Cristiano Ronaldo Number 9

Real Madrid Fans Flock to BMO Field

cristiano*1 — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 01:30:24 +0000

Mike Cassese/Reuters Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo laughs during a practice session in Toronto to prepare for a friendly against Toronto FC on Friday night.

TORONTO — The word “massive” is in heavy rotation with Toronto FC head coach Chris Cummins. If anything is of the slightest importance, to Cummins, it is massive.

So as he looked into a filled-to-the-brim media room as three members of Real Madrid, along with Toronto captain Jim Brennan, took questions from the media, there was no doubting what was to come next.

“It’s a massive occasion,” Cummins said.

Well, he should expect a few rolling eyes the next time he uses the word to describe the Major League Soccer playoff race. That, after all, is not this.

Everything Real Madrid does is a spectacle, and their two-day trip to Toronto was no exception. Arguably the most famous club in the world, one which has gone on a US$350-million-plus spending spree this summer, Madrid will play at BMO Field Friday night.

Before manager Manuel Pellegrini, midfielder Jose Maria Gutierrez – his friends call him Guti – and goalkeeper Iker Casillas answered some questions from the media, hundreds of fans waited on the West side of the stadium waiting for the team to arrive.

“There’s the bus,” one younger fan yelled minutes before the 6:30 p.m. press conference started. An open practice (open, as long as you forked over $15) followed.

Indeed, a white coach bus was coming around the corner. Alas, it was not Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka or any other Madrid star walking out of the door; it was the 30-plus Spanish media members traveling with the team.

“The responsibility for managing Real Madrid is big enough,” Pellegrini said through a translator when asked about the hype that surrounds the club, especially this year. “We have to go after the championship with each and every competition that we play. But the better the players, the better the squad, the happier that everyone can be, coaches and fans for Real Madrid.”

And while Madrid is the biggest team in the world, the attention does not appear to faze the players. Guti, the 32-year-old vice-captain, whose boyish bangs belie his relative advancing age, had his chin firmly planted on his hand, propped up by his elbow, for much of the press conference.

The reported 18,000 fans who did pay the $15 price looked anything but bored, however. To start things off, a fan, clad in Madrid’s famous all-white jerseys ran on to the field. Security guards quickly swallowed him up. From then on, it was all the trappings of a practice – some stretching, a half-field game on the freshly laid grass, lots of water breaks – with the odd addition of chanting.

At one point, the fans stomped on the metal stands in unison. When Ronaldo – by far the marquee attraction, with fans in his new No. 9 Madrid jersey, his old No. 9 Manchester United jersey, and his current No. 17 Portuguese jersey in attendance – was hauled down during the scrimmage, fans booed and whistled for a penalty.

To paraphrase Allen Iverson, they were talking about practice.

The game will surely be a study in contrast. There will be phenomenally wealthy Madrid, and there will be Toronto FC, whose highest-paid player, Dwayne De Rosario, does not even bring in US$1-million annually.

It is as if, in the height of the Michael Jordan era, the Chicago Bulls traveled to Germany to play a middle-of-the-pack team. Except, of course, Madrid has not experienced much in the way of championship-level success recently.

“I know who they are of course,” Toronto defender Marvell Wynne said after his club went through a practice in the morning. “I’ve got to respect the way they play. I’m not going to be in awe or anything, on the pitch at least. I’ll wait until we get off the pitch, and then I’ll be giggling like a schoolgirl trying to get an autograph or a jersey.”

In that sense, he would have been in good company last evening. As the Madrid heroes left the stadium after their hour on the field, the first song that played was the Shop Boyz’ 2007 hit “Party Like A Rockstar.”

For this group, the tune was perfectly apt.

Source:

National Post

Toronto Hotspots Vying for Cristiano Ronaldo’s Attention

cristiano*1 — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:51:45 +0000

RENE JOHNSTON/TORONTO STAR

Real Madrid soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo arrives in Toronto at the Sheraton Centre Hotel, where he was greeted by hundreds of screaming and charging fans. (Aug. 6, 2009)

Suggestions for Ronaldo’s stay in Toronto

David Beckham is so passé.

Today, Toronto corner-kicks its way into soccer’s high society when Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, the $144 million man for fabled Spanish club Real Madrid, plays a little footsie with his smitten host city before tomorrow’s exhibition game against Toronto Football Club.

The 24-year-old sculpted heartthrob, whose six-year deal this summer with Real made him the richest man in soccer history, is an A-list celebrity on the pitch and the nightclub scene.

Hounded by paparazzi hungry for steamy moments such as his recent grappling with Paris Hilton, Ronaldo handles squads of international rivals and panting young beauties with equal agility: eye contact, a quick tease, then he’s gone.

While opponents admire him, not all women do.

One spurned Spanish girlfriend, who unwisely tattooed his initials on her wrist before she had managed to get a ring on her finger, ratted out Senhor Sixpack’s secrets, calling him a vain mama’s boy who waxes his chest. But that hairless chest and those speed bump abs – boldly splashed across the front page of the Star last month when the reigning “footballer of the year” signed with Real – add to the playmaking playboy’s mystique.

