Ronaldo Completes 6-Year Deal With Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo will complete his world record £80m move from Manchester United to Real Madrid on 1 July after agreeing a six-year deal.

United, who accepted Real's offer for the 24-year-old winger on 11 June, confirmed on their website that the transfer had been finalised. A statement on Real's website read: "The player will be tied to Real Madrid for the next six seasons. He will be presented on 6 July at the Santiago Bernabeu."
Ronaldo was on holiday in the United States at the time the offer was made by Real, on 10 June. During that time, United stated that the decision came at the Portugal international's request after he "again expressed his desire to leave". (Daily Mail)

Cristiano Ronaldo's £80m Real deal stalls on Manchester United star's contract demands

Cristiano Ronaldo's £80million move from Manchester United to Real Madrid has hit a snag over the Portugal star's image rights.

The Spanish giants want to conclude the transfer before the weekend but his agent Jorge Mendes is still locked in talks over the finer details of his contract, according to reports in Spain. The 24-year-old will be paid a salary of close to £10m a year - about £200,000 a week - but the distribution of cash from commercial deals is still being debated. Madrid had expected to share his image rights 50-50; it is the business model they favour and is understood to have been agreed with Kaka.

Madrid had expected to share his image rights 50-50; it is the business model they favour and is understood to have been agreed with Kaka. But Ronaldo's camp are reluctant to share earnings from deals signed with the likes of Nike and Banco Espirito Santo, even though he would receive a cut in return from the sale of Real Madrid merchandise bearing his name.

Commercial earnings on this basis are inevitably variable but Madrid president Florentino Perez is reported to have moved to assure Ronaldo that he would earn at least another £2.75m a year from the club for his image rights.

The two sides are expected to reach a deal, but Madrid are wary that they cannot give up too much ground if they are to meet their financial estimates that the huge transfer can be profitable. (Daily Mail)

Ferguson expected Ronaldo exit

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he was resigned to seeing Cristiano Ronaldo leave Old Trafford.

The 24-year-old Portuguese winger is poised to complete a record £80m move to Real Madrid, with reports suggesting the deal has long been in place. And Ferguson, who is on holiday in the south of France, told the Mail on Sunday: "He wanted to leave, it is as simple as that.

"He was going to go some time. We've done well to keep him for so long."

Ferguson has persuaded Ronaldo to stay twice before, when Real pursued him in the summers of 2007 and 2008, but appears to have decided he could no longer stand in the way of the player's dream move to the Bernabeu.

According to a statement released by United on Thursday, the Spanish side's bid was accepted after Ronaldo "again expressed his desire to leave". (Daily Mail)

Ronaldo 'Review'

Extract taken from 'Wednesday, May 13, 2009' Mystic Insight' on Ronaldo: "The impression is he is quite comfortable where he is at this moment in time. These desperate faces appear to be upping the fortune relating to a possible contract for Ronaldo ... tempting him seemingly with increased finance/more money/more affluence. He is non-responsive; happy with what he has ... being forced to 'name the price' which would capture him. He knows he could accept any deal from anywhere ... he is loyal to Alex Ferguson & Manchester United for the time being. The only concern here is the speed at which something approaches as epitomised by the Eight Of Wands ... Ronaldo is heading towards a deal or something at this moment ... he is definitely 'cunning' with deals. It would be a total turnaround if he did move to Real Madrid ... but it would be for financial reasons only and not the love of the game. The wrong reason and therefore a disaster ... apparently." (Link to Mystic Insight on Ronaldo here as top one doesn't work!)

Note: numerology of three cards on insight was 8, 9 & 10 = 8 + 10 (9+1) .... 8 x 10 = 80. Sum of deal is 80 Million.

Record Ronaldo bid accepted

Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid. At Cristiano's request - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussion with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player. Matters are expected to be concluded by 30 June. The club will not comment until further notice. (Man Utd Official Site)

I don't know if I'll still be a United player next season, says Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo today plunged his future at Manchester United into fresh doubt by admitting that he 'doesn't know' if he will be at Old Trafford next season.

The Portuguese winger also delivered a withering attack on Sir Alex Ferguson's tactics after his side were outclassed by Barcelona in last night's Champions League Final.

Asked after United’s ­-‑ defeat if he would still be at the club next season, Ronaldo said: 'I don’t know.'

And his reaction sparked fresh doubts that he may again fancy a switch to Real Madrid. The Spanish giants came close to signing Ronaldo in a world-record £75million deal last year before the star opted to stay at Old Trafford. But Real may return with a similar offer this summer as they attempt to lure him to the Bernabeu.

