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Cristiano Ronaldo
Birth Date: February 5 1985
Birth Place: Madeira
Birth Nation: Portugal
Height: 184cm
Weight: 75Kg
Nationality: Portuguese
Position: Forward
Current Club: Manchester United
Full Name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was brought up on the island of Madeira, Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo had three other siblings. His mother was called Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and his father Jose Diniz Aveiro.
Cristiano Ronaldo started off playing football for his local team, Nacional, it was clear by the time he was 12, that he was the best football player Madeira had ever produced. The main Portuguese clubs became interested in signing Cristiano Ronaldo. Interested parties were Porto and Boavista however, in the end Cristiano Ronaldo decided to play for his boyhood favourite club which was Sporting Lisbon
Cristiano Ronaldo did not progess as fast as he wanted but everyone around him was impressed with his raw talent and maturity for one so young.
Cristiano Ronaldo became the fans favorite player. He netted 2 goals against Moreirense in his very first game. Soon after, Cristiano Ronaldo dazzled the crowds wit
Cristiano Ronaldo Transfer Rumours 30 10 2007 Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo sees no reason why Sir Alex Ferguson's side cannot clinch a Premier League and Champions League double this season.
United have won their last eight games in the Premier League and are currently second in the table while they are well-placed to move into the group stages of the Champions League.
United won an unprecedented treble in 1999 and Ronaldo is confident the current team can come close to matching those achievements.
"I believe we'll win the Premier League and Champions League this season," the Portugal international told a national paper.
"We have the team, we have the players and we believe we can do it. There's a good chance we will. All the players feel good, feel sharp, feel quick and they are showing on the pitch their desire to play for Manchester United. In the last three or four games we have scored many goals and we are more confident now. Arsenal are very strong and are playing fantastic, attractive football. It will be a big game for us (on Saturday) but it's a good opportunity to see how good we are. Arsenal have started well but the season is a marathon - you have to be consistent."
22 10 2007 Italy are dominating the Golden Ball list of 50 candidates with eight players, while Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona each contributed seven names on the list.
- Golden Ball 2007 nominees:
Éric Abidal (Olympique Lyon, FC Barcelona)
Daniel Alves (FC Sevilla)
David Beckham (Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy)
Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham)
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus Turin)
Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid)
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Petr Cech (Chelsea)
Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Deco (FC Barcelona)
Mahamadou Diarra (Real Madrid)
Diego (Werder Bremen)
Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
Michael Essien (Chelsea)
Samuel Eto'o (FC Barcelona)
Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
Gennaro Gattuso (Milan)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Ryan Giggs (Manchester United)
Thierry Henry (Arsenal, FC Barcelona)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter)
Filippo Inzaghi (Milan)
Kaka (Milan)
Frederic Kanoute (FC Sevilla)
Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen, Bayern Munchen)
Younis Mahmoud (Algharafa)
Paolo Maldini (Milan)
Florent Malouda (Olympique Lyon, Chelsea)
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic Glasgow)
Guillermo Ochoa (America Mexico)
Andrea Pirlo (Milan),
Ricardo Quaresma (FC Porto),
Raul (Real Madrid)
Franck Ribery (Olympique Marseille, Bayern Munchen),
Juan Roman Riquelme (Boca Juniors, Villarreal)
Robinho (Real Madrid)
Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona)
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Paul Scholes (Manchester United)
Clarence Seedorf (Milan)
Carlos Tevez (West Ham, Manchester United)
Luca Toni (Fiorentina, Bayern Munchen)
Kolo Toure (Arsenal)
Jose Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid, Liverpool)
Francesco Totti (AS Roma)
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid)
Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
David Villa (Valencia)
22 10 2007 Nemanja Vidic is in line for a Manchester United recall as the Red Devils look to maintain their 100 per cent Champions League record against Dynamo Kiev.
The tough-tackling Serbia international missed Saturday's win at Aston Villa after suffering concussion against Wigan prior to the international break but has returned to Sir Alex Ferguson's squad and is expected to replace Gerard Pique.
Cristiano Ronaldo will play after sitting out the four-goal rout at Villa Park, with fellow countryman Nani most likely to stand down.
Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, Simpson, Ferdinand, Vidic, Pique, Evra, Ronaldo, Scholes, O'Shea, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Eagles, Rooney, Tevez, Dong.
16 10 2007 Barcelona left-back Sylvinho has defended those Barcelona players who wish to continue their international careers despite the condemnation of president Joan Laporta.
The former Brazil international said, "Players love to play football and, if summoned by their country, they will gladly heed the call. Footballers are just looking to play, but it seems that we have the least to say on the subject."
