THE proud grandparents of the best footballer on the planet watch him each week on TV from their modest Yangebup home.

Maria-Angela Spinola, 80, and Jose Vivieros, 79, marvel at their grandson and Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo. The retired pensioners live with Ronaldo’s uncle, 44-year-old Alex Vivieros,
in a suburban brick-and-tile house. Mr Vivieros, a cleaner on $20 an hour, said he spent Christmas with the Manchester United superstar. Ronaldo’s mother is Mr Vivieros’ sister.

“People don’t believe me that Cristiano is my nephew,” he told The Sunday Times. “I have to bring them back signed mementos so they take me seriously.”

Ronaldo this week revealed that he had close family in Perth at the launch of a new soccer boot in London when interviewed by The Sunday Times soccer reporter David Davutovic.

The Sunday Times tracked them down yesterday. Ms Spinola said Ronaldo was a good boy who had bought his grandparents tickets to soccer games and had flown them to Europe two years ago.
Ms Spinola, who moved to Perth from Portugal with her husband 10 years ago, said she gets nervous when she watches her grandson on TV. His uncle said Ronaldo’s hectic lifestyle made contact difficult.

“We talk on the phone, but not very often,” he said. “He’s famous and rich and doesn’t have much time.” Mr Vivieros said he remembers his nephew as a three-year-old in Portugal. “He has always loved soccer, but he hates losing,” he said.

The European Footballer of the Year earns almost $38,000 a day and owns a number of expensive cars and properties.

He made the news headlines last month when he wrote off his $448,000 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Spider in a tunnel near Manchester Airport.

The Portugese-born winger/striker was signed by manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2003 for a fee of $27.42million.

He made his Premier League debut wearing the number seven shirt made famous by the likes of David Beckham, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and George Best. Ronaldo has become a legend at Manchester United with his his speed, step-overs and dazzling dribbles.

Speculation has dragged on for two years that he wants a move away from rainy Manchester to the Spanish capital to play for Real Madrid, but so far a move hasn’t eventuated.

Mr Vivieros said his nephew was “tight-lipped” on the subject. [Source: news.com.au]