Cris is in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy at the moment and had some days off to relax before he will fly to Portugal for the National Team.
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Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy 30/05/2009
Cristiano Ronaldo may have been outclassed on the football pitch this week, but if there is one thing he still leads the world at it must be sunbathing.
The world’s ‘number one’ footballer was left smarting at his team Manchester United’s 2-0 Champions League final defeat by Barcelona on Wednesday.
But today he was appeared to have shrugged off the disappointment as he soaked up the sunshine in Sardinia.
The world’s number one… at sunbathing: Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo relaxes in in Porto Cervo, Sardinia
Away strip: Ronaldo begins his annual tan top-up in Sardinia
Wearing his favourite sunbathing outfit – a silver crucifix and white swimming shorts – he lay down on a sunbed before diving into the ocean to cool off.
Perhaps the 24-year-old is planning on repeating last year’s impressive display of tanning – when he turned a deep mahogany colour.
The £100,000-a-week star spent his recuperation from ankle surgery soaking up the rays on a daily basis with a gaggle of supermodels.
This time the Portuguese heart-throb won’t have long to enjoy the sun in Porto Cervo before it’s back to the training ground.
Golden boy: Cristiano Ronaldo tops up his tan in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy
Worth an estimated £70million, Ronaldo has continued to play down reports he will leave Manchester United for a move to Real Madrid.
Last year he angered fans by accusing his club of treating him ‘like a slave’, despite his enormous salary.
The beaches of Sardinia are a favourite holiday spot. He was there last year with then girlfriend, Spanish model Nereida Gallardo.
Today I’ve added new photos from game Barcelona vs. Manchester United and a few Cris left Roma and arrived at Manchester Airport.
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Barcelona vs. Manchester United in Roma 27/05/2009 [HQ]
Arrived at Manchester Airport 28/05/2009
Arrived at Manchester Airport 28/05/2009 [HQ]
I’ve added more photos in the gallery from the press conference and training session yesterday MQ and HQ. And there is a new funny video of Cristiano. Cristiano interviews Cristiano lol.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7IiI_nSGbQ[/youtube]
Ronaldo: Let’s make history
CRISTIANO RONALDO has called on his Manchester United team-mates to make history in Rome tonight.
United will become the first club to win back-to-back Champions League titles if they defeat the Spanish champions in the Stadio Olimpico.
The feat would also see Alex Ferguson’s side join the illustrious company of Liverpool and Nottingham Forest – the only English clubs to have previously retained the European Cup.
And for Ronaldo, it would mean more to him than when he scooped the European Player of the Year last December.
The 24-year-old said: “Barcelona have a great team who deserve respect but I believe we are better than them and we will show it.
“I respect Barcelona profoundly. Lionel Messi is playing marvellously well.
“I want to be sincere. I have to play well for the team and the supporters. I look forward to it and I think it will be really special.
“I don’t care about the Ballon D’Or. What I want more is to win the Champions League. That’s it.
“I just want to be the first team in history to win it twice.”
I’ve added more new pictures from Roma. There are new photos from the press conference, arriving at the airport in Roma and from the training session today.
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Arriving in Roma 25/05/2009 [HQ]
Press Conference at Olympia Stadium in Roma 26/05/2009
Press Conference at Olympia Stadium in Roma 26/05/2009 [HQ]
Training Session 26/05/2009 [HQ]
Manchester United’s player are now in Roma. They left Manchester yesterday and arrived in the hotel. Here are some photos from this.
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At the Manchester airport 25/05/2009 [HQ]
Arriving in the hotel in Roma 25/05/2009 [HQ]
FORGET THE tantrums, forget the flirtation with Real Madrid, forget the longing in those Spanish eyes.
Today, Cristiano Ronaldo nails once and for all the idea that he will conquer Barcelona on Wednesday – and then head off to the Bernabeu.
