Tag: cristiano ronaldo

  • Ronaldo rejects new deal serves quit notice

    Ronaldo rejects new deal serves quit notice

     

    An ‘angry’ Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly rejected a new contract at Real Madrid and demanded a transfer away from the Spanish giants at the end of the season.

    Ronaldo, who has previously made it clear he didn’t want to extend his current deal which runs out in 2021, was believed to have wanted to quit the club last summer.

    The Portuguese superstar opted to remain at the Bernabeu but reports in Spain on Tuesday have now suggested he doesn’t want to play for the club beyond this term.

    Spanish journalist Edu Aguirre, who works for TV station El Chiringuito, claimed Ronaldo has told Real Madrid president Florentino Perez of his decision.

    Aguirre adds that the 32-year-old former Manchester United star wants to leave middle of next year for a reasonable price

    However, Real Madrid are understood to have rejected his demand — which has further angered the wantaway star.

    It is believed Ronaldo doesn’t feel appreciated at Real, and the offer on the table is one more sign of how little Real Madrid values him.

    Aguirre insists Ronaldo is a ‘Madridista’, and loves the fans, but has his heart set on a move away after falling out with the club’s hierarchy.

    When asked this season if he was expecting to sign a new deal with Madrid, Ronaldo told beIN Sports: ‘I don’t want to renew.

    The Real Madrid forward has had a difficult start to the season, managing just one La Liga goal all season.

    Among clubs that have reportedly shown interest in having Ronaldo in their fold include former club Manchester United, French ligue 1 side PSG.  Others include Italian side Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan

  • Ronaldo deserves FIFA Best award – Zidane

    Ronaldo deserves FIFA Best award – Zidane

     

    Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said that Cristiano Ronaldo deserved to retain The Best FIFA men’s player award on Monday evening in London, speaking after another personally frustrating domestic showing for the Portuguese in Sunday evening’s 3-0 La Liga victory at home to Eibar at the Bernabeu.

    Madrid eased to victory over an out of form Eibar, helped on their way by Paulo Oliveira’s 18th-minute own goal, which was soon followed by a clever Marco Asensio finish past unsighted goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic.

    The second half was lower-key until late on when substitute Marcelo rounded off the scoring with a sweet low strike to finish off a superb one-touch move also involving Karim Benzema and Theo Hernandez.

    Twenty-four hours before he is likely to beat Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar to another individual award, Ronaldo was again not at his sharpest and missed a second-half one-on-one with Dmitrovic. But Zidane suggested in his postmatch news conference that the 32-year-old’s decisive contribution to last season’s La Liga and Champions League double was all important.

    “Ronaldo is the best player of his generation, by a long way,” Zidane said. “He has shown that many times, he makes the difference in the big games.  All his prizes are deserved. He always shows he wants to be the best, and he is.”

    Ronaldo is still on just one La Liga goal in 2017-18, from 33 shots, however Zidane said such statistical anomalies were not a concern.

    “When Cristiano does not score I get asked always the same thing,” he said. “We are not worried, although it is better when he scores. It is important for him, but the most important is that he is getting chances. This lasts a long time. He is top scorer in the Champions League, and has a chance to score again next week in La Liga.”

    Zidane himself is also shortlisted for The Best FIFA’s men’s coach award, alongside Juventus’ Massimiliano Allegri and Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas is also favoured for recognition in the goalkeeper category, where the other nominees are Juve’s Gianluigi Buffon and Bayern Munich shot-stopper Manuel Neuer.

  • Ronaldo jnr thrills dad with screamer

    Ronaldo jnr thrills dad with screamer

     

    When Cristiano Ronaldo eventually calls time on a career drowned in trophies, he will be sorely missed by football supporters. But it may not be the end of the Ronaldo legacy.

    The Portuguese striker has held up his end of the bargain as he has continued to terrify defenders with the Ronaldo name – following on from Brazil legend – and now it seems his son is the next to continue the tradition.

    Aptly-named Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, who put on a show for the watching crowd in Cardiff after Real’s Champions League triumph in May, has shown but a glimpse of what the footballing world should expect in the coming years after the youngster scored a thunderbolt in a youth game this week.

    The seven-year-old showed he has inherited his father’s eye for goal as he fired a strike into the top-right corner of a sandy pitch.

    Ronaldo, who was enjoying some time off ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga clash with Eibar on Sunday at the Bernabeu, posted the video on his Instagram account accompanied by a well-selected emoji.

    It was a goal that has been well-received by his followers, with one Ronaldo fan, ‘nelson_percius’, commenting: ‘I saw Cristiano, my kids will see Cristiano Jr’.

    It’s not the first time an insight into Ronaldo Jr’s talents has been given after former Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand paid the Ronaldo’s a visit in October, as well as a free kick fired in in typical Ronaldo fashion on the sandy pitches of Madrid back in May.

    But the youngster will have to go a long way to replicate the achievements of his father, who has recently been nominated for yet another FIFA Ballon d’Or.

    The Portuguese striker has been in hot form this season as he continues his rivalry with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, which he has struggled to compete with so far this season.

    Ronaldo has managed just one goal in his four La Liga appearances – compared to Messi’s 11 – but his penalty against Tottenham on Tuesday night took his tally up to five for the competition.

