Ronaldo Credits Father Figure Ferguson For Preparing Him For His Boyhood Dream:

"It's obvious that I'm a less egotistical footballer now,'' he told Spanish sports daily AS.

"Without a doubt. I know for sure that four years ago I always played to try to end up scoring myself."But experience makes you understand that you achieve better things playing as a team and being united. At Madrid they will see a better Cristiano.''

"Ferguson is a maestro,'' added Ronaldo. "For me he was my father in football. He was crucial in my career and, outside football, was a great human being with me. Talent isn't everything. You can have it from the cradle, but it is necessary to learn the trade to be the best.

"When I arrived in England I was an 18-year-old kid and had established stars by my side. Ferguson taught me to clean up my faults, to know to give the pass at the last moment, to take the right decision in the area.

"I spent six years at United and I owe them everything that I am today. I made history at United and won many trophies. It was a pleasure to play at Old Trafford but now a new stage in my life is beginning at the Bernabeu with new challenges.

"I wanted to play at this club and for that reason I'm here.''"I'm used to living with speculation,'' he said.

"I could have signed for Madrid in 2008, but there wasn't an agreement between the clubs and I owed myself to United. I wanted to respect that and I did. I took the best decision.''

"Since I've been able to think I've known what this club means. In Madeira they talked about Madrid as the most famous club with the best history in the world, with great international stars.

"The kids in Portugal at my time, we were all for Madrid. For that reason it is a privilege to be here. That kid's dream has been achieved.

"What happened on Monday in the Bernabeu was incredible. I couldn't have imagined what I was experiencing. It was impressive, incredible. I get goosebumps just by remembering it. I wasn't expecting something like it.'' (Source)

Robinho on sons and footballs

For a guy who makes strange career decisions, Robinho sure does seem to have a lot of footie wisdom. Must be the Brazilian in him:

'It's true I didn't have the opportunity to watch Ronaldo's goals against Arsenal on television. I was playing football with Robson Junior. Robson likes to play football and I love to see my family happy. So I played with him. My son is only 18 months but already he likes to try and kick the football. We will have to wait and see if the ball likes him as well, but we had fun while the United game was on!' (Source)

Robinho kind of twists this kernel of wisdom around to make us think about it: Of course it's not about the ball liking you but about you making the ball seem to like you. In other words, the ball will be your friend and help you and perhaps even obey you, if you have a desirable approach to the ball and the game.

The question is how do you become a desirable footballer? What do you need to have in you to be accepted by the ball, the coaches, the fans and the beautiful game?

(See also: bestplayerintheworld.com)

Pepe has no Desire to Return to Football

After his violent attack on Getafe opponent Javier Casquero, Real Madrid centreback Pepe says:

“These are the worst days of my life. I do not have any desire to return to playing football...I have seen the replays of the incident, but I do not recognize myself. I lost my cool and I went crazy, but that is not me...The worst punishment is going through what I’m experiencing now. If I see that there’s no chance of me returning to football again, then I will try something else.” (Source)

Adriano Losses the Joy

"Striker Adriano has left Inter Milan for his native Brazil before season's end, claiming that he has lost the joy of playing football:

"I have stopped my career for a while because I have lost the joy of playing," he said. "It could be one, two or three months. There is big pressure in Italy. I don't want to return to Italy. I want to live in peace here in Brazil."

Adriano said he will use the time to consider his future, dropping a strong hint that he does not see himself returning to Milan.

"I was not satisfied," he said. "Everybody has the right to be happy in his job and I was unhappy in Italy. I will re-think my career. I am happy in Brazil alongside my friends and my family."

The former Sao Paulo forward insisted he was healthy. "I am not ill," he said. "Adriano is not dead. I am not going to any hospital. I will try to restart, try to rediscover the joy of playing. The situation has arisen because I was not happy."

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The Joy of Football: Scoring The Winning Goal On Your Debut For Manchester United At Old Trafford When You Are Just Seventeen Years Old

Federico Macheda:



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