Okay, that and some partying involving hookers a few years back, as tattled by the British press. And might as well mention totalling his Ferrari in January en route to practise with his old club, Manchester United.

Understandably, No. 9′s trip to play local lads TFC at BMO Field tomorrow in a “friendly” – soccer talk for exhibition match – that pays Real Madrid $1 million to show up has the city’s Portuguese-Canadian community buzzing.

“It’s huge, it’s a very big deal,” said Frederica Gomes, a 24-year-old Ph.D. student at Ryerson who’s studying Portuguese youth in Toronto.

“Portuguese people hardly get recognized – or at least, we feel that way. And to have this international soccer star who is the best-paid player in the world is a big deal for the Portuguese-Canadian community because it gives us a bit of recognition.”

Recognition won’t be a problem when Ronaldo strolls Toronto streets on legs recently insured by his Spanish employers for a reported $162 million.

But how to spend his time and money when he’s not on BMO Field’s natural grass, shipped in exclusively for elite Real feet? We offer some suggestions that might be reminiscent of home:

1. Chiado: Owner Albino Silva is not the type to cook and tell – if Real Madrid is booked at his fine dining restaurant on College St., he’s not saying. However, the Portuguese national (who has catered to the palates of Beckham and Pelé) told the Star that if Ronaldo did drop in, he would create a rustic meal around scabbard, a fish that abounds near the athlete’s home island of Madeira.

2. Churrasco: If Ronaldo wants to go less formal, Portuguese-style BBQ chicken, brushed with Piri-Piri (Portuguese hot sauce), is a highlight at many Little Portugal churrasqueiras. Examples: Sardinha O Rei dos Frangos on Bloor St., Bairrada Churrasqueira on College and Alex Rei Dos Leitoes on Ossington near Dundas. Cafes are also plentiful, serving pastel de nata, which is a type of egg tart found in Portugal’s pastry shops.

3. Children: Many Portuguese-Canadian families use the cramped Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club, which needs $1.5 million to build a second storey. Canadian singer Nelly Furtado, who has a home in Toronto, has helped with fundraising. Hey, Ronaldo, how about a pick-up game of soccer with the kids? As for a donation, that’s up to you.

4. Say cheese: As one of the most photographed men in the world, the winger might enjoy a photographer known for courtesy. George Pimentel, a Toronto-born man of Portuguese descent, has snapped many celebrities, and No. 9 might consider making an appointment.

5. Chic: Ronaldo knows his way around fashion, with his own CR7 boutiques in Portugal. He could check out the competition at Holt Renfrew, where Portuguese-Canadian designer Arthur Mendonca’s work is on display.

Source:

The Toronto Star

Cristiano Ronaldo Called up for World Cup ’10 Qualifier

cristiano*1 — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:46:05 +0000

Portugal coach called up Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Pepe and Simao, among others, for the friendly game against Liechtenstein on August 12.

The additions to Fernando Queiroz’s squad for Portugal friendly game in Vaduz, against Liechtenstein, are Porto and Benfica goalkeepers, Beto and Moreira respectively.
Of course Cristiano Ronaldo is included, as well as Real Madrid teammate Pepe. Queiroz picked also Deco, Nani and Simao.

Portugal stand third in Qualifying Group 1 for World Cup 2010, four points behind second place Hungary and trailing leaders Denmark by seven. This friendly game against Liechtenstein will be used as a test to tune up the squad for their qualifier in September.

Source:

SportsYa

Real Insures Cristiano Ronaldo’s Legs

cristiano*1 — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:17:52 +0000

Real Madrid have insured Cristiano Ronaldo’s legs for £90million after the Portuguese winger picked up a knock in pre-season.

Ronaldo suffered a minor knee injury after being tackled in the Peace Cup semi-final against Juventus in Seville on Friday.

The 24-year-old has been given the all-clear by doctors but Real are nervous he might pick up a long-term injury in the future.

Fears: Real took out the insurance policy after Ronaldo was tackle in Peace Cup

Real paid an £80m world-record fee for Ronaldo in June and have now taken steps to protect their investment by taking out a insurance policy. Ronaldo has already been fouled 34 times in three pre-season games.

The former Manchester United star, meanwhile, has sold his old home in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, to new Manchester City signing Emmanuel Adebayor for £5.5m – who beat off competition from team-mates Kolo Toure, Gareth Barry and Carlos Tevez.

Ronaldo has made a £1.65million profit after paying £3.85million for the seven-bedroom mansion last year.

Source:

Daily Mail

Cristiano sells his Bentley

cristiano*1 — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:10:56 +0000

Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s much publicized £80 million move from English Premier League Champions Manchester United to Spanish giants Real Madrid not only has the Portuguese winger sold his luxury Cheshire mansion reportably to Manchester City new boy Emanuel Abebayor for £5.5 million, but has also sold two of his cars.

Manchester-based company Vehicle Consulting was used to sell Ronaldo’s 2004 Mercedes Benz C-Class and 2008 Bentley Continental GT Speed, similar to the one pictured, with the latter fetching £115,000. The five year old Mercedes C-Class sold for substantially sell than the Bentley.

