News about Cristiano Ronaldo
Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo will come face to faceJuly 30, 2006
Feuding Manchester United team-mates Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo will come face to face tomorrow for the first time since their World Cup bust-up.
Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson expects peace to be declared with a handshake as the pair get together again for pre-season duty.
They could even be pitched into action straight away tomorrow night, sparking a media and crowd frenzy for United's otherwise run-of-the-mill local derby friendly against lowly Macclesfield.
Fergie last night confirmed Rooney would play after watching a depleted United side go down 2-1 at Preston.
Rooney has been pestering his manager for a game since returning to training last Monday.
The England striker has been champing at the bit to get back since his World Cup dream ended in disgrace with his controversial red card against Portugal - and Ronaldo fingered with the blame by furious English fans and media.
But master of the mind games Fergie has been holding fired-up Rooney back for the psychologically significant return of Ronaldo.
Rooney has already publicly cleared his clubmate of guilt for his sending off, after infamously shoving Ronaldo for demanding action over his stamp on Portuguese rival Carvalho as England crashed out in Germany.
Now Ferguson is hoping the sight of the two together again on the same training ground, and ready to line up side by side, will send out the powerful message of a United front for the new season.
Ronaldo's Old Trafford future still hangs in the balance over fears he could become a hate figure for rival fans and reported interest from Real Madrid.
But his chances of a move there may have been ironically dashed by Ruud van Nistelrooy's switch to the Spanish giants after the Dutch striker's hugely public fallout with Ferguson was sparked by another in-house clash - with Ronaldo.
With £15million Michael Carrick set to be unveiled at Old Trafford tomorrow, it all adds up to the most momentous day in United's summer so far.
Ronaldo handed security team?
July 30, 2006
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to be given a personal security team when he makes his return to pre-season training with Manchester United on Monday.
The Portuguese international infuriated England fans for the part he played in Wayne Rooney's sending-off at the World Cup finals earlier this summer.
Ronaldo is expecting a rough reception after rushing to referee Horacio Elizondo after Rooney stamped on Ricardo Carvalho and was then caught winking at the Portugal bench after his Old Trafford team-mate was dismissed.
United are also concerned that the winger could be a target for England fans and The People claim that they are launching a major security operation.
They say that the 21-year-old will be shadowed by a dedicated team of minders as soon as he jets back into Manchester Airport on Sunday.
Rooney has already stated that he bears no ill-feelings to Ronaldo but the paper claims that he and senior players at United such as Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand are against the idea of the pair posing for a handshake photo opportunity.
Man Utd star Ronaldo's nightmare revealed
July 30, 2006
The future at Manchester United of Cristiano Ronaldo remains in doubt today after reports of death threats.
Portuguese newspaper Record reports Ronaldo believes he will have "to leave" United after the fall-out from his blow-up with Wayne Rooney during the World Cup.
Ronaldo says he "wants to play in Spain" and "for either Real Madrid or Barcelona".
The newspaper says Ronaldo's home was ransacked by a group of vandals, which saw some of his furniture damaged. The winger also received death threats over the phone and by letter.
A source says Ronaldo's niece was also harassed when identified as being part of his family.
Valencia president admits Cristiano Ronaldo interest
24 July 2006
Valencia president Juan Soler admits the club have asked Manchester United to name their price for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Soler, who today unveiled close season signings Fernando Morientes and Asier Del Horno from Liverpool and Chelsea respectively, now wants to stage a third raid on the Premiership.
“I have always said it will be difficult,” said Soler. “But nothing is impossible.
“Until they tell us no several times we will not give up. At the moment it’s a priority for our technical department and we have until August 31 (when the transfer window closes).”
The Portugal international winger has been linked with Real Madrid and has previously expressed a desire to play in Spain.
“First we will negotiate with the English club and then the player,” said Soler.
Meanwhile, Morientes, who missed out on a place in Spain’s World Cup squad after a disappointing campaign with Liverpool, told club website www.valenciacf.es: “I don’t want to dwell on the past, but instead to work with my new team.
“Now I am at a different club and must change my tune.”
Del Horno, who won the Premiership with Chelsea last year, missed the World Cup through injury.
He said: “It’s been a great year. Playing in England has developed me as a player and now I can look forward to playing in the Champions League and the Primera Liga.”
Cristiano Ronaldo not for sale, say Manchester United
Portugal's World Cup winger Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale, his English club Manchester United said on Wednesday.
