Ronaldo double for Portugal

March 26, 2007

CRISTIANO Ronaldo praised the resilience of the Portugal side after he scored twice in their 4-0 qualifying win over Belgium.

The 22-year-old winger, who has scored 22 goals this season, said: "We created lots of opportunities in the first half but in the second we showed more guts.

"We began the second half with greater drive. We have a very strong side."

Ronaldo is tipped to be in the running for the end-of-season domestic awards because of his rich vein of form.

His Portugal team-mate Nuno Gomes broke the deadlock against Belgium in the 52nd minute, with Ronaldo scoring from a header two minutes later. Ricardo Quaresma added a third on 68 minutes before Ronaldo completed his double.

Portugal are three points behind Group A leaders Poland, who have played a game more than the Portuguese.

Poland, who trounced Azerbaijan 5-0, are on 13 points.

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Jonathan Chin, Truly Asia (26/03/2007 at 10:54)

I remember someone said wanna broke his leg in the game . Now eat ur boots and try again!! Ronnie is superb this season for both club and country. Give him the award!!

Red Family Man (26/03/2007 at 11:01)

Absolutely stunning performance from the lad, not just Premiership Player of the Year, but a serious contender for the World honour as well.....

This young lad is single-handedly changing the football landscape already, and he is getting even better! Couldn't be at a better club.......

Alias Smith, over the moon (26/03/2007 at 11:10)

Seen his comments about his future at United (reported on Sky today)? Very happy at the club, wants to stay for many years to come. Top class.

TMUF, Manchester (26/03/2007 at 11:19)

Quaresma goal in this game was pure class. He would definetly be the one Portuguese player I would add to our team. Dissapointed MEN didn't have the whole of his interview tho, it seems they don't like to publicise talk of Ronaldo staying, just comments about people who don't matter. This is also what he said after the game.

"I have been improving my game and I'm in great shape this year.

"The Manchester United players are by my side and I also have a great help in the national team.

"Am I the best in the world? Of course I believe I am one of the best ¿ I feel mature.

"I have a good contract in financial terms and what really matters to me is to show my game.

"It's a good sign to know that I have so many clubs interested in me, such as Madrid. It means that I am valued and my work pleases.

"But I'm very happy where I am and I hope to stay at Manchester United for many years."

Demo, Glossop (26/03/2007 at 11:23)

the lad has been outstanding. I wonder how he would have progressed at another club? i know he has always had natural ability, shed loads in fact but i believe united have turned him into the player he is today and can continue to improve. Definately deserved winner of every accolade this year

Mick, Dublin (26/03/2007 at 11:23)

In his post-match interview, Ronnie was quoted as saying that he hopes to stay at United "for many years".

How predictable that this quote gets ignored, while every time some no-mark at Real or Barca says he'd like to play alongside Ronnie, it merits an entire article!

Red Family Man (26/03/2007 at 11:46)

I am certain that The Jackal has had a lot to do with Ronaldo's development, something for which I don't think he gets enough credit. And he is best mates with Gabby as well, I just don't see him going anywhere unless circumstances change dramatically.

He looks really happy, wouldn't you be if you were at the summit of world footbal and playing at the best club in the world??

george (26/03/2007 at 12:39)

UNITED are a great club and will have done everything to help Ronaldo improve his game,but I also think Ronaldo has the appetite to learn and improve and he would do that anywhere.
The combination of a great club and a great player means good news for us fans and supporters.Those younger players at UNITED who's future seems in the balance should give their careers the same dedication as Ronaldo.He must be one very hard working man.

Reds4Ever, West Yorkshire (26/03/2007 at 12:42)

For those of you who said Ronnie could not be compared to Best or that Best was best - think again!

VALTINHO, LISBON (26/03/2007 at 12:51)

Cristino was good but Quaresma was from another planet his goal was purely genius and the crossing for ronaldos goal was just perfect. This two plus rooney in a good form and a top Attacking midfielder United would be the best team in europe. Watch Moutinho , 19 and looks so mature in the football world.

Alias Smith, over the moon (26/03/2007 at 13:26)

george, well said. What do Eric, Scholesy, Becks and Ronaldo have in common? They all stayed on after training finished at United to work on their skills. It's no good having God-given talent if you're not prepared to work hard - the great players do both.

Mark Conway (26/03/2007 at 13:51)

Here, here Red Family Man.

Does anyone know when the Balloon D'lor is voted on, or what other players would be considered taking into account all the usual suspects, aren't on top of their game so far this season.

