Arsenal’s Gael Clichy thinks Ronaldo is the best he’s ever played against.
“Collectively, United are very strong and they have players that can individually make the difference like Cristiano Ronaldo.
“He is the best player I’ve ever played against. He is quick, skilful and clever.
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Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal defeated Belgium 4-0 in their Euro 2008 qualifier on Saturday (March 27) in Lisbon.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 2nd and 4th goal for Portugal, and was influential throughout the match. Fellow winger Ricardo Quaresma had a good game too, in fact I think he should be Man of the Match… it’s a tough call between Quaresma and Ronaldo.
For sure though, the goal of the match was from Quaresma…
Thanks to weskerq8 for the video.
European football’s governing body UEFA is to launch an investigation into the reported comments from goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen that his Belgium team-mates would “have to attack [Cristiano] Ronaldo so much that he will have to leave the pitch” in their forthcoming match against Portugal.
Belgium are due to face the tricky winger in a Euro 2008 qualifier on Saturday and the quotes appeared in an article looking forward to the tie in one of the country’s regional papers. The Portuguese Football Federation have moved quickly to protect their star, requesting that Uefa look into the allegations immediately.
“We have received a complaint from the Portuguese FA and we will start an investigation into the matter,” a UEFA spokesman confirmed.
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Cristiano Ronaldo is on track to surpass Ronaldinho as the best player in the world, according to Manchester United’s skills development coach Rene Meulensteen.
The Dutch coaching expert claims Ronaldo`s courage to try new things on the pitch and willingness to learn will see the Portuguese winger overtake the Brazilian.
Meulensteen, who has worked with Ronaldo from when he first joined United, said in his column on www.manutd.com: “He`s got the same attributes as Ronaldinho, a complete range of skills, and he`s heading very swiftly to becoming the best player in the world.
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Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate has backed up Cristiano Ronaldo’s assertion that he did not dive to win the penalty that jettisoned Middlesbrough from the FA Cup at Old Trafford on Monday (March 19).
Ronaldo tumbled to the turf after faint contact from the centre-half as he sprinted to the byline with 15 minutes of the sixth-round tie remaining, the second spot-kick he has won against Boro this season and a fall that enraged members of the visitors’ backroom staff.
“It was a decision which went against us but Cristiano Ronaldo is clever,” said Woodgate. “It’s not nice to be beaten 1-0 by a penalty, but I don’t think Ronaldo dived so you can’t put the blame on him. Ronaldo is a fantastic player. There is a touch of genius in him and he lights up the Premiership. I’ve no idea if it was a penalty or not. I couldn’t honestly tell myself. I’ll have to see it again and then I’ll judge it.”
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“I am too good!”
This is the interview after Manchester United’s victory against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup quarter final replay. It’s reported that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was not too happy with the interview; not sure if he’s unhappy about the interviewer or Ronaldo though. later reports confirmed that SAF was not happy at the questions asked by the interviewer.
Thanks to xKazDaGr81x for the video.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a 76th minute penalty to lead Manchester United into the English FA Cup semi-finals.
Ronaldo might have won some controversial penalties in his career, but there’s no mistake from the referee’s decision in this match. There’s clear contact from Middlesbrough’s defender Jonathan Woodgate, and although some suggested that Ronaldo fell rather easily… it’s a penalty, period.
The penalty created controversies as Middlesbrough players strongly protest against it, but they could do nothing to stop Ronaldo from scoring from the spot.
The rough challenge from James Morris on Ronaldo late in the match sparked more tension between the team, with Morris rightly sent off.
It’s not an easy game for United; they were forced to work hard right from kick-off. Middlesbrough showed great determination, but United clearly had more chances and should blame themselves for not killing the game much earlier.
Manchester United will be playing Watford in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Video clips of Ronaldo and another exciting Portuguese young soccer star, Ricardo Quaresma.
Thanks to danilocfuganti for the video.