SPORTING HEROES
INTERVIEW BY CHRIS HATHERALL |
Q&A
Cristiano Ronaldo
CRISTIANO RONALDO is regarded by some people as the greatest player in the world, and has won some of the biggest trophies in football with Manchester United. But the Portuguese superstar still has big dreams left in club football – like winning the Champions League. With United reaching the last 16 of this year’s tournament, Ronaldo has the trophy in his sights and is ready to do anything he can to lift it. Here we talk to the skilful winger about the search for his own personal Holy Grail….
It was a smooth ride for Manchester United this year. Are you feeling confident?
I am. This year I think we have the team to do it. We qualified after only a few games with wins over my old team Sporting Lisbon, Roma and Dynamo Kiev. That can help you a lot because you are not so tired for the later rounds.
Only two years ago Manchester United were knocked out of the Champions League in the first group stage. Then last year they reached the semi-finals before losing to Milan, and this year they are one of the favourites to win it. Do you think the team is improving?
I do. We have a better and stronger squad now – we have more options. The boss changed a few players and we have great quality. And when you have quality you are sure to have a lot of chances to score goals.
So you have a chance to win the trophy this time?
Manchester United has an opportunity to win every trophy because it is such a big club – but I think this year we have a better chance than last year. We have better players. So we have to have the belief that we’re going to be able to do it.
The partnership up front between Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, although it has been interrupted by injury at times, looks a hugely promising one. Does it impress you?
They play so well together, they have been fantastic and are getting better and better all the time. It’s a joy to play alongside them. A lot of people said they couldn’t play together but they have proved that they can.
Do you think Manchester United can win the Premier League as well as the Champions League this season?
I think so but Arsenal and Liverpool are very strong as well this season so it will be close. Arsenal are playing fantastic football at the moment and have a young team. Liverpool have got new players as well. But I believe Manchester United is the best side and we will win in the end.
Things are going very well for you personally and you have even brought out an autobiography about your life called Moments. Isn’t it a bit too early to write one of those? You are still very young!
It is not a normal autobiography, like the title says it is about moments in my life. It’s to show people the real Ronaldo. The book is very special to me and I am very proud of it. I feel very lucky, because this book shows a bit more about Cristiano Ronaldo, both on and off the pitch.
There are occasionally stories linking you with big clubs in Italy and Spain. Do you think you will stay in Manchester for a lot longer?
Ever since the time I was growing up I’ve known that United is the right club for me. But it’s not just the club, it’s also the people here – the players, the supporters. They have been fantastic for me. I’m enjoying staying here, I’m enjoying playing here for five years and I want to stay a lot longer.
What about the United manager Sir Alex Ferguson? Has he been a big influence on your career?
Of course. He’s why I’m here; it’s entirely because of him. He gave me the confidence to play, and it’s because of him that I know I’m in the right place and playing with the right people.
If you had to choose one trophy to win this season, which one would it be?
My dream now is to win the Champions League. The Premier League of course I want to win again because it’s a great feeling when you win something. But my dream and the dream of my colleagues and my friends is to win the Champions League. I have never won it before and I want to win it this season. I think we have the team to do it – I think we have the players to do it, so why not?
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