Ronaldo - Goodbye and thank you for the memories
In the last few days, hundreds of column inches have been dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo’s imminent record breaking transfer to Real Madrid; articles about the rights and wrongs of the transfer, the second coming of the “Galacticos” era, who United will buy to replace the irreplacable. What I have really taken an interest in though is the reaction of the Manchester United fans.
Most United fans have been saying that the team can cope without him, that in the last few months the tactics of the team have detrimentally been skewed to accommodate his talent (the Champions League final being case in point) and that Sir Alex Ferguson can build yet another great team but this time based around the mercurial Wayne Rooney. I would agree with all those sentiments and feel that they need to be aired. However, what has largely been missing is the expression of thanks to Ronaldo for his six brilliant years of service to United.
Ironically, Ronaldo arrived in the wake of the transfer of another Old Trafford superstar, David Beckham, to Real Madrid. I will never forget his debut against Bolton where he electrified a pensive crowd with a dazzling substitute appearance, all step overs, tricks and electric pace. It was clear that a superstar had arrived, and a humble, brace wearing one at that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jv8cA9mQt4
Over the years his petulance and tantrums may have come to the fore, but so too have his extraordinary skills and (like my fellow EFT contributor has pointed out in another article on this site) his undoubted bravery. Put simply, Ronaldo has been the most effective player in club football for the past three years.
My favourite Ronaldo moment was his last minute winning goal against Fulham at Craven Cottage in the 06/07 season. He ran the length of the field with the ball seemingly glued to his boots to score a sensational and crucial goal in a game United should not have won. In many such matches, Ronaldo has pulled United through.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krxm0s-rYjo
Whatever anyone says, Ronaldo will be missed by United and by English football. He bought flair and skill, the like of which we may not see on these shores for a long time to come. Ronaldo may owe a lot to United for developing him into the player he is today, but the club owe him an even bigger debt for the trophies he has helped them win. So I hope United fans will join me in thanking Ronaldo for his great service to the club and wish him luck in La Liga.
Sorte e adeus!
posted by Abdul at 6/13/2009 10:42:00 am
EFT match of the season for 2008/2009: Barcelona construct a masterclass footballing performance to defeat the reigning Champions League holders and current English champions, Manchester United, by a scoreline of 2-0 in the 2009 Champions League final in Rome
EFT player of the season for 2008/2009: Chelsea central midfielder, Frank Lampard
EFT player of the month for May 2009: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for April 2009: Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for March 2009: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for February 2009: Phil Jagielka (Everton)
EFT player of the month for January 2009: Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd)
EFT player of the month for December 2008: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for November 2008: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for October 2008: Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for September 2008: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for August 2008: Amr Zaki (Wigan Athletic)
EFT match of Euro 2008: Turkey's amazing comeback from two goals down to beat Czech Republic 3-2 as captain Nihat Kahveci's two goals in the last three minutes sensationally put his country through to the quarter finals at the expense of their beaten opponents
EFT player of Euro 2008: Spain (anchor) central midfielder, Marcos Senna
EFT match of the season for 2007/2008: Liverpool win titanic Champions League quarter-final second leg 4-2 against Arsenal that also saw two of the best football moments of the season - Fernando Torres' top corner strike and Theo Walcott's thrilling run across the whole of Anfield.