Nonetheless, the veteran defender admitted that there are complications.
"It's a simple comment, but a complex issue," he conceded, adding that his time with the Brazil team - which coincided with his spell at Arsenal - had its difficulties.
Sylvinho is currently a squad player at the Nou Camp, with new signing Eric Abidal having made the left-back slot his own. The 33 year old, though, has not given up hope of regaining his place from the younger Frenchman.
"As a player, you want to play, and you're happy when you can," he began.
"I will continue to work hard in training in order to play my role well when the coach decides that it's time for me to do so."
On the subject of Lionel Messi's Golden Ball candidacy, he said, "Messi is a player without equal, and every day he gets better, but I prefer not to talk about who's the best in the world. I always say that there are four or five very good players, and Messi is one of them, like Kaka, Ronaldinho, or Cristiano Ronaldo."
Sylvinho, formerly of Celta Vigo, arrived at the Nou Camp from Arsenal in 2004. He has 6 caps for Brazil.
14 10 2007 Miguel Veloso's agent claims that unnamed English clubs have tabled offers for the Sporting starlet, with Arsenal and Manchester United reportedly the two teams in the hunt.
The Premier League's top two sides have been continuously linked with Veloso in recent weeks and it would appear that one or both of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have now made their interest formal.
The 21-year-old can play in defence but has shone in midfield and played alongside Deco, Maniche and Cristiano Ronaldo when winning his first cap for Portugal in their 2-0 win over Azerbaijan on Saturday.
Having seen both Nani and Ronaldo leave for Manchester United in recent years it looks likley that Veloso could be the latest youngster to depart Sporting as his agent, Paulo Barbosa, claims a Premier League side has been close to matching his £20 million release clause.
'There have been several contacts and several offers from England,' Barbosa told the News of the World.
'I won't name the clubs but one of them was not far from his buy-out clause. If there's agreement from Sporting and the player, it's possible for him to leave. But there's no pressure or desire that it should happen yet.'
13 10 2007 Carlos Tevez feels his Manchester United team-mates have had a positive effect on his game and says joining the club was a "dream come true".
The Argentina international moved to Old Trafford in the summer from West Ham where he took a long time to find his form after his surprise arrival in August 2006.
However, he has had no such problems adapting to life with the Red Devils and having a manager like Ferguson has contributed to that.
"The main difference between United and West Ham is that the coach believes in me at my new club," Tevez told a national paper.
"I'm feeling physically stronger with every game. That makes me feel good and everything else, like scoring goals, comes as a result. When I look around the dressing room and see my team-mates there, I realise I'm at one of the most important clubs in the world. That is a dream come true. The most surprising thing about the squad is even though all the players are stars, they are all actually really humble and are good people. They've made me feel good and I've now got various friends in the squad like Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. I'm doing quite well with my English now. I understand the boss and my team-mates perfectly."
11 10 2007 Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo's priority for the season is to win the Champions League with The Red Devils.
The Portugal international has put the fabled European prize above any personal achievements after being named in Fifa's shortlist for the World Player of the Year award.
"It's always nice to be recognised individually but the most important thing is winning things as a team with Manchester United,' said the 22-year-old.
"The priority for us this season is the Champions League, and retaining the title.'
United team-mates Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney were also named in the 30-man list, which includes ten Premier League players, with Chelsea providing five names.
07 10 2007 Cristiano Ronaldo has ended what was a frosty relationship with fellow countryman Jose Mourinho by wishing the former Chelsea boss well in his future endeavours.
It was widely documented that the Manchester United star and the 'special one' were not overly fond of one another after Mourinho said the Portugal international 'lacked class'.
That statement elicited a barbed response from Sir Alex Ferguson, who jumped to his player's defence, but now Ronaldo has decided to bury the hatchet by saying he believes The Premier League will miss the outspoken coach.
"English football will miss Jose Mourinho," said Ronaldo.
"He is a great manager. He won a lot of things in England and the titles speak for themselves. Maybe he wants a new experience but I wish him all the best."
Ronaldo has already stated his desire to do the treble this season, but he is well aware that it will be a huge ask for The Red Devils given the competition they face in what is already proving a tight league challenge.
"There will be more teams involved in the title race this season," he said.
"Liverpool and Arsenal are very strong, and along with Manchester United and Chelsea have the chance to win the league every season. Arsenal are playing fantastically at the moment and they have such a young team. Liverpool have new players and are doing well too. But I believe Manchester United are still the best. I know we are not playing the best football at the moment. But it is coming and which I think it will be tougher this season, I believe we will win it."
