s ordeal, Ronaldo clung to his ambitions. "No matter how bad things got," he says, "I had this burning dream."

He had to vie for attention with another young star at Sporting called Ricardo Quaresma, but Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, then the coach of Porto, says he could see his talent straight away.

Mourinho tells the programme: "I went to watch Sporting and there was this tall, elegant kid playing up front. I had never heard of him before but my eyes were drawn to him right away. I turned to my assistant and said: 'Who is this player, he must be the son of Van Basten'. Their styles were so similar. Cristiano has gone on to become a great player."

It was Sir Alex, however, who gave Ronaldo his big break in 2003, signing the unknown teenager to replace the most famous player on the planet, David Beckham.

Ferguson says: "We played Sporting in a friendly and my players came in at half-time and said: 'Please sign him'. They didn’t know I had already been with the Sporting directors the previous evening to talk about it!

"A lot of players wouldn’t want the No 7 shirt worn by Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and Beckham but I knew Cristiano would thrive on it with his confidence and ability. He caused an explosion among our fans from his very first game, when I brought him on against Bolton.

"I’ve had some great players like Bryan Robson and Roy Keane in 20 years at United but Cristiano is the best now in terms of sheer ability and imagination. He has improved so much in two years. That is not by accident, it is because he practises every day and has the desire to get better."

Ronaldo nearly quit the Premiership last year after becoming the victim of a hate campaign following his role in Rooney’s sending-off at the World Cup.

Ronaldo initially thought United did not care about him and when Ferguson visited him face-to-face in Portugal, he found the young player genuinely frightened for his safety. In the documentary, Ferguson reveals how Ronaldo was won over.

"I tried to contact Cristiano after the England game but didn’t get any reply," says Sir Alex. "I thought he wasn’t returning my calls but then found out I’d been using an old number. Cristiano hadn’t got any message from me and might have felt I hadn’t shown any interest in him.

"After the tournament David (Gill, chief executive) and myself flew to Val do Lobo on a private plane to see him.

"Cristiano had fears about the reaction back in England. I explained that we had gone through the same thing with David Beckham when they were burning effigies of him after the 1998 World Cup. I told him that English people talk more than they actually do anything. They might make a lot of noise but they wouldn’t harm him physically.

"We said he could move house to somewhere in the countryside, more private, and that helped.

"He got a lot of boos in his first away game back against Charlton. Then, he beat a man and hit the crossbar with a tremendous shot. They were suddenly silent because they were terrified of what he was doing to their team. I told Cristiano the answer was to quieten the fans with his talent. And he always had the courage to show his talent."

Yet again, Ronaldo took the brave rather than the easy option, staying in Manchester rather than taking up offers from Barcelona and Real Madrid.

"I did think about my future," he admits. "I asked my friends, family and my agent (Jorge Mendes) what I should do. They all had the same opinion,that I should stay and fight to win the fans in England over. So that’s what I did."

In Rooney, his World Cup sparring partner,he found someone to share the burden of superstardom. They have become the most talked-about combination at United since Best, Law and Charlton and if they hit it off at Wembley on Saturday, there may be little Chelsea can do to stop them.

Rooney rarely gives interviews but wanted to appear on a programme about Ronaldo. "He deserves to be voted World Footballer of the Year and I hope he is," says Rooney. "He has been booed around the country for various reasons but has shown everyone how good he is. English fans only boo good players so that’s a sign of respect really. I think the supporters are secretly happy he is in the English league.

"He has signed a new contract now, although we think part of the deal was to have a mirror in the dressing room so he can look at himself all the time!"

If Ronaldo seals his incredible season with a Wembley goal, you can expect him to glance up at ".

The death of his father, Dinis, in 2005 is the one issue that, even now, Ronaldo can only skirt around rather than address directly.

In Portugal, it is widely known that Dinis suffered a chronic liver condition due to heavy drinking and Ronaldo, who was very close to his father, invested time and money seeking the best treatment for him.

Unlike on the football pitch, it was a battle Ronaldo could not win and in September 2005,while on international duty in Russia, he received the shattering news from Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari that his father had died.

