I am a slave, says Ronaldo as he pushes for Madrid moveDaniel Taylor The Guardian, Friday July 11, 2008
Cristiano Ronaldo made his comments in an interview on Portuguese television. Photograph: Robin van Lonkhuijsen/Reuters
Cristiano Ronaldo's desire to join Real Madrid appeared stronger than ever last night after a television interview in which he reiterated he had not changed his mind about wanting to leave Manchester United and agreed with the Fifa president Sepp Blatter's criticism about the way the European Cup winners had handled the situation. Blatter had urged United to allow the player to leave and, more controversially, complained that there was "too much modern slavery" in the sport.
Blatter, an honorary member of Real Madrid with close ties to the club's president, Ramón Calderón, had described himself as "very much in sympathy" with Ronaldo and urged United to allow him to leave, suggesting it was otherwise tantamount to slavery. "I agree with what he said," said Ronaldo, when that last point was put to him. "It's true. I agree with what the president of Fifa said. I know what I want and what I would like. We have to see what happens. I do not know where I will begin next season."
Ronaldo was subsequently asked whether that meant he still wanted to move to Madrid. "At the moment I can't say any more," he replied. "But you know what I said [at the end of Euro 2008] and what I want." He was asked when it would be sorted out. "I hope very soon."
Blatter's comments had been widely condemned, with United saying there were "taken aback" by his choice of words and the Professional Footballers' Association calling for a retraction. Ronaldo, who earns more than £100,000 a week on a contract signed last year, seemed oblivious to the reaction at Old Trafford. "What the president of Fifa said is correct," he said when pressed further. "He is right."
Speaking to the Portuguese television station TVI, Ronaldo was asked to clarify whether he had agreed terms with Madrid. "It's not true," he said. "There is not an agreement." His interviewer then wanted to know why he and Ferguson had not spoken this summer. "I don't want to say anything," he responded.
Although Ronaldo strategically stopped short of directly stating he wanted to leave Old Trafford, there were several instances when he was asked to clarify his position and chose against saying anything positive about the club. He also did not express any regret about the impact for United of Ferguson's assistant, Carlos Queiroz, becoming Portugal's new manager. "Carlos is a great coach - he showed it many times in Manchester and before that in Portugal. I think he would be a great option for the national team." Ronaldo had been due to report for pre-season training on Monday but it emerged he had been given permission to remain in Portugal while he recuperates from surgery on his right ankle. The player was on crutches and revealed he might be out for "10 to 12 weeks."
Huyu dogo sasa kaanza dharau
Unajiita slave mbona last season ulisaini kuongeza mkataba mwenyewe kwa 4 years
Mbona unapokea mshahara wako kama mlivyokubaliana
Huyu BLATTER nafikiri AMESHACHOKA awaachie vijana hiyo nafasi
Issue kama hii imewahi kutokea kwa wachezaji wengi mfano MAKELELE,ATHUMAN IDD na wengine wengi mbona alikaa kimya
Simply he is PATHETIC.....Let us get rid off him!!, na akibakia next season watam-boo mbaka akome,'..kakosa uzalendo..kakosa shukrani etc..let him go plzz!!, if not asugue bench tu, mwache aende kwa wale ambao hawana shukrani hata chembe!!
Manchester United's Ronaldo may have a tough time in the Premier League next season after he appealed to the referee to send off Rooney, also of ManU, who pushed him furiously before he left the pitch.
ALEX FERGUSON has been blasted as a disgraceful, arrogant hypocrite by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy. Tottenham last night reported Manchester United and boss Fergie to the Premier League for tapping up their star striker Dimitar Berbatov. And a furious Levy also let Liverpool have it by reporting them for their attempts to lure Robbie Keane to Anfield.
Levy said: It is unbelievably hypocritical given Fergusons recent comments about Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid. It is also one of the worst offences by any manager in the Premier League to date. ''As a result, weve made an official complaint about the conduct of Manchester United. Comments made by their manager, announcing he is confident a deal will go through, is a blatant example of sheer arrogance and interference with one of our players.
Levy had remained tight-lipped on Uniteds interest in Berbatov but exploded in anger when he read Fergies admission in yesterdays SunSport that he had made a £22million offer for Berba. Ferguson said he was convinced Berba, 27, would be moving to Old Trafford even though he tried to get Real Madrid punished by FIFA for going public with their desire to sign United winger Ronaldo. Levy raged: This comes after a series of events dating back to last summer which have shown Manchester United to be in breach of Premier League rules. Liverpool are already in the dock after comments from their boss Rafa Benitez about Berbatovs strike partner Robbie Keane, 28.
