Ronaldo Speak What they said

Some opinions on Cristiano Ronaldo

“He has magic in his boots!”

– Eusebio’s reference for his compatriot when United signed him in 2003.

“He hasn’t a football brain in his head.”

– And the love-in with Eamon Dunphy began the following year.

“There have been a few players described as the new George Best over the years, but this is the first time it’s been a compliment to me.”

– The Belfast Boy himself, speaking in 2004.

“He’s is a puffball who’s never done it on the big occasion.”

– Jamie Redknapp. Kidding: Dunphy again.

“He’s the classic modern brat, he’s a brat of a person, no character, no resilience, he’s flash, he’ll always do it against the little teams”.

– Yes, Dunphy.

“Ronaldo has broken the mould for wide players. I played there and I used to think one in six was a good record of scoring, but I look at his record - it’s one in one.”

– Another former United winger, Steve Coppell.

“Ronaldo’s a waste of space. He’s a cheat, and a renowned cheat now . . . what he does is the equivalent of Tiger Woods picking the ball up in the rough and putting it on the fairway.”

– Yep, Dunphy.

“If he was good looking he’d probably have everything.”

– Then Wigan manager Paul Jewell.

“This fella Ronaldo is a cod!”

– Guess?

“The one thing Cristiano Ronaldo has is pace, quick feet and a great eye for goal.”

– Chris Waddle loses count.

“I couldn’t have been more wrong about Cristiano Ronaldo. In the history of the game . . . increasingly, he looks like the real deal. Ronaldo is something special. I was wrong . . . he is on the road to greatness, but he still has a bit to travel.”

– Dunphy – seriously – in January of last year.

“Cristiano Ronaldo will not only become the biggest sporting attraction in England but also in Europe and the rest of the world. He will be a world star in football like Michael Jordan was in basketball. They have both been blessed with a genius that has never been seen before.”

– Former United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz, a bit watery with his praise.

“Real Madrid are my favourite team, they are the best club in the world . . . I would not like to die without seeing my son playing there, then I could go knowing that my dream was fulfilled. If he goes to Madrid then I will go over to live with him. It is a city that I love.”

– Dolores Aveiro, Ronaldo’s mother, last year. She is, we assume, packing her bags as we speak. Poor lad.

“Cristiano Ronaldo will never be Spanish! They already did the same with Christopher Columbus, and it now seems they want to naturalise Cristiano Ronaldo!”

– Queiroz again, all set for the battle of Iberia.

“Madrid have no moral issues at all. They think they can ride roughshod over everyone but they won’t do it with us. Yes, we sold them Ruud van Nistelrooy and David Beckham, but only because we wanted to.”

– Alex Ferguson, absolooly ruling out selling Ronaldo to Madrid last year.

“Do you think I’d get in to a contract with that mob? Absolutely no chance. Jesus Christ, I wouldn’t sell them a virus. That’s a no.”

– Ferguson again, last December, somewhat dampening renewed speculation that Ronaldo was Madrid bound.

“Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80 million 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.”

– Confirmation yesterday that United had got in to a contract with that mob.

Ronaldo on Ronaldo

“I don’t know why. Maybe some people don’t like me. Maybe I’m too good.”

– On his critics.

“I’m not a big spender. I have one car, a Bentley GT convertible, and I like designer clothes, but I do not have wardrobes-full. I have a good watch, a diamond bracelet and some rings but a lot of my money is invested for the future, in property.”

– On his frugal lifestyle.

“It would be hypocritical of me to say I think I’m ugly. I feel good about myself and that’s the most important thing.”

– On looking in the mirror.

“I am the first, second and third best player in the world. But there are other good candidates, like Kaka, Messi and Torres.”

– On his rivals (and he uses the word loosely).

“It can be very exciting because you can be there waiting for a long time for just the one number to make the game complete.”

– On bingo.

“I look at the ball, I look at the net and I say to myself ‘take the kick, Ronaldo’, then I shoot.”

– On taking free-kicks.

“I deserve it.”

– On his Player of the Season award last year.

“For me, it is what is inside a beautiful woman that is important. Although she must also be beautiful, like Angelina Jolie.”

– On the dating game.

“I’ve responded to this question many times. I am happy at the club. I want to stay here. I feel at home here. I feel very happy here.”

– On Manchester United, last April.