"The club can confirm there is no possibility of Cristiano being sold," United said in a statement. "Cristiano recently signed a new contract until 2010 and the club fully expects him to honour that contract," the statement posted on United's official Web site said.
"The club will not listen to any offers for Cristiano."
British newspapers have speculated that Ronaldo might want a move away after at least partially blaming the 21-year-old for the sending-off of his club team mate Wayne Rooney in Portugal's World Cup quarter-final against England.
Media speculation
Newspapers have also linked Ronaldo with a move to Real Madrid, quoting the Spanish giants' new coach Fabio Capello as being interested in the 21-year-old.
"Manchester United has noted the increasing media speculation over the future of Cristiano Ronaldo," the statement continued.
"Cristiano is one of the brightest young stars in world football as demonstrated by his performances at the World Cup and Manchester United is not in the business of selling their best young players."
Portugal beat England on penalties, then lost their semi-final 1-0 to France.
MUM: MY RON WILL GO TO UTD
17 July 2006
Cristiano Ronaldo's mom Maria Dolores, 46, has said her son will be returning to Manchester United.
The Portuguese star's Premiership career had been in doubt following the outcry over the part he played in the World Cup sending-off of team-mate Wayne Rooney.
But Ronaldo had told his mum he will definitely be going back to Old Trafford.
Speaking outside her house in Funchal, on the Portuguese island of Madeira, Maria Dolores said: "When he has to present himself at Manchester he will be there.
"He will be there with all the players on the first day. He has a contract with the club and he is going to honour it."
Ronaldo became an instant hate figure on July 1 when his wink at the Portugal bench after Rooney's red card was seen on TV.
The 21-year-old's £3million house in Woodford, Cheshire, was twice attacked by yobs.
But Maria Dolores insisted Cristiano has put it all behind him. She went on: "Of course he was upset about people's reactions and what happened at his house, but now he is OK. I'm happy he is going back."
Rubbishing Alan Shearer's suggestion that Rooney might "stick one on him" at training, she added: "They are still friends."
On Saturday, the Mirror revealed Rooney had said he was looking forward to playing alongside Ronaldo again.
And yesterday, in extracts from his autobiography, Rooney said he was disappointed in Ronaldo's behaviour, but that was as far as it went - and he even texted him to say there were no hard feelings.
With fans expected to heap abuse on Ronaldo in the new season, a move to Spain had been on the cards - with Real Madrid or Barcelona his favoured destinations. But his mum said: "What player wouldn't want to play for Real or Barcelona? But at the moment he is at Manchester so he is going to stay at Manchester."
Manchester United said on Wednesday: "There is no chance of Cristiano being sold."
When Ronaldo was quizzed on his future as he left a restaurant in Madeira, he said: "I say nothing to you, my friends."
Honour for Cristiano Ronaldo
Saturday, July 15, 2006
LISBON : Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo was honoured in his hometown of Funchal with a medal awarded to individuals who have distinguished themselves through their professions or actions.
The head of the Madeira island regional government, Alberto Joao Jardim, gave the Manchester United winger the medal on Thursday at a ceremony at the local city hall.
``It's a great honour for Madeira to have a young man like Cristiano Ronaldo and a great honour for the regional government to welcome Madeira's most famous man,'' Jardim said. — AP
Ronaldo: It is very difficult for me to return to Manchester
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Cristiano Ronaldo said Saturday that it was very unlikely that he would play for the Premiership club in the new season.
"It is very difficult for me to return to Manchester," he said after Portugal's 3-1 defeat against Germany in the Third Place play- off match played in Stuttgart on Saturday evening.
And Italy coach Marcello Lippi has dismissed speculation about a move to Manchester United after the World Cup. "There is nothing to it. You will see where I will be in a fortnight, but definitely not in Manchester, Lippi told a news conference on the eve of Italy's World Cup final against France.
Ronaldo had been booed by English fans during his country's penalty shoot-out victory against England in the quarter-finals.
vHe was accused by fans of getting England striker Wayne Rooney sent off by demanding a red card for his Manchester United team-mate after he had trampled on a Portugal player.
"I have not done anything wrong, but the fans are against me. It is difficult to play in a country where the fans do not really want you and I do not think I can return there," said.
In the Lippi case, English daily The Sun and Italy's La Gazzetta Dello Sport reported Friday that Lippi, 58, would move to Manchester United to work alongside and possibly succeed Alex Ferguson as manager at Old Trafford.