The Continental GT Speed is the most powerful production Bentley ever and the first to top 200mph, thanks to the W12 engine delivering 600bhp and a 9% increase in power over the standard Continental GT.

Ronaldo who at the turn of 2009 smashed and wrote off his Ferrari in a tunnel under a Manchester Airport runway, has finally joined his boyhood club after almost leaving the English champions in the summer of 2008.

Source:

Fleet Directory

Cristiano Ronaldo Disses Ex-Girlfriend Aug 1

cristiano*1 — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:57:31 +0000

Cristiano Ronaldo Disses Ex-Girlfriend Outside Majorca Nightclub

Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo dissed ex-girlfriend Nereida Gallardo outside a Majorca nightclub August 1.

Cristiano, 24, was walking to his car after an evening at a disco when Gallardo, 26, tried to approach him to say hello. Paparazzi photos show that Ronaldo did not make eye contact with Nereida, who was quickly escorted away from the Portuguese soccer stud by security guards.

Gallardo pleaded with security staff to let her through by insisting, “But he is my ex-boyfriend.” However, a completely uninterested Ronaldo ignored her and continued walking, reports the Daily Mail.

Cristiano and Nereida had dated for several months last summer, when the attractive couple enjoyed a sun-splashed vacation in Sardinia. Ronaldo rented out a $20 million luxury yacht to sail the Mediterranean with the sexy Gallardo, whom he had met five months earlier at a Majorcan nightclub.

Nereida, a one-time nursing assistant, is an aspiring model who has posed topless in cheesy girly magazines and has competed in bikini contests. Shortly following their luxury Sardinian holiday, Ronaldo reportedly dumped Gallardo after growing tired of the lurid headlines about Nereida’s seedy, bed-hopping past.

Spanish and Portuguese tabloids have reported that Gallardo, who previously had a fling with Spanish footballer Sergio Ramos, had once dated soccer agent Pedro Campane, 41. In an interview with News of the World, Campane revealed that Nereida has a wild side. “She was like a wild animal in bed,” he said, adding the two slept together the first night they met.

“She didn’t have any [sexual] hang-ups,” he said. “She liked doing everything in every position. Nereida doesn’t know much about football but she knows lots about men and how to please them.” Campane also revealed that Gallardo has bedded other soccer players in the past, and cares only for men with money.

For now, one “man with money” has definitely moved on from the gold-digging Nereida. Ronaldo, who won the 2008 FIFA Player of the Year award for scoring a staggering 42 goals last season, made international headlines when Manchester United agreed to sell him to Real Madrid for $131 million, making him the most expensive player in football history.

Despite his success, Cris has no intention of resting on his laurels. “I want to get better and better,” he says. “My ambition is huge. I want to go down in history as one of the greatest players ever.”

The Spanish soccer season begins Aug. 29.

By Samantha Chang

Source: TheImproper.com

Freestyle 2008

cristiano*1 — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 02:32:35 +0000

Freestyle battle between Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma.

Penalty Kick – Peace Cup – Real Madrid v Juventus

cristiano*1 — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:52:45 +0000

Cristiano’s Penalty Kick Goal from yesterdays match against Juventus

Off to Toronto

cristiano*1 — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:48:20 +0000

Having been eliminated from the Peace Cup at the hands of Juventus. Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid are headed to Toronto to face the MLS team Toronto FC in their next friendly. This game takes place on August 7. 2009.

Friendly Schedule:

August 7, 2009 Toronto FC
August 9, 2009 DC United
August 19, 2009 Borussia
August 25, 2009 AC Milan

I’ll be the new Cristiano Ronaldo

cristiano*1 — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:47:51 +0000

Aston Villa – Ashley Young is ready to take over from Ronaldo

Ashley Young

“We have often been compared by some but I have my own style”

Ashley Young says he is ready to take over the mantel of the No.1 winger in the Premier League following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.

The Aston Villa and England star, voted the PFA Young Player of the Year last season, has been linked with a move to both Spurs and Chelsea, but Villa boss Martin O’Neill insists he is determined to keep hold of the £25 million-rated player.

Young, who is currently with the Villa squad preparing to meet Porto in the Peace Cup semi-final in Malaga, said: “Ronaldo is a world-class player and for him to leave is disappointing.

“He was a fantastic player in the Premier League and he is a world-beater. I would still like to play against him as he is another winger.

“We have often been compared by some but I have my own style. If more people start talking about me and paying me compliments now he has gone I will be pleased.”

Young, who arrived at Villa Park from Watford in a £9.5 million deal, believes Villa can still challenge for a Champions League spot next term despite the departure of skipper Gareth Barry and the retirement of key defender Martin Laursen.

He added, “I am extremely happy at Villa and I am delighted with the way things have gone.

“The manager and chairman have big ambitions. You always want to play in the Champions League and I think Villa can do that.”

And Young has the added incentive of trying to push for a place in Fabio Capello’s England squad for next summer’s World Cup, but right now he is concentrating solely on doing well for his club side.

“I know we have the World Cup next year but the new season coming up is the main focus of my thinking,” he said.

By Mark Shail July 31, 2009

Source: Give Me Football