Fergie Tips Ronaldo For Greatness
(Soccer365.com) - Sir Alex Ferguson has urged Cristiano Ronaldo to use his five-year contract with Manchester United to prove he should be bracketed alongside the all-time legends of the game.
Despite constant speculation about a world-record move to Real Madrid or Barcelona, Ronaldo has opted to remain with the Old Trafford outfit, extending his stay until 2012.
While the deal had been largely anticipated, and will rocket Ronaldo into the Red Devils' top earnings bracket, it has provided the perfect backdrop to United's assault on the Treble, which continues with an FA Cup semi-final against Watford at Villa Park on Saturday.
Three points clear in the Premiership and a two-legged encounter with AC Milan away from a Champions League final, Ronaldo has been a major factor behind United's success this term.
The Portugal winger took his goals tally to 20 with a double in the midweek rout of AS Roma and such has been the consistency of his game this season, many pundits now believe he is currently the best player on the planet.
Team-mate Patrice Evra went even further this week, claiming Ronaldo had the ability to make the same impact as Pele and Maradona, widely accepted to be the best two players ever to grace the game.
Rather than shy away from the comparisons, Ferguson embraced them and does not necessarily feel the 22-year-old, who is about to complete his fourth season at Old Trafford, will fail to match them.
"At 22, he has the same skill factor as Maradona and Pele," said Ferguson.
"He is one of the best signings I have ever made. The measurement of his improvement this year is astronomical.
"In terms of top-flight football, where do you find a winger who has scored 20 goals. It is incredible.
"Without question, Cristiano is getting to the level of best player in the world.
"Thereafter, it is up to others to decide whether he is as good as Maradona and Pele. That is the challenge in front of him now."
Given stellar talents such as Zinedine Zidane, Johann Cruyff and George Best did not quite manage to climb into bracket reserved for the very elite, Ronaldo's task to do so is enormous.
As Ferguson pointed out, Pele's three World Cup final wins and 1300 career goals overshadows everyone, while Maradona's brilliance was the decisive factor in Argentina conquering the world in 1986.
Yet superlatives are starting to run out for Ronaldo, who began the campaign under such a cloud after the adverse publicity he received following his part in England's World Cup demise, Ferguson felt it necessary to have a chat with the youngster about his future.
"We had dinner with him in Portugal and stressed this had happened before to David Beckham," revealed the Scot.
"It is a seven-day wonder really.
"There is nothing wrong with booing. We get booed at most places. But he had the nerve to handle it. He still gets a bit of it but that is only because he is a great player."
Admitting his irritation with the presidential electioneering at Real and Barcelona which gave way to fears there may be substance in the rumours swirling out of Spain that Ronaldo was indeed bound for a better climate than Manchester has to offer, Ferguson also expressed supreme confidence Ronaldo has made a wise decision to stay where he is.
"He is happy here," he said.
"He can see his career has risen here. He is playing in front of 76,000 people every home game. These are important factors.
"There was no reason for him to think about leaving, other than the fact people perceive Real Madrid as a club for galacticos, or whatever they call them.
"They have this notion about themselves and Barcelona are a fantastic club too but I can't say they are miles in front of Manchester United.
"Most people recognise we are one of the biggest clubs in the world and we believe Cristiano is in the right place."
Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd is the next man to try to find a way of stopping Ronaldo, who is bound to figure in a United side which will be bolstered by the return of Paul Scholes from suspension.
Given Scholes is being introduced to a side which hammered seven past Roma in midweek, it is hardly a surprise the Hornets are being totally written off.
Ferguson is too canny to take anything for granted. However, having won all seven of his previous FA Cup semi-finals, it would rank among the tournaments biggest upsets if the run came to an end this weekend.
"We respect Watford," he said.
"They have a good manager, an honest bunch of players and a bit of pace up front.
"But I have never lost a semi-final and hopefully that statistic still holds on Saturday night."
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Comments
Ronaldo is not only a great player he's shown he also has a brain by signing until 2012 with United! No way Madrid or Barca ever had a chance to sign him as both clubs have problems and could not offer him the same amount for a contract. There would be no sense for him to sign with losing sides like Madrid & Barca anyway. Good for Ronaldo! Good for United! You lost out like you were booted out of the CL Madrid & Barca!
Posted by: Roger | April 14, 2007 07:53 PM
A lot of people don't know this but Madrid as a club has money problems & always has. They spend more than they take in. Some years back they sold the stadium to the city who in turn gave it back to them as a present for the club. They do have money problems & on top of all that they have Elton John's Brother coaching them.
Posted by: Stanley | April 14, 2007 08:00 PM
Christiano Ronaldo is clearly the best player in the world. His vision is exceptional, he has superb bursts of speed, and without a doubt has some of the most penetrating ball skills in the world. His ability to read a defence is what allows him to make that defence look like a bunch of fools. This new contract is a positive for United, in that Ronaldo will be around to show what the public has not see... more moves, more goals, and most of all, more wins.
Posted by: Greg | April 14, 2007 08:58 PM
Cristiano needs no encouragement, he's a great player and can't hide it.
Posted by: Tesoro | April 14, 2007 09:05 PM
Guess all these knuckle heads here that said he was going to Madrid or Barcelona were WRONG! He knows very well where his bread is buttered. It's good he's staying at United as United are a quality club & his skills work perfect in the EPL.
