Followers

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Real Madrid abandon pursuit of self-proclaimed world's best Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo: I am sure to win Ballon d'Or: A shoo-in? Cristiano Ronaldo is the European player of the year according to Cristiano Ronaldo
A shoo-in? Cristiano Ronaldo is the European player of the year according to Cristiano Ronaldo Photo: AP

"It [a deal for Ronaldo] is not possible. That matter is over," Madrid president Ramon Calderon said. "We talked about that last season. Manchester decided they did not want to sell the player and we don't want to do anything against a friendly club like Manchester.

"We accept that Ronaldo decided to stay at Manchester. It is forgotten. Not only for January but, I think, for ever."

However, he maintained that should United put the 23-year-old up for sale, Real would consider coming in with an offer.

"Only if Manchester decided to sell will we be talking about it," he said. "But I would like to say clearly that Madrid is not doing anything to disturb a nice and friendly club like Manchester.

"That is the final word and we are happy."

Few will disagree with the United winger's statement that he is the clear favourite to win both the Fifa World Player of the Year award and the Ballon d'Or but for him to state it so openly appears either a sign of arrogance or supreme confidence. Perhaps both.

"I am completely confident," he told the Italian sports paper, Gazzetta dello Sport. "If you assess what I did over the course of the season; I think I did more than anyone. What more could I have done to win the Ballon d'Or and the Fifa award?"

The Ballon D'Or is better known by its former title of the European Footballer of the Year; an award that no Manchester United player has won since Denis Law, Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best were awarded it once each between 1964 and 1968. The last two Englishmen to win it were Michael Owen seven years ago and Kevin Keegan in 1979. Ronaldo was voted runner-up to AC Milan's Kaka last year and has already been presented with the Golden Boot – as Europe's leading marksman – in a ceremony in his home island of Madeira.

Ronaldo's performances in a season in which he scored 42 times for Manchester United were even more remarkable because for the last two months of the campaign he played through the pain of an ankle injury.

"At times it was like having a knife in my ankle," he said. "I had to grit my teeth but I don't regret it because it was worth it. But mentally and physically it was torture."

Having won his first European Cup – which earned him the award of Uefa's Champions League player of the season – Ronaldo said he believed Manchester United were capable of retaining the trophy; something no team has achieved since AC Milan in 1990.

"I want a second Champions League," he said. "Manchester United have everything it takes to do it. I don't see anyone capable of rivalling us."

Calderon also endorsed AC Milan's interest in signing former Real midfielder David Beckham on loan from LA Galaxy.

"He is a very well-known player. He is a player who can give a lot to the club he signs for," Calderon told Sky Sports News.

Beckham spent four seasons at the Bernabeu and Calderon added: "I have heard he is going to go to AC Milan.

"We wish David Beckham all the best. He performed fantastically. He decided to leave and now he has a new offer and it is up to him.

"He is a fantastic player, a nice person and we have a lot of good memories. The Real Madrid fans like him very much and he is always welcome at Real Madrid in any sense."

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