Sure, we’ve heard it before. But never this definitive, never this passionate, never this convincing. If he leaves Old Trafford after this proclamation of loyalty, Ronaldo will go down as one of the most insincere, double-dealing football superstars. A man whose word means nothing.
The European and World Player of the Year has chosen the build-up to this week’s epic Champions League showdown in Rome as the moment to pledge his heart, body and soul to Manchester United.
Ronaldo declares: “This is my home now. I think even when I say my heart is here, people are still going to speak and make things up. But this is where I want to play.
“We are part of an era that can go down in history for the way we are playing and for the trophies we are winning. The boss believes in this team and so do I. And this is where I want to be. Manchester United is now my house.”
Ah, the boss. The one who would no longer have been with us had Portuguese looks been able to kill during the Manchester derby just a fortnight ago.
Bond
That, it seems, was just a tiff between dad and lad. Famously, Sir Alex Ferguson interrupted his holiday last summer to have a heart-to-heart with Ronaldo as the pressure from Madrid seemed sure to pay dividends.
At the time, it was suggested Ronaldo was not happy with Ferguson’s stance. Now, it seems to have strengthened the bond between the two.
Ronaldo explains: “He is two different people and they have both helped me become who I am today. Firstly, he is probably the most knowledgeable football coach in the world. I learn from him every day.
“No matter how good I become, I know he is a man who will always be able to teach me that little bit more. I don’t get tired of learning from him because I know every bit of advice he gives me will make me a better player.
“The second person he is, is a father to me. Ever since I joined Manchester United, he has been like a second father to me. And I don’t just respect him, I have the affection for him a child has for his father.
“When he gives me advice that is non-football, I listen because it will make me a better person.”
Ronaldo’s prolonged, often intense, dalliance with his persistent Spanish suitors appeared to have affected his form for a short but worrying while.
But he has quickly returned to his imperious best, two magnificent goals at The Emirates sealing United’s passage to a second successive Champions League final. And he is convinced that – under the guidance of Ferguson – there is a lot more to come from a player who has already established himself as the outstanding talent of his generation.
He explained: “That is the goal, to always get better. And the manager we have here is not the sort of man to say ‘right you are good enough now, don’t try and get any better’.
“He is a winner and he wants all of us to get better and works with us all individually to make sure that happens.
“If you look at somebody like Ryan Giggs, he keeps working to get better even at his age and he keeps winning.
“Maybe as you get older your game changes and you have to adapt your style but I don’t think I am quite there yet.
“I don’t know how much better I can get but I do know every day I turn up for work will be a day I am trying to improve as Cristiano Ronaldo the football player.”
And his dedication is matched by an unshakeable self-belief, a confidence that was instilled in him by his country’s most celebrated player.
He recalled: “When I was growing up, Luis Figo was the biggest player in Portugal. Luis was his own player who had belief in himself and that is what he has taught me.
“When I was 17 and with the national squad, he came up to me after the first training session and said that some of the things I did with a football, he had never seen anybody in the world do before.
“It is that sort of belief in you that gives you the confidence. I decided then only to have my own style of play. I don’t want to imitate anybody, individuality is everything to me.”
But it’s not all instinct. He goes on: “Most things on the pitch come naturally, without even thinking about it. But at times you might be in training and think ‘I would like to try this in a match’.
“Nothing comes easy. When you see the best players in the world, they, of course, have natural ability. But you still have to work, work, work.”
Deny
And Ronaldo’s work ethic, allied to his prodigious ability, has already brought him three Premier League medals and a Champions League medal.
But most people still thought this would be his last season at Old Trafford and, two days ago, Real were forced to deny reports that they had signed a pre-contract agreement with the player.
However, although they are now playing down the prospects of capturing the World Player of the Year, Real are sure to come calling as soon as their presidential elections are complete.
But such is the emphatic nature of this commitment to the United cause, the more likely happening is Ronaldo’s advisers will call United officials to the negotiating table this summer and try and thrash out a new, extended contract. The Premier League top scorer still has three years of his current deal left to run, on a wage believed to be in the region of £120,000 a week.