06 10 2007 Sebastian Larsson believes Birmingham have shown they have nothing to fear from the Barclays Premier League despite the youthful and inexperienced nature of Steve Bruce's squad.
The former Arsenal winger admitted to a degree of trepidation before the season got under way following City's promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship.
But Larsson, who has just won his first call-up into the Swedish squad, is encouraged by the way Steve Bruce's side have performed in the campaign despite having only a modest return of eight points from eight games.
They drew at Liverpool, led at Chelsea before losing 3-2 and were unfortunate to go down by a single goal to Manchester United, with Sir Alex Ferguson admitting Birmingham had been the toughest side the Red Devils had faced this season.
Larsson, who moved from the Gunners last term after an initial loan period, said: "When you haven't played so much at this level, you are not entirely sure where you stand. But I think we are comfortable with the league and there is no reason for us to fear anything. We would like more points but the biggest thing I think is that we haven't really been outplayed apart from at Middlesbrough when we put in a really disappointing performance. We've played Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United and come away with a lot of credit from all three games. That gives us a lot of confidence not to be afraid going into games. We know we can beat one of the top four. The United game could have gone either way. But it's all about picking up results against the teams we are going to be competing with. I think we are going in the right direction and we have got a good squad. It's looking positive for us. If we can cut out a few small mistakes, which have cost us, and put a few chances away, we can move up the table."
Bruce was full of praise for the performance against United, when a mistake by Franck Queudrue - who is to be given the chance to redeem himself in Sunday's game at Blackburn - gifted Cristiano Ronaldo the only goal.
But he is aware Birmingham also need to continue picking up points against the sides who are likely to be scrapping it out with them for survival.
Bruce said: "I have been really pleased with the way we played against Liverpool and Manchester United but we have to do the same in other matches. That is the challenge ahead of us. In fairness, we have picked up seven points from the three games against Sunderland, Derby and Bolton, who are in that area of the table near to us at the moment. If we can continue to perform like we have done this season, apart from a horrible day up at Middlesbrough, then I feel we should be okay and will be capable of winning games."
Blues will be looking to avenge their Carling Cup defeat at the hands of Rovers 10 days ago but Bruce knows it will be a tough test.
He said: "Blackburn will obviously be disappointed that they have not gone through in the UEFA Cup. But they still won that game and before that they had a great result at Sunderland and had comprehensively beaten us in the Carling Cup. They have got a really settled Premier League team who have added only one member to last year in (Roque) Santa Cruz. To finish seventh or eighth like they did last year was a really fantastic achievement."
Bruce is unlikely to make any major changes from the starting XI against Manchester United and has no fresh injury worries.
05 10 2007 Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari made six changes to the Portugal squad Friday ahead of two must-win European championship qualifying games.
Scolari, who will be absent from the bench for both games because of a UEFA ban, recalled Ricardo Carvalho of Chelsea and Sporting's Tonel to bolster a defense that conceded late goals in consecutive home draws against Poland and Serbia.
The Brazilian coach dropped Juventus' Tiago Mendes and Armando Petit of Benfica to make way for midfielders Duda of Sevilla and Sporting's Miguel Velosa ahead of games at Azerbaijan on Sept. 13 and Kazakhstan on Sept. 17. Midfielder Raul Mereiles of FC Porto and Stuttgart defender Fernando Meira were also added.
Scolari earned a reduced two-month ban on Thursday for scuffling with defender Ivica Dragutinovic at the end of Portugal's 1-1 draw with Serbia on Sept. 12. Scolari is barred from the bench until Nov. 20, meaning he can return for the team's last Euro 2008 qualifier against Finland on Nov. 21, which he would have missed under an original four-match ban.
Poland leads Group A with 21 points, two ahead of Finland. Portugal is third with 17 points but has played one less game than the top two. Serbia is fourth with 16 points.
Portugal beat both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan 3-0 in the home leg.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ricardo Pereira (Betis), Quim Silva (Benfica)
Defenders: Miguel Monteiro (Valencia), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Jose Bosingwa (FC Porto), Fernando Meira (Stuttgart), Bruno Alves (FC Porto), Tonel (Sporting)
Midfielders: Deco (FC Barcelona), Joao Moutinho (Sporting Lisbon), Miguel Velosa (Sporting), Raul Mereiles (FC Porto) Ricardo Quaresma (FC Porto), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Nani (Manchester United), Maniche (Atletico Madrid), Duda (Sevilla)
Forwards: Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Nuno Gomes (Benfica)
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