Whenever Cristiano Ronaldo is asked where he wants to be next season, his general response is something along the lines of: I am very happy here. I owe a lot to the manager. I have won lots of things here and I want to win more. But only God knows the future.
All this talk of God only started to really take precedence in the summer, when Ronaldo was set for a move to the Spanish giants. He’d flirted with the idea a couple of summers before, but last summer it was almost set in stone, as far as he was concerned anyway.
“I want to say that I was the one that was responsible for all this controversy,” after he confirmed he was staying. “It wasn’t their fault because it was me that said publicly that I wanted to move to Real Madrid. It was also me, although wholly unintentionally, that caused the friction between the two clubs. I knew that Real Madrid was interested in signing me and that they had, allegedly, made a very substantial offer to Manchester United. For a while, I wanted Manchester to accept the offer and for me to move to Madrid. If I denied it I would be deceiving everyone, including myself. I never hid the fact that I wanted to play in Spain, at Real Madrid in particular, and I thought this could be the right moment.”
Whilst I’m not Ronaldo’s biggest fan these days, even in the summer I made it clear I understood his position. I understand and respect his reasons for wanting to join Real Madrid. If I was a superstar at Real Madrid and Sir Alex Ferguson came knocking I’d be off in a heart beat, regardless of what Real had done for me.
My irritation came with the way he handled the situation. He said after the European Cup final that he was going to stay, then he said he didn’t know, then he kept telling us that an announcement would be made in a few days, and a week later, he’d say the same thing, then he joked about how he loved to play in white etc. It just all got a bit too much. He was like some spoilt kid who was enjoying the limelight and attention too much to think about us, the fans, who’d been singing his name week in week out and defending him to every one who’d had a go. So he’d have a laugh and a joke with the media, flirt with the idea of joining them, whilst not actually saying he wanted to go, but not actually saying he wanted to stay either.
But whatever, that’s all by the by now. Some fans have completely forgiven him, some fans are undecided, whilst others think he’s a complete twat. This article isn’t about our opinions on Ronaldo following last summer though, rather what we expect to come this summer.
It was only two weeks ago Ronaldo avoided the question of what would happen with a “I’m very happy in the present and only God knows the future” response. After watching Real Madrid get absolutely spanked by those twats down East Lancs Road, I will be entirely insulted if he actually wants to leave us for that pile of dross. Christ. Losing 5-0 on aggregate to Rafael Benitez’s merry men?
Gabby, get on the phone and tell Ronaldo just how great it feels to be a Real Madrid player tonight!
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Gabby is not a Real Madrid player Scott.He is a Liverpool player.He helped them a lot wouldn’t you say?Anyway,i don’t think Ronaldo’s decision has anything to do with Ch.League credentials.For all we know,we could be out as well tonight.I think that Ronaldo felt and still feels that Madrid is the place he wants to go for 3 reasons:
1)He felt that his time at United had come to an end since he won with them prety much everything.
2)He wanted to be closer to his home country.
3)He wanted to get away from disgraceful defenders like MIchael Ball and Steven Taylor who have him out on him.
Have any of these reasons disappeared?I am afraid not.Personally,i feel that the Ronaldo situation will re open this summer.Let’s just feel that we get a bit more hinesty from all parties this time.
It was a fantastic result for us last night, as we know we can beat all the english teams if it comes to it
i loved Real getting a real kicking, shame it had to come at the hands of that bunch of slapheads
6-0 on aggregate for us tonight
You’re right Scott, I was thinking the same last night. As much as I hate Liverpool wining anything at least this particular cloud has a silver lining – there’s no way Ronny will leave for Real now no matter how much they offer him. Judging by the state of that team they put out last night they are looking at a full rebuilding programme in the summer not just Ronny plus another signing – they need a need a new team and a manager, they were a fucking shambles and an insult to the Real of just a few years ago. I think its indicative of the state of most of the European leagues now, they’re all pretty bollocks really with one or two exceptions (Barcelona certainly but even their form has taken a dip recently).
I’m sure we’re going here that Liverpool played in a “glorious style reminescent of the old days” but its all bollocks for once in a european match they played high energy premiership style against a team that had absolutely no energy or guile. They’ll be building themselves up now for the weekend, good. They’ll come crashing down to earth when we fuck them over on Saturday.
Right I’m off to the bookies to put a bet on Sir Alex’s horse at Cheltenham today What A Friend in the RSA Chase. Then it’s Inter time.
costas, good one on the comments of gabby. he used to be one my my fav players, now he is totally shit/Poo/fool.
Costas, are the defenders in Spain any better, remember Villareal.
To be honest,yes they are better.Villarreal are the exception.Everyone knows that they are a particulary tough side due to their Argentine coach.I am not saying that he wouldn’t get bullied there as well but it wouldn’t be at the same rate.I remember another instance.The cup game against Boro 2 years ago.He does his partu tricks and that cunt Morrison blatantly hacks him down.He was that close to doing to him what happened to Eduardo.
Let me make it perfectly clear that i am not starting a debate of which country has the most fair playing defenders.Some might say that in England the defenders have more pride and don’t like someone doing his tricks on them,but from Ronaldo’s standpoint you can see why it might bother him.Of course,things are worse in Italy.
I agree certainly about Italy, but the abuse that Messi took against Real Madrid was awful as well.