But in return for his long-term pledge, Ronaldo’s agent is likely to look for a hefty pay rise to make him the Premier League’s top earner.
In the not too distant future, he could become the first Premier League player to earn £200,000 a week.
Respect
RONALDO ON ROONEY
YOU look at Rooney on the pitch and just one word springs to mind – WINNER. You will never see him have a game where he doesn’t give 100 percent.
You can see the pain and frustration on his face when results don’t go right. Every team wants players who play with their heart and soul – and he is one of those.
Our understanding on the pitch has even improved from last season. As we get to play with each other more we know where the other one is going to run – it has become like second nature now.
RONALDO ON FANS
THEY are fantastic and they are another reason why Manchester is now my house.
They are so loyal and it is nice to be able to reward them with a trip to Rome and another European Cup final.
We hope to win it again for them. We know how hard it is to win it back to back but, if any fans deserve to see their team do that, then it is them.
RONALDO ON FAMILY
THE first European Cup final I remember was AC Milan v Juventus and then I was not thinking about playing in European Cup finals – my aim was just to make a living out of being a professional football player.
It is a dream come true and I owe so much of it to my parents.
Last year – after we won the semi-final – my mother called me up right away and I thought she was calling up to congratulate me. But she said … ‘Don’t forget, your mama wants tickets for the final.
I said ‘Don’t worry Mama – of course you are coming’.
It will be the same this year and it makes me feel so good to know she wants to watch me and is proud of me.
RONALDO ON MESSI
IT is not good to go on to the pitch in awe of somebody but I very much respect Lionel Messi as a player.
He has a great style of play and I am sure he will be as excited about the final as I am.
SOCCER: MANCHESTER UNITED winger Cristiano Ronaldo insists he will remain at Old Trafford next season. Much like last year, Ronaldo’s future is constantly under the spotlight and Real Madrid have again been linked with a move for the Portugal international.
United are adamant he is not for sale but if Florentino Perez wins the Madrid presidential elections he is likely to make signing the world player of the year his number one priority.
However, Ronaldo claims Perez’s efforts would be futile. “At the moment I’m only thinking about the (Champions League) final independently of what will happen to me or my team-mates next season,” he told Atena 3.
“I’m sure Perez would create an incredible team at Madrid but at the moment I’m at United and I don’t care about what happens there. I only care about what will happen next season at Manchester United.”
United face Madrid’s bitter rivals Barcelona in Wednesday’s Champions League final. Alex Ferguson’s team are looking to become the first side to retain the trophy since the European Cup was rebranded as the Champions League in 1992, something Ronaldo admits will be a tricky test.
“It will be very difficult to do it again, because Barcelona have a good team, great players and a great coach,” he added. “The two teams are very good, they play very well and they have dream squads.”
Both teams have had great seasons. Barcelona are on course for the treble while United are looking to add to the World Club Championship, League Cup and Premier League trophies they have already lifted this season.
Ronaldo is relishing the clash but insists it should not be billed as a personal duel between him and Barca star Lionel Messi. “It’s a battle of teams,” he said.
“Without my team I won’t win and neither will Messi without his team-mates. It’s clear that we are the two best teams in Europe. Not only because we are in the final but also because of the football we have played this season and for the trophies we have won. It will be the match every fan dreamed about.”
Manchester United defender John O’Shea will not get excited about the Champions League final against Barcelona until he actually sees his name on the teamsheet.
The Republic of Ireland Ireland defender, who was on the bench for last season’s final victory over Chelsea but did not feature in the match, is certain to play according to his manager Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson took the unusual step on Wednesday of saying that O’Shea would start the match in Rome, describing him as an “unsung hero” of the Old Trafford squad. O’Shea, however, is refusing to get carried away. “The manager might have said something about me starting but you never take it for certain until you know for definite when he names the team in the team meeting,” OShea told reporters.