Scolari recalls: "I was told first what had happened and knew it was my responsibility to tell Ronaldo. As you can expect, it was a very bad moment. He was heartbroken.

"We talked and talked. I spoke quietly about the time I lost my father and as we spoke he calmed down. He decided to play the match against Russia rather than fly back to Portugal immediately. I now think Ronaldo is not just the best player in the world, but the best person, too."

Millions watching television in Portugal tonight will undoubtedly agree.

Family comes first for the boy named after a President

Cristiano Ronaldo has used his fortune and fame to help the people who mean most to him — his mother, Dolores, brother,Hugo, and sisters Elma and Catia.

As the Planeta Ronaldo documentary shows, the family are extremely close and Ronaldo has encouraged and helped them since he signed for Manchester United in 2003 and even more so since the death of his father, Dinis, in 2005.

"My mother was a cook who worked hard all her life," he said. "The first thing I did after signing for United was to call her and say she didn’t have to work ever again."

Catia said: "He is an amazing brother. He calls his family every day and about 30 of us spend Christmas with him in Manchester.

"Growing up in Madeira,we had a comfortable home, but it wasn’t big. Cristiano shared a bedroom with Hugo and the two girls shared another bedroom. Now there is plenty of room for everyone, sometimes too much room!

"Cristiano bought me a watch last Christmas but I find it difficult to buy him things because he has them already.He likes simple family presents really, so last time I got him a framed picture of my six-year-old son Rodrigo. He is a very proud uncle!"

Ronaldo is the youngest of four and while Catia, 29, is forging a career as a pop singer for herself under the stage-name Ronalda, elder sister Elma is also using her brother’s fame. She is opening a clothes shop in Madeira called CR7, after Ronaldo’s initials and shirt number at United. Hugo, meanwhile, plays lowerdivision football in Madeira.

The one topic Planeta Ronaldo does not touch upon is the subject of the star’s love life. Ronaldo has been linked with a series of women, including Hollyoaks actress Gemma Atkinson and Spanish TV anchorwoman Merche Romero but he has been reluctant to discuss his private life.

Catia also explained why Ronaldo was named.

"Ronald Reagan was always in the news at the time he was born and my Dad thought the name sounded a bit different," she said.

"It wasn’t because he had any opinion on if he was a good president — they just liked the name!"

Ferguson one of the greats for Larsson

Manchester United’s FA Cup secret weapon, Henrik Larsson, cannot believe the passion Sir Alex Ferguson still has for the game after 20 years at Old Trafford.

Larsson will be hoping United beat Chelsea to win the Cup at Wembley on Saturday after he scored in their third-round win over Aston Villa and played in every round up to the quarterfinal during a loan spell at Old Trafford.

The Swedish striker, now back at Helsingborgs after his 10-week spell in Manchester, admitted he was taken aback by the enthusiasm Ferguson showed for the game.

He said: "I didn’t work with him for long but I still regard him as one of the best three coaches I ever worked with, alongside Wim Jansen and Martin O’Neill.

"I couldn’t believe the passion he still has for the game. He has had the same job for the last 20 years, but it was fantastic to see the enthusiasm.

"The way he handled the players and spoke with the players was something that I really, really appreciated. It was something special."

Larsson makes his affection for Ferguson clear in an interview in the FA Cup Final programme.

He said: "Coming to United was a fantastic experience. Sir Alex Ferguson the man is well known throughout football. I heard a lot of things before I met him and it was all true.

"His passion about the game is incredible. He doesn’t like losing and he is a fantastic boss."

Ferguson’s loan signing of 35-year-old Larsson at the start of the year was seen as a masterstroke.

The Swede scored three goals in 10 starts and helped Ferguson bring the best out of Wayne Rooney.

United have said they will give him a medal to mark his contribution to their Premiership title-winning campaign, even though he did not play the required amount of games for an official medal.

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Amazing feeling....

Get Your Rudebox!!
To be champions now, after ten months of work, is amazing. Everyone at the club is very happy, the staff, the players... everyone. I am very proud. I feel great.

