Ronaldo on a treble mission

Stuart Mathieson

March 06, 2008

GOAL: Ronaldo and Anderson against Lyon

GOLDEN boy Cristiano Ronaldo is pursuing team glory rather than personal triumphs.

The United star's priority is the treble with the honour of being Champions League top scorer low on his priority list.

The 23-year-old's winner against Lyon that put the Reds into the quarter-finals of the European Cup was his 30th of a phenomenal campaign.

He is vying with Barcelona's Lionel Messi as the tournament's top hitman with both on six goals for the European campaign.

Last season Milan's Kaka won the award with 10 Champions League goals. His winner's medal and goal haul tipped the balance as he beat Ronaldo and Messi in the prestigious Ballon d'or European Player of the Year and FIFA's World Player of the Year for 2007.

But a private battle with Barca's Messi isn't a major item on Ronaldo's agenda.

"I don't think about being the top scorer in the Champions League," the Portuguese international said.

"If it happens it would be wonderful. But all I am bothered about is winning the next game for United and making sure we win some silverware.

"We are playing nice football, the team is more mature and we want to win everything.

Duck

"We have the opportunity and we have the squad and players to do well."

It was only last April Ronaldo broke his Champions League duck for United following a 26-match barren spell in Europe.

His double against Roma at Old Trafford in the 7-1 massacre opened the floodgates.

His winner in the 1-0 victory against Lyon on Tuesday night was his ninth in the last ten European matches.

"I never thought last season about not having scored in Europe. It was a long time but I wasn't letting that worry me," said Cristiano.

"But since it has been fantastic for me. I am in good form and I want to keep that going.

"The most important thing is to win trophies but I want to score more goals.

"It is all about how the team are playing that is helping me. I am getting good passes and I think this is why I am scoring. I am excited about the future and I am feeling really good."

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Demo, Glossop (06/03/2008 at 09:31)

it is wierd to think how he couldnt score in CL and then these days he just cant stop scoring - i love it!

we need to play good football and play to our strengths i.e attacking flowing football. we are not a defensive machine a.k.a chelsea and any attempts at doing that backfires!

Robbo, North Stand (06/03/2008 at 09:46)

I think anyone watching on Tuesday would conclude Ronaldo IS pursuing personal triumphs rather than team glory. My biggest bugbear is all the pointless head-shaking, arm-wringing and/or team-mate gesturing when he, say, duffs a free kick or gives a crap pass (there were lots of those on Tuesday!). Just stop all the posing and get on with it, for flip's sake! Ronaldo talks a lot about 'helping the team' in interviews, yet rarely lives up to that where it really matters, on the pitch. He could learn a lot from someone like Tevez, a genuinely selfless team man who was back covering on his own goal line in the dying minutes. Ronaldo has had far too much praise, far, far too soon - to take his game up a level, he needs to start playing with poise and maturity. Tuesday night, conversely, was a performance of colossal IMMATURITY.

joey (06/03/2008 at 11:29)

To Robbo : In all fairness, people forget that He's only 23. You might say that's old, but not until he was 23 did Paul Scholes get a regular place in the Man Utd side, this kid had one at 18. He's still maturing, and he will get more mature with time, all footballers do, but what matters the most is he delivers. We needed a goal, he delivered a goal.

jordy, Middleton (06/03/2008 at 12:13)

Go easy Robbo. The posturing the other night was born of sheer frustration. He doesn't hide his feelings. But to lay into him like you did was harsh. 30 goals already this season from a winger is tremendous. Let's appreciate the GOOD he brings to the team, instead of the negativity.

A Groenendijk (06/03/2008 at 12:56)

Yeah right

Gerry, Glastonbury (06/03/2008 at 12:56)

I must admit his filmstar posturing does get on my t**s at times but he is so vital to the side that I'll put up with it - until the goals & assists dry up, and then he's fair game for some consistent abuse!
More important to me is that he retains his form through the business end of the season. From the Milan games last season he was awful and he may as well have spent his time with The Fletch at his Haggas barbecues.
I think everyone appreciates how vital Ronnie on song is to our chances of winning trophies again this season.

Roy (06/03/2008 at 13:06)

Robbo, there is some truth in what you say but then Ronaldo is far from the finished article.