That’s true but that’s a derby game isn’t it?It’s the equivilent of the United-Arsenal game(i say Arsenal instead of Liverpool because things with them have gotten messy in recent years).We should feel lucky that Ronaldo has had some close calls.The Ball stamp,along with the Morrison tackle and the Taylor arm swing could have been far worse for him.And sometimes he must wonder if it’s worth it.At the same time he is not helping himself with the way he is conducting himself.After the Eduardo incident i felt that the best way to deal with acts like this,is suspend the defender for the same amount of period that the victim will be out of action.
What happens if the players in question who is injured career is finished?
Also talking about Eduardo, no blame can be put on Taylor on that particular incident, that just football accidents happen.
I only saw the highlights of the Liverpool mauling of Real. Why would Ronaldo want to go there I don’t know. If that team played in the Premiership I don’t think they would be challenging for a Champions League place. Maybe we should not look at the history of such teams and play them as they are today – a poor excuse for the great Real teams of the past. Anyway if Ronaldo leaves United will cope. Look what happened when Eric retired years ago, did we go to pieces , no. Beckham left, Keane moved on, Scholsey and Giggs soon.. Need I saw more We will sign someone else or someone will come through the ranks and they will become the hero of the time. Thats football.
Play without fear against Inter and yet another quater-final beckons
@Red Dave I agree with you there… the more English teams through to the next round the better our chances are of taking the CL again…
I know it sounds harsh Stephen,that’s why i am talking about deliberate bad tackles.Taylor might have not had bad intentions but it’s stupid to go with your feet like that 2 minutes into a game.
IF/When Ronaldo leaves UTD it won’t be about money – or being nearer to home.
He will get paid by the bushel-load to stay at OldTrafford.
By private jet, I would imagine that the time/distance from Madrid to his island home is hardly much less than from Manchester. He might be “Portuguese” but his home is not on the mainland. So, we’re probably talking about a thirty-minute difference in flying-time.
IF/When Ronaldo goes to Madrid it will be because it represents his boyhood “dream” and the very fact that RM is in shambles would make that “dream” all the more compelling for someone who is “nice kind of arrogant” since he could imagine himself to be the knight on the white charger who will turn the club around.
denton- spot on but you just beat me to it. Was gonna say that Ronnie has the “arrogance” to believe he can turn the fascists around single handedly.
I personally don’t like to see any other English team get through and certainly don’t want all english semi finals (unless its the dippers) but on recent evidence European football is dead.
Costas, I can’t agree any defender would want to make his presence felt to establish a point to an attacker early in a game, especially against a top side when you are fighting relagation.
King Eric: “on recent evidence European football is dead.”
Not so fast, mate.
Liverpool appeared to have torn RM to shreds – they were just as good in Madrid but then they let Arjen Robben go to his left so it looked as if RM had a clue (i.e., never let Robben – or Adriano – go to their left side since they are one-legged players). Last night, I was astounded that Torres was not penalized for pulling his marker out of the way (Rodney Marsh might have said “pulled off” his marker but that’s another story). Then they got an absurd penalty decision. At that point, the players for Franco’sFascists were wondering about their flight plans. It reminded me of “that night” in Milan when Gabby Heinze – the common link ? – played cowboy in our penalty area and the game was over almost before it began.This is not to say that L’poo weren’t superior but it is to say that everything went their way last night.
Chel$ki did not dominate Juventus in either leg. But, fortunately for the RentBoyz, Claudio Ranieri continued to make bizarre coaching decisions. Why not start Amauri ? Why take off Trezuguet ? Being nil-one down after the game in London, Juventus needed goals and Amauri is their leading scorer this season; Trezuguet is a fantastic poacher whose marvellous overhead kick sent Iaquinta free for the first goal. And, come to that, why take off Iaquinta when they were chasing the game ? For the RentBoyz, their first goal was lucky but they deserved it since they had been wrongly denied a goal two minutes earlier (what about instant goal-line technology, eh ?). Their second goal was a beauty but, even with Michael Essien, they had real trouble containing little Alessandro del Piero and were constantly on their back feet. By no means a remarkable victory; a hard-fought victory.
TheArse should beat ASROma without Daniele di Rossi and with a few others – including Totti – being questionable. But with TheArse, you never know what team will walk out the tunnel.
UTD/InterMilan should be a stroll based on the “evidence” of the match at the San Siro but I’m not counting my chickens. The good news for TheLads is that the InterMilan back four is in a shambles – kinda like “that night” in Milan in reverse, I hope. JoseTheMoaner will have his team set up for penalties and defending deep; can UTD break down a packed box – this is a constant source of concern with our lot. I expect a match in which UTD boss the possession – 60/40 – but there is no reason to believe that that will turn into goals IF Julio Cesar is again stupendous.
Overall, then, the English teams – i.e., those that represent English cities – have been superior so far but the margin has been rather less dramatic than you suggest. And, of course, there are more games to play. Which is why they play the games.
I can’t understand why Ronnie would wanna join that shower of shite.
Having a dream of playing for Real Madrid and for what?
Dream of playing for a shite team?!
Would would anyone wanna leave Manchester United.
I really dislike heinze these days
re pjch ‘ anyway if ronaldo leaves united will cope’, 50 yrs ago we lost
a full team of ronaldo’s
tonight 3-0 united – BELIEVE