I was at home on Sunday, watching the Arsenal-Chelsea game with my friends and family. It was very exciting. I was very nervous during the game but afterwards I opened a bottle with my friends. I called some of the players to ask what we should do, then everyone met up and it was a great night.

This feeling, this experience of being champions in England is amazing and we want to win it again next season.

Now that we are champions, there will be no pressure when we go to Chelsea so we'll enjoy the game.

The only pressure now is for the FA Cup final. We have a great chance to win the Double. Everybody in the dressing room has worked for this and wants to win it. Then we can go on holiday and rest after a great season.

From MUTV

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."

Cover Boy

You signed a new deal last month; how pleased are you about that?
I am pleased that everything is sorted now. I beliieve i am at the right club and i am really happy here. The big reason I wanted to stay is to win trophyies and because im enjoying playing in this team. The spirit is amazing at this club and everyone is playing with confidence.

How do you manage to cope with all the speculation?
I dont think about it, I have spoken to David Gill, the gaffer and my agent and everything is OK. The media can say what they want, its normal. But the boss knows that I want to stay here. The deal is done now and everything is complete, I want people to know that i want to stay.

What do you think has been the big difference in everything coming together for you this season?
Every season i try to improve and I have learned alot this season, but i think playing alongside the great players like Giggsy, Scholesy and Wayne [Rooney] has made me a better player. I am more consistent and i understand the game alot better. I am only 22 but i feel much more mature now.

You took alot of critisism after the World Cup. Did that make you more focused?
It helped. There were times when it was difficult bit it helped me learn and it is better to learn when you are young. I gained alot from the World cup and it made me stronger mentally when i came back. I knew it would be difficult but I said to myself "I am ready for this" and i just wanted to do my best.

How did you cope with all the flak?
Some of it wasnt very nice but i never saw it as a problem. The opinion of the UNited fans was most important for me and they have been amazing this season, not just towards me but the whole team. It's a special feeling to have all those supporters behind you and it is why they are the best supporters in the world.

How have Sir Alex and Carlos Queiroz helped your game?
The boss and carlos have been great with me. It is good to have carlos here because he speaks my language. But sir alex always supports me, too. He has helped me more than i could ask him to. I am at this club for him and because of him.

You get alot of freedom to express your skills on the pitch here...
I always want to express myself on the pitch and sir alex gives me the opportunity and encouragement to do that. He says to me "Cristiano do what you do best-use your skills" He gives me big confidence to use my skills to create goals.

The manager has been joking with you-even betting with you-about getting more goals;what has made the difference this term?
This season i have tried to get into the box more, to be more direct. I have also tried to have more shots on goal and this is the reason i have scored more goals. The bet is not really serious, but everyone talks about it alot!

You've scored plenty of good goals this season, which is your favourite?
I was really pleased with the one against fulham. I think it was a great goal. BUt what i like best about it was that it was an important goal for the team because it came in the last few moments of the game and we won.

We're the Champion !

Sir Alex Ferguson used his press conference on Monday to heap more praise on his title-winning team and ponder additions to it in the summer.

"This title is the team's greatest achievement to date simply because it's a relatively new team and really it's their first attempt at winning a title together," said Sir Alex.

"That's why we're all encouraged, I think this team will get better."

As for the prospect of players being added to the champions in the summer, Sir Alex said: "We have outlined three targets (ourselves) and David Gill is aware of them.

"We identify players as quietly as we can so we can do things quickly, because when there is competition, it costs. Chelsea paid £27m for Michael Essien. They can outbid us all." Read more

MU 1:0 Man.City...CR put MU in sight of title

Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty left Manchester United with one hand on the Premiership trophy as his side earned a crucial 1-0 win at crisis-ridden Manchester City on Saturday.

Ronaldo scored from the spot on 34 minutes to notch his 23rd goal of the season after he had been tripped by Michael Ball.

It was the perfect response from United in the wake of their humbling 3-0 Champions League semi-final defeat to AC Milan in midweek -- losing 5-3 on aggregate -- and increased their lead over Chelsea at the top of the table to eight points.