“You could say I have been rewarded for my patience but whether you are playing a bit part or a bigger part, I was always confident if I got a run in the team, I could show I could stay in it.”
Carlos Tevez, meanwhile, remains in the dark over whether next week’s final will be his last game for the club. Tevez’s Old Trafford future has been the subject of intense debate, with United chief executive David Gill confirming last weekend that he expects some kind of closure in June.
However, not only is Tevez unsure about whether he will remain with United, he has not been given any indication by Ferguson whether he will be involved against Barcelona in Rome next week. “Maybe it will be my last game and maybe it won’t,” he said.
“I dont know. I am not sure whether I will start next week. It is a decision for the manager.
“I will prepare well. That is all I can do.”
Stephen Ireland has been voted Manchester City’s player of the year. The midfielder has been one of the stand-out figures for the Blues in a campaign scarred by inconsistency.
And, after being overlooked in favour of Ashley Young for the PFA young player prize, the 22-year-old has now gained some consolation, ending fellow Irishman Richard Dunne’s four-year hold on the trophy.
Despite having been one of the drivers for the younger sister, Katia Aveiro, and her husband, Jose Pereira, made his peace – after a gap of three years – now, Cristiano Ronaldo is feeling the effects on the skin of the role of Cupid .
After reconciliation, two months ago, the coined, who lived in residence with the ace in Manchester, spends more time in Portugal with his wife, which led to Cristiano lost not only a friend but also an excellent chef and kitchen.
During the period in which Cristiano Ronaldo split home with José Pereira who was the footballer of these meals in Manchester, which is now part of the past. “Everybody knows that Cristiano is not very good at the kitchen and Joe was a valuable aid for all. Now he is much more time in Lisbon and Cristiano feels much the lack of it, despite being very happy to have them back” , to a family friend of Ronaldo.
Katia Aveiro and José Pereira split up three years ago, but the family of Cristiano never hid that it was against collapse. Now, the singer seems to have done the like for the family.
And in a double whammy for United, Manchester City are ready to battle Liverpool to capture Carlos Tevez. Ronaldo has told friends and team-mates to forget stories he is staying at Old Trafford. After a hat-trick of titles and two Champions League finals, he feels he has achieved what he wanted. Now he is keen to revive Real’s fortunes in a record-breaking switch to the Bernabeu. A United source said: “He looks to have made up his mind again. He is not saying it publicly with such a big game coming up next week in the Champions League final. “But in his mind that will be his last. The fact Real trailed Barcelona in La Liga this season only makes the challenge more exciting for him.” Ronaldo made his feelings clear to those close to him as recently as last Saturday, when the champagne was still flowing after United’s title-clinching home draw with Arsenal. SunSport understands a number of senior players have been trying to talk round the Portuguese wizard but he is having none of it. And manager Alex Ferguson, who won the same fight last summer, will now find it very difficult to keep the World Player of the Year. A £30m Tevez move across Manchester to join old enemies City would horrify United fans but suit the unsettled Argentinian striker. Though there will be no European football at Eastlands next season, City can offer him the regular Premier League spot he craves.
CRISTIANO RONALDO plans to quit Manchester United this summer for a £70million move to Real Madrid.
The Manchester United squad pose in suits designed by Paul Smith ahead of the UEFA Champions League Final at Carrington Training Ground on May 22 2009 in Manchester, England.
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Manchester United Squad Pose In Champions League Final Suits 22/05/2009 [HQ]
So today I updated the gallery. So’ll have a look and check it out!
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Family celebrates Cris 29/01/2009 [HQ]
Usain Bolt Attends Manchester United Training Session 15/05/2009 [HQ]
Leaving hotel in London 06/05/2009 [HQ]
Arriving hotel in London 05/05/2009 [HQ]
Player of the year awards held 17/05/2009 [HQ]