And the winger, who is now set to head for international duty with Portugal, sidestepped the issue when pressed on his plans at the Olympic Stadium.

'My future now is the national squad, so that we can win, so that we can be in a good position in our qualifying group,' he said. 'About clubs, I do not want to talk about that, I want to rest, go on holiday, I am very tired, I have played a lot of games, a lot of pressure. The future, we will see.' (Daily Mail)

'Mystic Insight' on Ronaldo ...

With all the media hype and speculation relating to 'is he or isn't he' moving from Manchester United to Real Madrid ... it is an apt time to 'turn on' the 'channel' to the higher levels and see what might possibly be in store for Ronaldo in the coming months:

Using the Navigators Of The Mystic Sea tarot ... let us see that images are revealed ...

Eight Of Wands (velocity)
Nine Of Swords (desperation)
Ten Of Pentacles (Affluence)

Here it seems that the Nine Of Swords refers to the 'desperation' of faces other than Ronaldo. The impression is he is quite comfortable where he is at this moment in time. These desperate faces appear to be upping the fortune relating to a possible contract for Ronaldo ... tempting him seemingly with increased finance/more money/more affluence. He is non-responsive; happy with what he has ... being forced to 'name the price' which would capture him. It is not a certainty he will leave Manchester United. The feeling of contentment is around him, despite the hopes and ambitions he may have in the long term. He knows he could accept any deal from anywhere ... he is loyal to Alex Ferguson & Manchester United for the time being. The only concern here is the speed at which something approaches as epitomised by the Eight Of Wands ... Ronaldo is heading towards a deal or something at this moment ... he is definitely 'cunning' with deals; someone on his behalf may be putting something out in the press concerning a move to Real Madrid ... but it is for some other reason than moving there. It would be a total turnaround if he did move to Real Madrid ... but it would be for financial reasons only and not the love of the game. The wrong reason and therefore a disaster ... apparently. His future is with Manchester United for couple more seasons at least ... and then it seems he would move elsewhere other than Real Madrid ... with Real Madrid being merely a smokescreen as it appears some other European club will sign Ronaldo in the next three-five years!

Matthew James copyright 13th May 2009

One Step Closer ...

Manchester United moved a step closer to retaining the Premier League title after beating rivals Manchester City. Cristiano Ronaldo's deflected free-kick put United ahead after wrong-footing keeper Shay Given, who got a hand to the ball but could not keep it out. Carlos Tevez struck the City woodwork before powering in a 20-yard strike off the post to extend United's advantage.

United had gone into the game having seen Liverpool draw level with them at the Premier League summit with a win at West Ham on Saturday.Rafael Benitez's side were hoping the pressure would produce a wobble from the Old Trafford side but, instead, United's pace, power and passing was too much for City.

United have a habit of timing their good form for the end of season run in and, even though this was their 62nd match of the season, they showed little sign of letting the league title slip from their grasp. The hosts quickly set about City and Ronaldo teed up Ji-Sung Park, who dragged his angled shot wide of the far post.

United had slipped into their slick passing game and it did not take long for their pressure to be rewarded with a goal after City midfielder Vincent Kompany lost possession. United broke and a back-tracking Stephen Ireland fouled Berbatov to leave Ronaldo to score from the type of 25-yard free-kick he excels at. (BBC Sport)

Well Done ... the boys in 'blue' ..

Manchester United produced a virtuoso display to remain on course to become the first team to successfully defend the Champions League - and destroyed Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's dream of winning his first European trophy.

Arsenal's hopes of wiping out a single-goal deficit from the first leg were all over inside 11 minutes as United struck twice to silence an expectant crowd inside the Emirates. Ji-Sung Park pounced on Kieran Gibbs' slip for a close-range finish after eight minutes, while Cristiano Ronaldo fired a 40-yard free-kick past startled keeper Manuel Almunia three minutes later.

It left Arsenal's plans, plus Wenger's bold promise of a "magnificent" performance from his players, in tatters as they were simply unable to cope with the power, pace and energy produced by Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

Ronaldo's second goal of the game after 61 minutes summed up their display in the space of a few devastating seconds. Arsenal were undone from their own corner by a superb sweeping move that also involved starring roles for Park and Wayne Rooney before Ronaldo completed the formalities with a flourish.

It rubber-stamped United's passage into a final against Chelsea or Barcelona in Rome later this month - and on this evidence they will take some stopping.