Levy added: Benitez made similar comments in respect of Robbie and we made an official complaint about the conduct of Liverpool earlier this week. The behaviour of both clubs has been disgraceful. ''We told them very early on that we had no interest in selling Robbie or Dimitar and they should refrain from chasing the players. Both arrogantly chose to ignore this request and we have evidence both have worked outside league rules. Indeed both clubs made contact with the players and their agents without the Tottenhams permission.
Levy insists United and Liverpools interest has caused unrest in the Spurs dressing room during pre-season. He said: When a players head is turned and their commitment is absent, they become a negative influence. Dimitar and Robbie have made it clear they wish to leave for Manchester United and Liverpool respectively.
Fergie: I won't let Ron go ....
ALEX FERGUSON has told wantaway winger Cristiano Ronaldo: You're staying at Man Utd ...................................
Fergie: I will sue Tottenham for nor letting (Berbatov) go....................
Who said Fergie shouldn't get what he wants? ............
The Manchester United boss believes Big Phil Scolaris team cannot match his young sides hunger to retain the title. And he reckons Scolari has no chance of equalling Jose Mourinhos achievements at Stamford Bridge. But Chelseas Michael Essien hit back last night insisting they will prove Ferguson wrong by winning the league. Fergie said: Im not concerned about Chelsea. It would have to go beyond Mourinhos performance to worry us.
But its hard to see where theres going to be a big improvement with a team thats really very experienced. How can they accelerate beyond what theyve done? I dont see outstanding progress in a team that is in their 30s.
Essien replied: Weve got the best players in the world at Chelsea and by next May will be the only team in contention. Chelsea will win the title this year.
Players like Ballack, Lampard and Deco are world class. It is to our advantage that we have so many players who have achieved so much.
Fergie added: Im not saying necessarily that theyre old because, with the modern-day training methods, you should be playing in your 30s. What Im saying is I dont see outstanding progress in a team thats in their 30s.
I think they will still challenge with the players theyve got and the players theyve added. But I dont know how far that team has got to go.
I am happy with my squad. I genuinely think theres good improvement there Anderson, Rooney, Tevez, Nani these players will improve and it gives you confidence. Ferguson, on tour with United in South Africa, added: Avram Grant did a good job last season but Mourinho won the title two years in a row and beat us in the FA Cup final theres no one who can improve on Mourinhos record. United pipped their rivals to the Premier and Champions League double and Ferguson has wasted no time getting in the first shots of what is likely to be another fierce battle.
He added: Scolari is fortunate. He is joining a big club of internationals.
I dont know him. I dont think he speaks English, does he? But he has managed a lot of clubs so he is experienced and thats one thing he has in his favour.
The Manchester United manager has spent the entire summer attempting to persuade the Portuguese ace to stay at Old Trafford after Spanish giants Real Madrid were linked with a blockbuster £75million bid for him. Fergie has threatened to report the Primera Liga champions to FIFA for their public courting of the 23-year-old, but the Scot admits the days of players sticking with a team for the long-term are now over. Ferguson said: "Anyone who serves more than 10 years for a football club these days is something exceptional.
"Especially with freedom of contract, the Bosman Rule and agents, it's very difficult to get players to stay for that length of time, particularly when they're not from your country, which I think is even more difficult." Speaking at a Press conference ahead of United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's testimonial against Espanyol, Ferguson also revealed it is becoming increasingly difficult to hold on to top players. United legend Solskjaer joined the Red Devils for a bargain £1.5m in 1996 and went on to win 10 major honours with the club until he retired last year. The Norwegian famously scored the winning goal against Barcelona in the 1999 Champions League final, but Fergie insists that level of loyalty is long gone.
He added: "It is very difficult to say where people are going to be in two weeks' time, let alone two years. "And I certainly would not want to talk about what is likely to happen at this club. It is not my domain."
Blatter, an honorary member of Real Madrid with close ties to the club's president, Ramón Calderón, had described himself as "very much in sympathy" with Ronaldo and urged United to allow him to leave, suggesting it was otherwise tantamount to slavery. "I agree with what he said," said Ronaldo, when that last point was put to him. "It's true. I agree with what the president of Fifa said. I know what I want and what I would like. We have to see what happens. I do not know where I will begin next season."