Posted by: Dave | April 14, 2007 11:34 PM
Yeah Dave I was one of those knuckle heads. I thought Ronaldo was gonna go to Madrid, but I'm man enough to admit when I am wrong. Not only is Ronaldo the best player on the planet right now but I'll go as far as saying he's better right now than when Pele or Maradona were at their peaks. The way he runs and cuts with the ball is absolutely incredible. This kid can take free kicks, pass, score and run like an olympic sprinter, and he's only going to get better. Watch him to become to soccer what Micheal Jordan was to basketball. I didn't like him before because of his sneaky antics during the world cup but I think he has grown and matured quite a bit not to mention elevating the level of his game. I don't think there can be any debate as to who the best is. I don't think there is any coach in Europe who would rather have Ronaldinho instead of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Posted by: giova * * * * | April 15, 2007 04:50 PM
Well I think it's good Ronaldo is staying on with United. United are a very good team & might not be the best club team in the world at any given moment but for sure one of the best. What I like about the club is like any other of the more powerful clubs in Europe United is full of stars but Fergie had a handle on things. The players' listen to him & respect him & he's able to keep their egos' in check. The one's that don't get with the program get booted & sent away in shame like the Los Angeles Galaxy's new over priced sub David Beckham. I respect Fergie for what he did with the loser Beckham.
Posted by: Roger | April 16, 2007 03:50 AM
yes he is doing very well right now until
he gets badly hurt and been out for 3 to 6 months we wil see. maradona ,vanbasten and all great players have been there .
some bounce back as great players so lets see.
i wish him well do not get me wrong now.
Posted by: soccer dr nyc | April 16, 2007 12:46 PM
Yeah well at least he's at the right club. If it were somewhere else & he were to get injured he might have problems. The only way a player can be sent packing from United is if they are not performing or if they give lip to the manager Fergie. Unlike a lot of other top flight managers' Fergie has all his players' respect & they don't get out of line with him.
Posted by: Dave | April 16, 2007 02:13 PM
Ronaldinho is the best in the world ever. At least in my opinion. Cristiano Ronaldo is good and may become the best in the world eventually, but he might just turn out like another David Beckham.
Posted by: Aaron | April 16, 2007 05:59 PM
Hello Aaron! you must be very careful here, people are not talking about nasty Dinho, they talk about World Best Player Cristiano Ronaldo!Please,please,please!
I appreciate your opinions your excellency Giova, soccer dr nyc, Dave,Roger, tesoro and Greg.
Posted by: Revelian.S.N | April 16, 2007 07:07 PM
HI Aaron WE KNOW THAT RONALDINHO IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD . HE DOES THINGS
DURING A GAME THAT OTHERS WILL TRY IN TRAINING
THAT,S WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.ANY BODY IN THE FORM CAN RUN FAST WITH SKILLS ON THE BALL LIKE CRISTIANO .HE IS VERY GOOD BUT DINHO
RULES.
Posted by: soccer dr nyc | April 17, 2007 11:57 AM
Ronaldo has been playing out of this world. His contributions for united against roma and Watford has cemented his place as the best player in the world at the moment. I am proud to say that he is a manchester united player and will be for a long time. United forever!
Posted by: bredred | April 17, 2007 12:41 PM
Aaron uh Cristiano Ronaldo is way past where david beckham was when he was young i mean. Ronaldo is wat Beckham dreamed of becoming. How could u say a player like Cristiano would maybe become like David Beckham. Ronaldo already is one of the top five best players in the world along with in my opinion Messi Ronaldinho, Drogba, and Cannovaro. (many would disagree with drogba). Cristiano is really young but still the best in the world. The amazing thing is he is still improving dramaticlly. Players like Robinho who have a lot of raw skill tht needs to be developed do have the fear of becoming like a Beckham. But when i player already has the skill and uses the skill he hads doesnt really need to worry about tht.
Posted by: RcFutbolFreak | April 17, 2007 01:35 PM
Ronaldo is better than any player at Barca or Madrid. Matter of fact the only player from either of those clubs that is anywhere near Ronaldo's level is Messi & that poor kid is wasting his time at Barca. The only way he could be in a worse position is if he played for that loser Capello at Madrid. As usual dr nyc you were wrong again. Ronaldo was never going to go to Madrid or Champions League whipping boys Barcelona. He stayed at United, where he belongs!
Posted by: Stanley | April 17, 2007 11:13 PM
Cristiano is good there is no question about it. I think that in a couple of years he will probably overtake Ronaldinho and be the best player in the world, but I do not know if he will join the ranks of the all time greats like Pele, Zinedine Zidane, Johann Cruyff, Maradona, George Best, Sir Bobby Charlton, and my personal favorite Ronaldinho. Only time will tell whether Cristiano will become an all time great or not. The great thing for Cristiano is he is young, he has time to become better.
Posted by: Aaron | April 18, 2007 10:25 AM
Right now C Ronaldo is better then Zinedine Zidane at least in my opinion and Johann Cruyff please he was really good but not up there with pele and maradona.
Posted by: RcFutbolFreak | April 18, 2007 05:04 PM