He will become more of a team player and his understanding of when to pass and when to go for personal triumph will only improve.

But let's state it how it is: Ronaldo's goal got us to the next round. Lyon could easily have scored in the 2nd half and without his goal we would be out. Ive not worked out how many of his league goals can be equated to points but it must be into double figures by now.

Let him posture, shrug his shoulders and on occasion shoot when he should pass: United have a player that will be the world's greatest for several years to come.

Mr C., Chorlton, Manchester. (06/03/2008 at 13:29)

This is slightly off topic but Ronaldo and Vidic are both 1 yellow card away for a suspension. If they get their 5th this weekend against Portsmouth then they'll both miss the away game against Derby (which Utd should be able to cope with). However, if they are still on 4 yellows going into the Derby game then I hope they are both rested for that match (a 5th yellow picked up against Derby will put them both out of the Liverpool game). I assume SAF will be aware of this.
Anyway, let's hope that this great team finishes the season strongly. Bring it on!

Little Red Devil, England (06/03/2008 at 13:42)

Robbo:
Ronaldo is the main reason we are second in the prem and in the QF of the CL, so lay off him and remember he has scored 30 goals this season, none more important than the Lyon goal, a chance many of his team mates would have missed.
He shows his emotions on the pitch , it shows he cares, about the team.
He wants to win the CL, Prem , FA Cup just as much as any other United player does, and he may also want to be named the best player in so world but so what, i'm sure most of the world's footballer would also like such honor, only most have not got the talent to be whereas Ronaldo has and he knows it.

Berbatov behaves like a spoilt brat , Gallas the same. Rooney when he is frustrated or when things aren't going his own way, usually hacks down another player with a rash challenge gets booked and give the Ref a lesson in swear words. Ronaldo isn't the only player. So lay off and give him a break , United have been living off his goals all season, which was very evident against Lyon.

shola-shoneils, Finland (06/03/2008 at 14:49)

Robbo, i think i understand what u r talking about. I am also one of your likes that doesn't fancy what he does@times.

But whats important to me n i suppose the team is winning games and trophies. Thats all.

Surely, he's gonna stop that soon. I hope he gets as much goals as possible to ensure we crown this season with the treble. Long live CR7! Long live Manchester United!

COLIN,, Canada (06/03/2008 at 14:50)

In golf, I can't stand all the "tiger" adulation and the constant media attention but I do admire the man's talents. Ronaldo is in that stratosphere where he is an absolute standout. His mates know it and you can see how they feel about him when he scores. He gets fouled so much the refs pass on half of them so it's frustrating for him and he shows it. Being a Fletcher fan I was ticked when he ran into space and Ronaldo didn't give him the ball whereas Roo or Tevez would have got the pass. He doesn't track back as much as say Rooney does but it means someone has to stay back and watch him as no one is more dangerous on the break. I think we will see more shots on target this weekend and a better pasing game. The give aways against Lyon were unacceptable but Lyon turned out to be a much better team than many gave them credit for. Right now I'm more worried about Nani's attitude than Ronny's. He needs several doses of the hairdrier.

VALTINHO, LISBON (06/03/2008 at 15:35)

Robbo, North Stand; are you joking mate...I'm afraid that if Ronaldo doesn't move on to a spanish club he will end like Ryan Giggs and will never get the credits for his achievements. He just scored a winner at a CL match, leads both the CL and PL as the top scorer and don't forget that he was top scorer at the EURO qualifiers for Portugal. 30 goals so far, as a winger, two from Best's record and you still not happy. I can't understand it and then you ask for loyalty blablabla. Tevez and Rooney together haven't scored Ronaldo's ammount of goals, if you are a winger or a forward you don't have to spend all your energies defending otherwise you can't make the difference when you come forward, that happens for both Tevez and Rooney. Ronaldo does his contribuition by scoring and assisting. If you not happy with him sell him to Madrid they are desperated to get him. you bunch of loosers.

