Cristiano Ronaldo 101

Cristiano Ronaldo has reiterated he is happy at Manchester United and ‘would love to continue’ at Old Trafford.

The Portugal winger has been persistently linked with Real Madrid by the Spanish media and has not helped quell the speculation by announcing he would make a decision on his future shortly.

In an interview with Portuguese newspaper Publico, the 23-year-old confirmed he would like to play in Spain one day but that he is currently satisfied with life in England.

‘There is nothing certain at the moment,’ Ronaldo said. ‘The press always make stories about interest from other teams, not only from Madrid, also from Barcelona.

‘On one hand it’s good and means that they know your value as a player and think you can be a good reinforcement for other teams. But my head is in Manchester Because it is the club that, at the moment, puts me in the best condition and that I’m happy at.

‘Now, as I have said many times, only God knows the future. I have never hid from anyone that I would like to play in Spain one day. It’s a dream, but sometimes dreams don’t happen.

‘I can guarantee that I am happy at Manchester United and that I would love to continue.’

[Soccernet]

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres admits he’s been blown away by Cristiano Ronaldo this season.

The Spaniard says there’s nobody else like the Reds’ no.7 and thinks Ronaldo is good enough to tear apart Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final.

“He is so good he puts United on his shoulders and carries them in every game,” Torres said.

“Barcelona will have to cover him because he can give United a great chance to qualify for the final. If he feels comfortable and takes the game to the opposition, things will be complicated for Barca.”

Torres’ praise didn’t stop there, either. The 24-year-old, who’s scored 30 times for Liverpool in his first season in England, believes the winger is in a class of his own.

“Cristiano is at another level,” Torres said. “He’s above all other players in the world. He’s a complete player.”

[Manutd]

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo admits he is driven to be named the world’s greatest player.

The Portuguese ace missed on the prize last year finishing third behind Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Milan’s Kaka.

“The focus is on winning the Champions League and the Premier League. We have the opportunity to do that and we have the players,” Ronaldo told the News of the World.

“But of course it’s my aim to be the best in the world. I want to be the best in the world and that’s what I work towards every day.

“But only God knows whether I will one day manage to win that prize which is so important for me as a player.”

[Sky]

AC Milan Brazilian playmaker Kaka was named as FIFA’s World Player of the Year on Monday (Dec 17) ahead of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

World Player of the Year is picked from a poll by the coaches and captains of 165 national teams (they can’t vote for their team mates). This is Kaka’s 2nd major personal award in a month after winning the European Player of the Year.

AC Milan playmaker Kaka has been named European Player of the Year for 2007, with Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United in second place.

The Brazilian, 25, was the Champions League’s top scorer last season with 10 goals as he led his team to the title, beating Liverpool in Athens in the final.

He wins the Golden Ball after amassing 444 points in France Football’s survey of 96 journalists from around the world.

Each was asked to vote on a shortlist of 50 players and Ronaldo came a distant second with 277 points.

United winger Ronaldo, 22, was also in sensational form last term, scoring 25 goals in all for the Barclays Premier League club and Portugal.

Barcelona’s 20-year-old Argentina forward Lionel Messi came third in the vote after emerging as a world-class talent for club and country.

The same trio - Kaka, Ronaldo and Messi - have also been shortlisted for FIFA’s world player of the year award which will be announced in Zurich on December 17.