Demo, Glossop (26/03/2007 at 14:05)

It is said that ronnie is one of the first to training and last to leave. He trains hard and is always looking for ways to improve his game. Something he has done dramatically this season. Ronaldo was good the past few seasons but was lacking at times, this season he has matured into the best (not george) i mean player of the season

Steve in Brussels (26/03/2007 at 14:50)

Mark Conway. World Player of the Year might as well just be called - "Which famous player has done well in the World Cup Award" - ably shown by Ronaldo winning in 2002 after a few goals in the tournament after being injured for the rest. The Ballon D'Or is a bit more credible (At least when a World or EUro cup is not being pklayed that year) but is a French award. There is usually a bias towards Italy or Spain and the biggest clubs therein. In England I imagine they only look at the top 4 clubs as there is never anyone from outside of that - merited or not.

Fredrik, Sweden, none (26/03/2007 at 15:41)

Valtinho, how do you compare Nani vs Quaresma? To me Nani is a Ronaldo clone, quite powerful and pacy. And what about Moutinho? Is he a box-to-box midfielder or more of a defensive midfielder? And isn't he small, he looks no taller than 165 cm???

Mick, Dublin (26/03/2007 at 15:43)

Yikes. I'd forgotten Portugal were up against Serbia on Wednesday.

Just seen an interview with Vidic about this "must win game".

The thought of Vida crunching into Ronaldo, running flat-out, gives me the heebie jeebies.

When an irresistible force meets an immovable object, I'd really rather they weren't both on United's books!

Demo, Glossop (26/03/2007 at 16:06)

thats an interesting point mick lets hope vida is in a nice mood and thinks about united before serbia! :/

VALTINHO, LISBON (26/03/2007 at 16:42)

Hi Fredrik, Sweden. Nani is a good prospect and Sporting will make sure that they will not make the same mistake with him as they did with CR and Quaresma, let´s say to don't let him go cheaply so a price tag of 20 million Euros( Spurs offered 10 and they took it as a joke). He looks like Ronaldo with the ball but different, he doesn't run with the balll like ronaldo, he is not a good header, let's say that he is a typical winger,but a tremendous potential. Quaresma for me is in the same league as Ronaldo, a different kind of player but just look at the goal he scored against Belgium( I've seen it at least 5 goals from him like that and his crosses puts Ronaldos in a corner). Great freekicks. What can I say Frederick Quaresma is a finish product and Nani is a 2 years prospect to get to both CR and Quaresmas level. Quaresma as a lot of clubs after him with At.Madrid willing to pay 20 nillion for him but he says quite rightly that to move from Porto wil be to another big in Europe. I know for a fact that he is a good CRs friend and would love to play along with him. So what is United waiting for. Just for you to see how sincere I am: I'am a Benfica fan and we love Simao but Quaresma is a better buy. Moutinho is short( 1,67 maybe like Scholes) and he is a box to box player... WHAT A PLAYER don't forget that this comes from a Benfica supporter.
Cheers Frederick. By the way I spend al lot of time in Sweden, Gothenurg. where are u?

Andy (26/03/2007 at 18:06)

Quaresma is fantastic, just search for him on You Tube, you'll see what I mean. To have him and Ronnie on either flank would be awesome.

Fredrik, Sweden (27/03/2007 at 09:05)

Thank you Valtinho, that info more or less confirm my views of the players (I have just seen glimpses of them). So it sounds like we should go for Quaresma. I know that we followed him closely before he went to Barca, but he's still young and Ronaldo and Quaresma on the wings would be a dream.
I'm in the Stockholm area but I'm in Gothenburg a couple of times each year.

Birdy, Ireland (27/03/2007 at 09:10)

Regards Nani, dont Utd have a link with Sporting Lisbon, some sort of agreement on their players, liek a first option?

VALTINHO, LISBON (27/03/2007 at 11:04)

YES Birdy, Ireland
United has a link with Sporting( thanks Queiros.....). I am sure United could buy him if they wanted to spend the money on him but he will be expensive.
Moutinho should be first priority from Sporting and Quaresma from Porto.

RedBlooded4Ever, Accra, Ghana (28/03/2007 at 20:47)

I saw the goals and think Queresma's was pure genius. He is very gifted player although I didn't like some of his attitudes in porto's match against chelsea. He just seemed to stop playing when he felt he should be awarded a free kick. He should play to the whistle. Nontheless, I would love to have him and ronnie an Utd. Ronaldo is the Best!!!!

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