Ferguson may step down in 2007 after two decades at the club. Lippi, for his part, has so far not spoken in public about his future after the World Cup.
Manchester United also dismissed the reports, with a spokesman quoted by the club website as saying: "There is no truth in the story about Lippi coming to Old Trafford. We are happy with our coaching set-up."
Gerrard slams Ronaldo's behaviour Monday, 03 July 2006 3:37
Steven Gerrard has lashed out at Cristiano Ronaldo
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has slammed Portuguese mindielder Cristiano Ronaldo behaviour, claiming he was 'disgusted' by the role he played in Wayne Rooney's sending off on Saturday.
In the second half of Saturday's match with England, Ronaldo rushed 40 metres to the referee, apparently to demand a card for Rooney who had battled his way through two players and trod on Ricardo Carvalho's groin as he tried to disentangle himself.
Rooney was sent off by Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo and Ronaldo was captured by TV cameras winking at his bench as the England forward walked off the pitch.
'If it was one of my team-mates I would be absolutely disgusted with him,' said Gerrard. 'I saw Ronaldo going over to the ref and giving him the card - he was bang out of order.
'Winking at the bench and his team-mates sums him up as a person.
'If I was playing against a Liverpool team-mate and they were involved in a situation like that I would never try and get them sent off.'
Monday, 26 June 2006 - Portugal upbeat on Ronaldo injury
Portugal remain hopeful Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit to face England in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final.
The Manchester United winger picked up a thigh injury after he was tackled by Holland defender Khalid Boulahrouz in Portugal's 1-0 win over the Dutch.
Portugal team doctor Henrique Jones said: "Ronaldo has had a scan, he's got muscular swelling in his thigh.
"He could begin to run on Wednesday and train on Thursday or Friday. We're hopeful he will recover."
Highlights: Portugal 1-0 Holland
Ronaldo, who was in tears when he came off in the first half of the win over Holland because of the injury, is desperate to play against England. "It is a special match because I play in England," he said. "I've been there for three years and I hope we can win.
"I've got a blue mark after the hit on my thigh. Let's see how it develops."
20 October 2005 : Ronaldo rape allegation 'fantasy'
Manchester United footballer Cristiano Ronaldo's agent has strongly denied a claim that the player raped a woman in a London hotel. The Portuguese international was released on Wednesday night after being questioned about a claim that a woman was sexually assaulted on 2 October.
Jorge Mendes said in a statement that the allegation was the "product of imagination and fantasy".
Police confirmed a man in his 20s had been released pending more inquiries.
Penthouse suite
Mr Mendes said the accusation was "totally and categorically repudiated" and that "investigations will demonstrate, these charges are not based on any credible facts".
Ronaldo, 20, voluntarily went to a police station in Manchester and was arrested by officers from the Metropolitan Police's specialist Sapphire team.
He was questioned for several hours about allegations made by a woman that she was raped in the penthouse suite of a hotel the day after Manchester United played Fulham.
A man in his 30s also kept an appointment at the police station, but has not been arrested.
Cristiano Ronaldo set a world record transfer fee for a teenager when Manchester United paid £12.24m for him in August 2003.
He suffered criticism from the British press in his first few months at Old Trafford for his over-elaborate stepovers when trying to beat a man.
But Ronaldo has since become a firm favourite with the United supporters.
His pace and quick feet marked the Maderia-born youngster out at an early age and he was fast tracked into Portugal's youth sides.
He made a big impression playing for the Under-21 side and was handed his full international debut a week signing for Manchester United.
19 October 2005 : Man Utd's Ronaldo in rape arrest !!!!
Manchester United footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has been released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of rape.
Scotland Yard confirmed a man in his 20s has been released pending further inquiries into the allegation.
The Portuguese international was questioned about claims a woman was sexually assaulted at a central London hotel on 2 October.
Manchester United said it was "not commenting at the moment".
Ronaldo, 20, attended the station and was arrested by officers from the Metropolitan Police's specialist Sapphire team.
He was held in custody while being interviewed about allegations made by a woman that she was raped in the penthouse suite of a hotel the day after Manchester United played Fulham.
A man in his 30s also kept an appointment at the police station, but has not been arrested.
BBC crime correspondent Neil Bennett said normal procedure was for the police to interview the alleged victim and alleged perpetrator and send a file to the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether anyone should be charged.