United will be crowned champions for the 16th time unless Chelsea beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The writing was on the wall for Manchester City -- who are subject to two rival takeover bids and also had to suspend their star midfielder Joey Barton following a training ground altercation with French colleague Ousmane Dabo -- once they had fallen behind as Stuart Pearce's side finished their home campaign having scored just once at Eastlands in the Premiership since New Year's Day.

But City still contrived to miss a penalty 10 minutes from time when Darius Vassell saw his spot kick saved by Edwin van Der Sar after Wes Brown had tripped Ball.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was able to recall influential defender Rio Ferdinand, badly missed in the San Siro, while Alan Smith was recalled in attack alongside Wayne Rooney.

Eastlands' biggest crowd of the season generated a tremendous atmosphere, not least because the home side could hammer a huge dent in United's title aspirations.

This was arguably the greatest incentive of all for the majority of the 47,000 inside the ground, but in order to do this City would have to end their woeful home goal drought.

Ball was guilty of a nasty stamp on Ronaldo in the opening minutes, which combined with Ferguson's irate reaction towards a linesman did little to ease the tension as it became evident United were not going to have things all their own way.

Pearce's decision to select a five man midfield did little to enhance his side's chances of scoring, but the purpose was to stifle the forward runs of Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs and Ronaldo.

United had to wait 20 minutes for their first opening, Ferdinand finding Ronaldo with a precise ball but his control let him down.

Moments later Ronaldo flicked Giggs's corner to the back post where Ferdinand was waiting, but his header back rebounded off the crossbar and was gratefully gathered by Andreas Isaksson.

The home team were happy to sit back and try and hit their opponents on the counter attack.

Emile Mpenza stung the palms of van Der Sar with a powerful turn and volley on 16 minutes, while Demarcus Beasley did the same with a similar effort from the edge of the penalty area 13 minutes later.

Just when United's frustrations were beginning to surface, however, the breakthrough came when Ball's outstretched foot was enough to send Ronaldo crashing to the turf.

Referee Rob Styles pointed to the spot, from where the Portugal international lashed a clinical penalty into the bottom corner to secure the advantage.

His strike was to prove more than enough as the visitors cruised through the second half without their lead being threatened.

Pearce threw on Trevor Sinclair and Paul Dickov in a bid to give home fans a goal to cheer but it made no difference.

City's last chance came when Brown was penalised for a colllison with Ball. Vassell drove his penalty down the middle but van der Sar, diving the wrong way, managed to save the shot with his legs.

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.

MU 0 : 3 AC Milian

United were dumped out of the Champions League as AC Milan outclassed the Reds on a miserable evening in the San Siro. First-half goals from Kaka and Clarence Seedorf, and a late strike from Alberto Gilardino, gave the Rossoneri a 3-0 win and earned the Italians a spot alongside Liverpool in the Champions League final.... Read more

Cantona : CR just like me

Eric Cantona is backing Cristiano Ronaldo to fire Manchester United past AC Milan in tonight's Champions League semifinal.

Old Trafford legend Cantona said: "Ronaldo wasn't scoring goals last year. You had the feeling that side did not interest him. Something was missing. He has been scoring since then and is another player - a world-class one."

Cantona sees the Portuguese winger as a fitting heir to the No 7 shirt. The Frenchman added: "If I had a 51 per cent chance of scoring, I tried. If the team had the 51 per cent chance, I passed the ball.

"Ronaldo and me are not very far from one another on that level. But we are different in style - he carries the ball more."

Long way to go

A humble Cristiano Ronaldo admits he still is a long way from matching the likes of former Manchester United midfielder David Beckham and Barcelona's Ronaldinho on the world stage.

The Manchester United wing ace told DT: "People compare me with Beckham and Ronaldinho, but I still have a long way to go in order to do everything that Beckham achieved with Manchester United, or to play like Ronaldinho does with Barca.

"Everybody talks about other No7s at Manchester United, like (Eric) Cantona, (Bryan) Robson and (George) Best. But I cannot be compared with them.

"I took this No7, a number of great tradition at Manchester United and I am proud to wear it."