BigNorm_85 (06/03/2008 at 16:36)

Robbo - Absolutely spot on with your comments. No-one could doubt Ronaldo's contribution. He's been immense this season overall but he definitely loses the team ethic from time to time. He's a victim of his own success unfortunately. He needs to pick his moments for the stepovers and all that stuff. We all love to see it when it works but there's a time and place to knock it on the head if it's not working in a game. I've noticed early in big games he does this non-sensical trick where he moves the ball between his feet as fast as he can while standing in one spot. On numerous occasions it fails to work and he gets robbed of the ball or the ball goes out of play. The temper tantrums are unnecessary and maybe they will disappear with age but showing frustration in that sense merely encourages the opposition that they're doing a good job with him. There will be nights when he's unplayable but there will also be nights where it just isn't coming off. In those instances I wish he could just grasp the team ethic and play the simple ball or play to his strenghts (pace and power),beat his man on the line and send in a telling ball. If Ronaldo has a half chance but his teammate has a completely open net, he'll choose to shoot. Rooney and Tevez will always play the unselfish ball. I'm not trying to favour any player over another, I'm just trying to make the point that the ability to choose the right option is priceless. His ego could be his worst enemy. I think at times against top oppsosition at home or in Europe, he has it in his head that he needs to show the opposition, on a personal level, that he is Ronaldo - one of the greatest players in the world. He doesn't need to do that. The recognition will come through his natural game, his truely exceptional ability, rather than through him trying to show his repertoire of tricks. The greatest lesson he could keep with him is to keep his feet on the ground and keep his ego in check. That would certainly be best thing for Man U.

Frank Old Trafford (06/03/2008 at 16:41)

Everyone has players they love or hate and it has nothing to do with thier ability; e.g. I like JOS but I don't like DF and my views of thier performances are biased by that. Players who are always in the limelight can either play up to the camera or shun it, Ron milks it and a lot of people hate that.

The same happened with Becks and there are still a lot United fans who hate him because of his showbiz antics and that clouds thier judgement of his football.

I think he's being sincere, I'm sure he wants to win best player and he knows that it'll probably be a player from the CL winners or the Euro winners. So his goals are those of United and of Portugal.

To argue that his "selfish" style of play is ineffective is baseless. How can a player who has scored 30 goals be ineffective? It's like when people said that Ruud was lazy and didn't track back blah blah, he's world class end of, and he did his job!

The only place I want Ron to be is in our team because with him we will always have the edge. Anything is possible for this team and with a bit of luck we'll get there

Jim Polley (06/03/2008 at 17:43)

VALTINHO, there is no player that should be beyond criticism, we all know Ronaldo's talents, but all, including you have to face up to his downsides. There can be no doubt that some of his "silly" moves on Tuesday could have lead to disasterous results, and then the hero would have been the goat. Every player has room for improvement, and when Ronny sorts out when he should or shouldn't mess around, and play straight up football, he will be even better. As well, I think he should share the free kick duties, as he has been living off his "wow" free kick but overall, has not produced much in that regard. Oh and do you suggest that Real, who have a whole team of "more myth than reality" players would be a better place for him? I don't see why a Spanish club is the only place one can get recognition???? Ryan was correct to resist the lure, he is a legend, playing in what has become the world's best league, and significantly has been loyal to his team, not just himself.

Sam Davis (06/03/2008 at 18:16)

I suppose you do realize that he is still just a kid and still will not reach his prime for another 4-5 years. Sometimes, people just don't appreciate how good this guy is until he is playing somewhere else. I hope Ferggie last another 4 years that way Ronaldo will be at United until at least 27-28 years old. That we you will see barring injury and player that is unplayable. If he improves at the rate he is improving right now United will be unstoppable. Anyone who says Ronaldo has not improve every year in the 5 years at OT is blind or just being spiteful. Appreciate this kid while he at United because if he leaves we will regret it. What you should be worried about is how awful Rooney first touch has become and how he doesn't look like he will ever score again from open play. Sure, I love Rooney work rate but we could get anybody to run around and track back on defense. What we need is someone beside Ronaldo to put the ball in the net.

red (07/03/2008 at 00:23)

Doesn't matter who wins. This season has been one of the best ever for entertainment in "English" club football. Certainly the top three have played well, but so too have a half dozen other sides. If Arsenal and United falter, Chelsea will seize the moment. They could still snatch the treble.

TMUF, Manchester (07/03/2008 at 01:20)

Robbo you are so PATHETIC!!!

Still sour about the World Cup. I am convinced that if he were English, you wouldnt think twice about naming him the best player in the WORLD.

