Cristiano proud of season

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RM 2:0 Valencia; Cristiano scored again

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

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

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

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

We are still alive

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RM 0:2 Barcelona

“I am sure we are going to win”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RM 2:0 Santander

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RM 3:2 Althleico Madrid

RM 4:2 Getafe; Cristiano double

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain both scored twice as Real Madrid went back to the top of the Spanish League with a 4-2 win at Getafe on Thursday, replacing Barcelona on goal difference.

It was a 10th successive league victory for Real with three goals in the first 23 minutes wrapping up the game as the Madrid giants steamrolled their neighbours.

Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 13th minute, curling in a superb free-kick from close range before Argentine striker Higuain marked a century of games with a double inside three minutes to take his season’s tally to 22.

Portuguese star Ronaldo grabbed his second, and 17th of the season, on 37 minutes to make it 4-0 before Real old boy Daniel Parejo pulled a goal back for the hosts in a goal-packed first period.

The Coliseum had been a difficult venue for Real over the years, losing 3-1 there last season.

But there was no chance of a repeat horror show when Real surged into a four-goal first half lead.

“It was a good result that had not been good to us in the past and we are now back at the top,” said Real coach Manuel Pellegrini.

“We reduced our level of intensity in the second half due to the proximity of the derby (on Sunday) and to avoid yellow cards.”

A foul right on the edge of the area gave Ronaldo a sight on goal and the former Manchester United man planted a pinpoint free-kick into the corner for a 13th minute opener.

Higuain then got himself on the scoresheet latching on to a Rafael van der Vaart pass before finishing smartly on 20 minutes.

Getafe were shocked when the Argentine scored again three minutes later for his 22nd goal of the season, three goals behind Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in the goalscoring charts.

Esteban Granero and Sergio Ramos spurned chances for Real before Ronaldo scored an individual goal with several step-overs before rifling a shot into the net although goalkeeper Oscar Ustari should have done better.

At 4-0 the game was up although Getafe pulled a goal back a minute later through Parejo following a mistake from Iker Casillas.

Casillas flapped at the ball and tried to atone for his mistake by racing out of his goal but Parejo slid to take the ball and leave the Spanish international goalkeeper in pain on the floor.

Parejo slotted the ball in despite pleas to put the ball out with Casillas on the ground injured.

The Spain captain was furious and refused to accept Parejo’s hand of apology after the goal.

Predictably the second half failed to match the excitement of the action-packed first period with Getafe raising their game after a dreadful first 45 minutes while Real went off the boil.

The hosts pulled a second goal back on 80 minutes when a deflected shot fell to Pedro Leon who made no mistake from close range.

RM 3:1 Gijon

Sporting positioned themselves well on the pitch and made things hard for Real Madrid, even managing to score the opener. But the Whites fought back and dominated the match, eventually turning the score around and winning 3-1.

Real Madrid had many chances on goal in the first half. Higuain had several, first trying to head in a pass from Marcelo (8′), then missing his mark with a crossed shot with his right foot following a 30-metre assist (33’), and finally coming close to scoring from outside the box after receiving the ball with his back to the goal and turning on himself (44’). Goalkeeper Juan Pablo was inspired and thwarted a great shot by Ronaldo (33’).

Manuel Pellegrini realised the match was beginning to resemble the first leg clash between both sides (which ended in a draw) and decided to bring Guti on for Lass. Real Madrid had their first chance to score in the second half two minutes after half-time when Higuain assisted Van der Vaart with a cross into the box, but the Dutchman’s shot went over the crossbar.

Sporting scored six minutes later and Real Madrid were forced to make a comeback. Following a series of set pieces, Van der Vaart scored an equaliser taking advantage of the clearance Juan Pablo had been forced to make from a shot by Ronaldo (55’). Four minutes later, Ronaldo tried to head in the ball following a corner kick by Granero. The ball failed to go in, but Xabi Alonso finished the play off successfully, also with a header (59’). Higuain sealed the victory with a tight and brilliant shot with his left foot (67’). Gago came in for Granero in the final minutes of the match.

Angry

Real Madrid GM Jorge Valdano wasn't surprised by the angry reaction Cristiano Ronaldo had against Valladolid's players during their win yesterday.

Ronaldo was visibly furious over the attention he received from Valladolid's defenders on the night.

But Valdano said: "You must analyze how Cristiano is treated by the opposition. He answers as a proud player who wants to win, with courage and a strong personality. He is one of the best the world. And he's very strong.

"It is difficult to hurt him. He takes great care and trains very well. He needs everyone's support."

RM 4:1 Valladolid; Cristiano scoring in five consecutive weeks

Cristiano Ronaldo's goal against Valladolid at the Jose Zorrilla Stadium allowed him to emulate his own best goal scoring streak in a league competition. The Portuguese player has netted strikes consecutively against Xerez, Villarreal, Tenerife, Sevilla and Valladolid. By scoring against Sporting Gijon next week, he will break his own personal mark.

Ronaldo netted strikes in five consecutive weeks during one of his seasons at Manchester United, against Derby County, Bolton, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough. He tallied 42 goals in total that year, winning the Golden Boot, the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player awards.