The only blot on United's otherwise perfect night came 16 minutes from time when Darren Fletcher was sent off by referee Roberto Rosetti, who ruled he had fouled Cesc Fabregas as he raced in on goal. Robin van Persie's penalty will not cause United as much pain as Fletcher's suspension for the final.

If United's first-leg performance did not bring the margin of victory it deserved, they were full value for this triumph. (BBC Sport)

That Goal!

Ronaldo scores a screamer of a goal against Porto on 15/4/09 in the Champions League Quarter Finals.

All Rights Reserved to UEFA (this video may be removed in the future.)

Further Along The Rainbow ... they go!

Cristiano Ronaldo struck a stunning goal, after 6 minutes, as Manchester United saw off the threat of Porto to seal a Champions League semi-final tie against Arsenal. Ronaldo's thunderous early strike from just shy of 40 yards flew across goal and into the top corner.

Nemanja Vidic missed a great chance from five yards late in the first half and Dimitar Berbatov had a shot saved. Lisandro Lopez might have scored a dramatic late goal for Porto but his shot was weak and Edwin van Sar saved.

It was United's first clean sheet since their FA Cup victory over Fulham on 7 March and it could not have been more timely as United became the first English club to win at Porto in European competition. With Rio Ferdinand restored to the side after a three-game absence there was an increased assuredness to the United backline and in truth Porto failed to create any clear-cut openings until Lisandro's 85th-minute chance.

However, United's failure to score a decisive second goal ensured a nervous final few minutes to the tie as Porto pushed for the equaliser that would have put them through on the away goals rule.

The first 20 minutes of the match must have been close to perfect for United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who was presiding over his 150th Champions League game. (BBC Sport)

Ronaldo insists he's happy at United despite Madrid stepping up their £75m pursuit

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again reaffirmed he is 'at the right club' amid an increasing belief within Real Madrid that they will sign the Portugal winger in the summer.

Neither the Manchester United player nor his manager Sir Alex Ferguson were happy that the issue was raised again ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League tie with FC Porto.

Ferguson wondered aloud 'how many times' more he would have to endure this line of questioning before describing the continued speculation as 'pathetic'. Ronaldo shrugged and said: 'We always have this question.'

The 23-year-old simply repeated the position he has stuck to since reaffirming his commitment to United last summer after a face-to-face meeting with Ferguson appeared to stop the rumblings linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

'I am happy at this club. I think it is the right club,' said Ronaldo.

Sportsmail understands that the Spanish giants are sure they have the foundations of a deal in place with the player and with the English and European champions. Madrid's proposed deal includes a £75m transfer fee - to include a down-payment of more than £50m - and wages in excess of £200,000-a-week for Ronaldo. They believe this is now acceptable to United and to the player. (Source: Daily Mail)

No Stopping The Red Devil Bandwagon ....

Sir Alex Ferguson emerged victorious in the showdown with his old rival Jose Mourinho as Manchester United survived a nervous night against Inter Milan to reach the last eight of the Champions League.

Nemanja Vidic powered in Ryan Giggs' corner to give United the lead in the tie after only four minutes, and Cristiano Ronaldo rose to head home Wayne Rooney's cross three minutes after the interval. But in between those two strikes, Mourinho's Inter were left to regret a succession of missed opportunities to grab a crucial away goal and put the skids under United's bid for an historic haul of five trophies.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit the bar with a first-half header and Dejan Stankovic missed a glorious opportunity as Inter failed to take advantage of uncharacteristic slackness in possession and defence from United. (Source: BBC Sport)

Two Down ... three to go

Manchester United completed phase two of their bid to secure an historic haul of five major trophies in a season as they beat Spurs on penalties in the Carling Cup final.

United, with the Club World Cup already won, emerged victorious from another shoot-out after an encounter low on quality finished goalless after extra-time.

Goalkeeper Ben Foster, given a Wembley opportunity as manager Sir Alex Ferguson rested Edwin van der Sar, was United's hero with a stunning save from Aaron Lennon in normal time.

Foster distinguished himself with a superb save from Jamie O'Hara's spot-kick, and when substitute David Bentley missed, Spurs' fate was sealed as Anderson confirmed United's victory.

Cristiano Ronaldo struck an upright seconds from the end of normal time as both defences dominated a final in which clear-cut opportunities were at a premium.

Ryan Giggs, Carlos Tevez, Ronaldo and Anderson were successful for United from the spot in the shoot-out, but only Vedran Corluka scored for Spurs.

All Still To Play For ... in 2 weeks time

Manchester United dominated for much of this lively Champions League last-16 clash but had to settle for a goalless draw with Inter Milan at the San Siro.