He has scored 53 goals in less than 2 seasons and is a winger!!!

He is clearly the best player in the world and for you to get upset about his passion for the game.

What is even more PATHETIC is that he scored the WINNING goal to put us level on home games won.

If ever there was one person in a team who doesnt deserve criticsm, then surely its the man who has scored 30 goals by March and near enough double the next closest goal scorer.

From your post i can tell you probably weren't born when Cantona was strutting his stuff!

mr man utd (07/03/2008 at 08:35)

I agree with Valtinho,some people here DONT have a clue in what they post about Ronaldo.I watched the Lyon game again and must say the whole front four was below par but you cant fault Ronnie for his frustrations. I was more frustrated than them with regards to their finishing but a man score the wanted goals and people still complain.30 goals in a season should be enough to tell you about someone's capabilities moreso coming from the wing.

People want Ronnie to track back and he often does but thats not what he is in there for,he is a player to get goals as Rooney is so frustrating at the minute in front of goals,AM sure thats why in certain games Ronnie is asked to drift to the centre by Fergie and it doesnt have anything to do with tracking back or not.

For one fellow Reds,lets appreciate the talent we have rather than just moan on what he cant do.

VALTINHO, LISBON (07/03/2008 at 09:20)

Jim Polley, I post here quite often and if you would be here as often as me you would know that I want Ronaldo to stay at United but what makes me wonder is the ammount of people that still writting about his need to improve this and that. He is 23 and offcourse you can allways get better but when it comes to CR he is already dominating world's football and with Kaká out of the race, Messi injured and United doing well at the CL he has 90% of chances of becomming worlds best. Name any United player that achieved that or any PL player in the last years( 10,20??). 30 goals says it all....watch him and enjoy him while it lasts.

Mushhhty (07/03/2008 at 10:02)

Valtinho - please do not be upset at some of the comments on here. The majority of us ``real`` fans love Ronaldo and recognize that we are blessed with having one of the future greats playing for us. An amazing player. IMHO ten times the player rooney will EVER be.

Robbo, North Stand (07/03/2008 at 11:08)

Look, why is it on here that even the mildest criticism of CR7 inevitably leads to cries of 'Burn the Ronaldo hater!'? Or accusations of English nationalism, excess Rooney-love or some covert agenda to see him sod off to Spain? No, no and no, all I was talking about was Tuesday night and what I considered a selfish and immature performance (which it was!). As BigNorm points out, Ronaldo seems to see these games as some sort of Nike-esque commercial for his own individual talents (Ballon d'Or judges, are you watching?) He over-elaborates, tries to force things and generally hams it up in a tiresome and team-neglecting way. What he needs to learn is that great players don't dominate big games by going out and saying, "Right! I'm going to self-consciously dominate this big game!" Quite the opposite, they just relax, play their normal game and the domination flows as a result of their talent. Ronaldo undoubtedly has that talent, he just needs to relax and let it flow.

TMUF, Manchester (07/03/2008 at 11:38)

To add, people have pointed out that Tevez and Rooney track back, so if Ronaldo was also tracking back, what do we do with the ball when we win possesion?

Play the ball to no-one so it inevitably comes back, or leave someone up so we have a target to aim for?

I also have to ask, who would people rather defend, Tevez and Rooney or Ronaldo, and who is likely to be most dangerous on the ball in terms of a counter-attack?

As the more sensible people have pointed out, at 23 OF COURSE he isn't the complete player.

HOWEVER, if he doesnt improve from now till the end of his career, he will STILL be in contention of being the best player ever!

Frank Old Trafford (07/03/2008 at 11:55)

Robbo, you got any matches?

Duncan, London (07/03/2008 at 12:43)

I criticised Ronaldo for the match against Lyon. I didn't think that he played as well as he could and should have played the simple ball at times to ensure we retained possession. That said, he scored the winning goal with a very good finish and had a better game than Rooney (my opinion) and Lyon defended and pressured us extremely well.

In the context of the high expectations we have from Ronaldo I would like to see him remember to mix his individual game with interpassing that helps us retain possession where this is the priority. He didn't show that side of his game in that match for me and I hope that is just a one-off aberration caused by being under the spotlight of a high profile match. It is my only problem with our most valuable player though.

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