EFT player of the season for 2007/2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for May 2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for April 2008: Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
EFT player of the month for March 2008: Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for February 2008: David James (Portsmouth)
EFT player of the month for January 2008: Ronaldo (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for December 2007: Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn Rovers)
EFT player of the month for November 2007: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for October 2007: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for September 2007: Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for August 2007: Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for May 2007: Carlos Tevez (West Ham Utd)
EFT player of the month for April 2007: Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd)
EFT player of the month for March 2007: Carlos Tevez (West Ham Utd)
EFT player of the month for February 2007: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester Utd)
EFT player of the month for January 2007: Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for December 2006: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester Utd)
EFT player of the month for November 2006: Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for October 2006: Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton Wanderers)
EFT player of the month for September 2006: Andrew Johnson (Everton)
EFT player of the month for August 2006: Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth)
EFT match of World Cup 2006: Italy win a thrilling 'end-to-end' World Cup semi-final 2-0 against Germany courtesy of two late extra time goals from Fabio Grosso and Alessandro del Piero 
EFT player of World Cup 2006: Italy captain and centre-back, Fabio Cannavaro
EFT match of the season for 2005-2006: Liverpool win the FA Cup final 3-1 on penalties against West Ham after a Steven Gerrard-led fighback saw the Anfield side recover from 2-0 and 3-2 down to level the match in normal time
EFT player of the month for May 2006: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for April 2006: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for March 2006: Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)
EFT player of the month for February 2006: Aiyegbeni Yakubu (Middlesbrough)
EFT player of the month for January 2006: Jason Roberts (Wigan Athletic)
EFT player of the month for December 2005: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for November 2005: Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for October 2005: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for September 2005: Danny Murphy (Charlton Athletic)
EFT player of the month for August 2005: Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd)
EFT match of the season for 2004-2005: Liverpool win Champions League final 3-2 on penalties against AC Milan after sensationally recovering from 3-0 down to level the match in normal time
6 Comments:
Ok, out of courtesy, I thank him, bit it is far from heart felt thanks, as he has never been a true United player.
6/13/2009 1:35 pm
What a player, can command the quality that finishes other teams, his free-kicks, his shots, his heading, his assists, he dazzled others in his wake. Bit of a show pony on the other hand, dives blatantly and cheats. Will we miss him? Probably not, get other players to join in and give something into the game now instead of watching Ronaldo. Games wont hinge on his abilities, rather on the team's abilities. No secret he was missing at the scouse why Utd couldnt win a kewpie doll, even with Tevez, Berba-huff and Rooney playing. In fact utd were rubbish at the start until Ronaldo came back. Liverpool are a two-man team but when Utd play, Ronaldo and Rooney are the same as. If Ronaldo aint playing, Rooney struggles and it will happen this season. Chelsea aint going to make it because they dont look at the squad, just ££££ players. Arsenal could do it actually, with Arshavin, Van Persie, Adebayor, Fabregas, Bendtner is going, and if Walcott can actually think before he goes like Blly Whizz. When he does he gives quality assists, when he doesnt he goes up blind alleys and gets shut off. I'm a Gooner so I'm biased but I think we will go for it and the scouse. Something tells me now they are goign to go for blood, Torres, Gerrard, Kuyt, Babel may be off or getlast chance, Riera, and that Benayoun looking strong. When Barcelona want three of your players, you're looking strong mate. They keep going for Fab4 and it's like 'no!'. so cya CR, would like to be ya as you shagged Ms Hilton, dont come back.
6/13/2009 2:51 pm
Hi Guys.
I am worried for the boy! I see CR over Madrid & Maradona races into my head with his stay at the city of Barcelona were he "met the devil himself" that lead to vice.
Madrid is full of temptations, dangerous temptations...not to mention the enormous pressure that fans, media, Clu & the World will place upon CR shoulders.
We know that the kid thinks more with his dick than with his head & he likes the occasional party spend be it in champagne or women. Lets hope Uncle Florentino Perez looks after the boy well. We wish to see here the player explode even further & give us more pure magic.
We do not want to see an Inter Milan Adriano ( or Maradona) type situation arise here. I ( we all) are keeping our fingers crossed
Cheers guys
6/13/2009 3:44 pm
Ronnie won't fall into that trap - He is too dedicated to being the best.
And yes Ronaldo has been great for Man Utd and we have made a shed load of cash from the deal. Thanks for your contribution to the cause Ronnie. Thanks and good luck. As long as we keep winning the league on a regular basis I don't mind if he wins Spanish league with Real. It's his dream. I hope he only ever has one Champions League medal though and that will have Man Utds. name on it.
6/13/2009 8:27 pm
Good stuff Abdul!
Interesting angle Striker. My perception of Ronaldo is that he won't let temptations affect his football - and I hope this turns out to be true... you never want to see someone take bad directions.
T
6/14/2009 10:42 pm
Thanks for all the comments. Striker, I would agree with T and the anon above. Much like Beckham, Ronaldo doesn't appear to jeopardise his professionalism in spite of his champagne lifestyle. He wants to be the very best footballer on the planet and doesnt let anything affect that side of him at all. I'd be surprised if that changed at Real.
6/16/2009 10:37 am
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