A Cristiano Ronaldo bullet header was well saved after four minutes and Ryan Giggs then missed when clean through.

Inter were much-improved in the second half as Zlatan Ibrahimovic burst to life, and after dummying for Adriano the Brazilian shot tamely wide.

A new-look United defence stood strong as Inter pushed for a late winner.

Old adversaries Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho started the week by trading friendly jibes, with the United boss disputing claims his side would play defensively, emphasising the importance of away goals. (BBC Sport)

Eight Points Clear ... a Ronaldo Cracker ... and a conceded goal

Manchester United moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League after a hard-fought 2 v 1 win over Blackburn.

Wayne Rooney lashed in a shot to put United ahead before a precise Roque Santa Cruz finish levelled matters. Jonny Evans' header was controversially disallowed for the home side before Ryan Nelsen hit the post for Rovers.

Cristiano Ronaldo powered in a superb free-kick for United's winner, and Morten Gamst Pedersen was denied a penalty late on for the visitors.

The Norwegian winger looked to have been pulled back by Rafael Da Silva when he was clean through on goal and the decision not to award a spot-kick provoked a furious response from Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce. But given Rovers are third from bottom and two points away from safety, Allardyce's side can be encouraged by their display, troubling a United side that has been sweeping aside all before them in recent weeks.

Blackburn also have the honour of becoming the first side to score against United since 8 November, 2008 when Sir Alex Ferguson's side were beaten by Arsenal. With United playing Inter Milan on Tuesday, Edwin van der Sar and centre back Nemanja Vidic were left on the bench with Tomasz Kuszczak and Evans left to fill the key roles, a policy that almost backfired on the Scot as Blackburn threatened to steal a point. (BBC Sport)

Through To The Quarters ...

Derby Country 1 v 4 Man Utd

Manchester United strolled into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a comfortable victory over Derby.

Darren Fletcher and Ji-Sung Park had early efforts saved before Nani rifled a right-foot shot in from 20 yards. Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal belatedly ruled out after a consultation between the match officials before Darron Gibson volleyed home from 18 yards. Ronaldo nodded in a third before Miles Addison headed in for Derby but Danny Wellbeck's late curler secured the win.

United dominated from the kick-off and Gibson, one of seven changes to the side that beat West Ham last time out, demonstrated their intent in the opening minute with a powerful forward run, but his rising drive cleared the bar. (BBC Sport)

Another Win, Another Clean Sheet ...

Manchester United turned up the pressure on the Premier League's chasing pack and re-wrote the record books with victory over Everton at Old Trafford.

Cristiano Ronaldo's 44th-minute penalty - awarded after Mikel Arteta fouled Michael Carrick - put them five points ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea before they meet at Anfield on Sunday.

And in recording a 12th successive top-flight clean sheet, goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar eclipsed the previous league record of 1,104 minutes without conceding a goal, set by Reading's Steve Death in 1979.

United deserved their victory and could have won by more, but they were made to work for the win by an Everton side displaying all their trademark defensive resilience. (BBC Sport)

Two Points Behind with One Game In Hand

Manchester United closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to two points - with a game in hand - as they struggled to victory against Wigan.

Wayne Rooney slid in Cristiano Ronaldo's cross in the first minute, but limped off with a hamstring injury five minutes later. Substitute Carlos Tevez then missed United's best chance after rounding Latics keeper Chris Kirkland.

Wigan had plenty of possession but could not carve out any clear chances.

United were not at their most impressive, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson will simply be delighted to have built on the 3-0 win against title rivals Chelsea with another vital three points to move into second place in then table. And United's defence stretched their impressive recent record to nine league games without conceding a goal.(Source: BBC Sport)

Ronaldo Crowned Best In The World

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been crowned FIFA World Player of the Year.The 23-year-old midfielder received 935 votes in a worldwide poll of national team captains and coaches.

The results were announced by the man widely thought to be the best player in history, Brazilian striker Pele, at a ceremony in Zurich.

The award completes a clean sweep of football's top individual honours for 2008 for the Portuguese international. Ronaldo previously won the Ballon D'Or as European player of the year and World Soccer magazine's player of the year award.

"It is an overwhelming moment, a very special moment in my life," he said.
"I would like to say to my mother and sister that the fireworks can be fired off now."

He scored 42 goals last season, firing United to the Premier League and Champions League titles in May. His spectacular pace, allied to his ability to perform tricks with the ball at lightning speed, would alone make him an outstanding player. (Source: Sky News)