The Portuguese star is Real Madrid's current top scorer, having netted strikes in all of the competitions the team has participated in this season. He is the squad's second top striker in La Liga behind Higuain.

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.

RM 1:1 Lyon and falls eliminated from the Champions League

He could be Real Madrid tried everything but could not be. In the end Real Madrid 1 - Olympique Lyon 1 in Lyon's 1-0 trip to Real Madrid falls eliminated from the Champions League.

Cristiano Ronaldo tried everything, even had a goal quickly to deft pass from Guti. But Real Madrid despite a very good first half, where missed opportunities, failed to win at Lyon.

Cristiano's new Nike Adv

RM 3:2 Sevilla

Real Madrid celebrated their 108th anniversary with a tremendous victory over Sevilla that put them at the very top of the league table. The Whites came back from an initial 2-0 defeat to end up winning the match 3-2.

Real Madrid depended on themselves to become league leaders at the start of the match, but Sevilla didn’t make things easy for them and wanted to dominate from the start. The visitors scored the opener in the first 10 minutes. Navas passed the ball to Capel following a run down the right wing. The latter’s shot on goal hit Xabi Alonso and subsequently ended at the back of Casillas’ net (9′).

Pellegrini’s men gradually started to dominnate the match. Marcelo had a chance in a one-on-one with Palop, Higuain had a shot on target that was saved by the keeper, so did Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo… Palop seemed unbeatable.

Sevilla scored a second goal after half-time from a free-kick taken by Dragutinovic (53′). Pellegrini made Van der Vaart and Guti come on for Arbeloa and Lass and things started to change. Ronaldo scored his team’s first goal with his left foot following a clearance by Palop (59’) and Ramos headed in a corner kick served by Van der Vaart a few minutes later (63’).

Guti took over in midfield and orchestrated the Whites’ bouts in attack. Higuain had several shots on target, but he hit the crossbar, the posts and one of the top corners of the goal. The Argentine’s persistence was incredible.

Sevilla fought back, but Ronaldo, Raul and Higuain kept trying to score a winning goal. Close to the end, Palop cleared a header by Higuain and Van der Vaart put the ball in from the floor, giving Real Madrid an epic victory that makes them leaders of La Liga.

Portugal 2:0 China

Goals in each half from Hugo Almeida and Liedson gave Portugal a 2-0 win over China in a pre-World Cup friendly on Wednesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo, playing his first game for Portugal after missing three matches through injury, counter-attacked down the left flank and sent over a low cross for Almeida to sidefoot home in the 36th minute.

Liedson added Portugal’s second in the last minute, deflecting a Joao Moutinho shot into the net.

RM 5:1 Tenerife; 100 League goals for Cristiano

Real Madrid earned a crucial victory at Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez Stadium on Saturday eight years after their last visit. The Whites displayed magical football against a Tenerife side that gave them a lot of room to play open, vertical football. Gonzalo Higuain scored a brace and Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul followed suit with one goal apiece. With the win, Real Madrid set a new club record for the most points earned over the first 24 weeks of play.

Higuain is the poster child of efficiency. The Argentine forward needed just two shots to add another two goals to his season tally; the first with his left foot and the second with his right. Two moves that did away with the suffocating pressure applied by Tenerife, who knew that their only chance of pulling off the upset was by leaving it all on the pitch.

The first of the night was a by-product of a steal by Marcelo along the left flank, followed by a Zidane-patented pirouette by the Brazilian and a brilliant pass to Higuain, who slipped the ball past the keeper. Tenerife almost pulled level with a shot by Nino, but Casillas was too quick to the ball. Higuain wasn’t done yet, and Garay’s cross found Pipita, who sent a shot across the grain and into the back of the net for his 14th goal in league play.

Tenerife struck back early in the second half when Ayoze headered home a ball that Casillas appeared to have a solid grasp on, but Real Madrid didn’t take long in answering. Kaka capitalized on an Higuain assist with shot that strayed away from Aragoneses’ legs. Higuain nearly had a hat-trick, but his lob caromed off the crossbar. Cristiano Ronaldo added his name to the score card with a penalty kick resulting from a handball by Luna, and Raul put the icing on the cake with a flick following a cross by Van der Vaart… A sheer display of might by the highest scoring team in Spanish football and a team that has set a new club record for points over the first 24 weeks of La Liga.

"I am sad about what my country is going through and I want to help any way I can"

Cristiano Ronaldo addressed the media after the team's victory over Villarreal and had words of support for his countrymen in Madeira.

"Madeira is where I grew up and where all my family is. I am worried. I couldn't believed it when I watched it on TV. I wish to help any way I can."

"The important thing about tonight's match is that we won and that the fans had fun. We are all happy about it. We had to respond and we did. This victory will help us gain confidence. I'm sure we will defeat Lyonnais."

"The match in Lyon belongs in the past. These things happen and we need to learn from them. We responded well. We played a good game tonight and we shouldn't think about what happened in France. We all win and lose together on this team."

"I pulled off a nice play with Higuain that he managed to finish off beautifully. Real Madrid always try to play like that."

"I am always motivated when I play for Real Madrid. Thank God things turned out well. I am happy for it."