    After being held to a draw by Spurs, Real are now second in group H and level on points with Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

  • Ronaldo is richest sports personality in Europe

    Ronaldo is richest sports personality in Europe

     

    Cristiano Ronaldo is the richest sports personality in Europe, according to the latest Forbes’ Rich List.

    The Real Madrid striker has earned an incredible £70million in the last year, along with picking up another Champions League medal and becoming the inaugural winner of The Best FIFA Men’s Player award.

    In fact, such is the Portuguese star’s wealth, he is only £1m short of being the most wealthy celebrity on the continent, with Harry Potter author JK Rowling earning £71m in that same period.

    Ronaldo is joined by just one Englishman on the list, with Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton sat in 11th place having earned £32m.

    And despite the money flowing through the Premier League, there is just one representative from England’s top flight, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic sneaking into the top 20 thanks to his earnings of £24m.

    Elsewhere on the list, Roger Federer comes in at No 5 having taken £48m in the last 12 months, while Sebastian Vettel is 14th on the list.

    There is further British representation from Rory McIlroy, who is ninth with earnings of £37m, and Conor McGregor is equal 18th with Wales international Gareth Bale.

    The figures are calculated before taxes and fees are taken into account, with Forbes estimating the total worth.

    The five highest-paid athletes, Ronaldo, LeBron James, Lionel Messi, Roger Federer and Kevin Durant all generate more than $25 million annually from sponsors. Here are the top 12 mega buck earners;

    Rank, Name, Earnings (Sport, Country)

    1. Cristiano Ronaldo, $93 million (Soccer, Portugal)
    2. LeBron James, $86.2 million (Basketball, U.S.)
    3. Lionel Messi, $80 million (Soccer, Argentina)
    4. Roger Federer, $64 million (Tennis, Switzerland)
    5. Kevin Durant, $60.6 million (Basketball, U.S.)
    6. Andrew Luck, $50 million (Football, U.S.)
    7. Rory McIlroy, $50 million (Golf, U.K.)
    8. Stephen Curry, $47.3 million (Basketball, U.S.)
    9. James Harden, $46.6 million (Basketball, U.S.)
    10. Lewis Hamilton, $46 million (Racing, U.K.)
    11. Drew Brees, $45.3 million (Football, U.S.)
    12. Phil Mickelson, $43.5 million (Golf, U.S.)
  • Photos: Gov. Wike meets Ronaldo, Ramos

    Photos: Gov. Wike meets Ronaldo, Ramos

    Governor Wike Nyesom of Rivers state, met the Real Madrid stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos on Monday. The governor met with them in Spain, over the establishment of an academy in the state.

    See photos below:

     

    Real Madrid Captain , Sergio Ramos meet with Wike and Rivers State Commissioner for Sport Mr Boma Iyaye

    Read Also: Champions League: Real Madrid vs Tottenham Possible Line-up

    Sergio Ramos, Governor Wike

    Real Madrid star, Cristiano Ronaldo: Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike and Chief Adokiye Ameiesimaka
  • Ronaldo, Ramos Meet Gov Wike at Real Madrid Football Club

    Ronaldo, Ramos Meet Gov Wike at Real Madrid Football Club

    Governor Nyesom Wike on Monday toured Real Madrid Football Club training facility. The River state Governor was reportedly schedule to meet President of Real Madrid Florentino Pérez on Tuesday to formalise Rivers State Government and the Spanish club agreement on the establishment of a football academy in the state.

    According to pictures and reports circulated on the social media on Monday, the Governor met with Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid captain, Sergio Ramos and officials of the La liga club as he toured the training facilities of Real Madrid Football Club.

    Wike was accompanied by the State Commissioner of Sports, Boma Iyaye, former Nigerian international, Adokiye Amiesimaka and Vice President of Interact Sports, Mr. Kazma. The officials of Real Madrid club guided the Governor on the tour of the Real Madrid Training Facility.

    In a chat with the Real Madrid stars, Ronaldo and Ramos, Wike said that the objective of setting up the Real Madrid Academy in Rivers State is to develop stars that would rule the world in the nearest future.

    “We are using football as one of the key empowerment programs for the next generation. We want to grow international football stars from a tender age.

    “We will tap from the experience and exposure of Real Madrid and their stars. This is a project that will revolutionise football in Rivers State and Nigeria,” Mr. Wike noted.

    He assured that the academy to be established in the state will be of international standard and will take into consideration the education of the children.

    Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos lauded Mr. Wike for his commitment to the development of the game of football.

  • Fake Cristiano Ronaldo invades pitch

    Fake Cristiano Ronaldo invades pitch

     

    As if Real Madrid’s squad wasn’t overstocked with world-class talent to begin with, they actually found themselves with two Cristiano Ronaldos on the pitch at one point during Saturday’s La Liga clash with Getafe.

    Indeed, a pitch invader came running onto the pitch at the Alfonso Perez and made a beeline for Ronaldo before eventually being rounded up by security and escorted back from where he came.

    It turns out the opportunistic fan simply wanted to have a quick chat with his idol, while dressed exactly like him.

    Well, they do say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery after all.

    Zinedine Zidane was made to sweat on his landmark 100th outing as Real Madrid manager courtesy of a late 2-1 win against Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

    Los Blancos’ seven-match winning run against their city rivals looked to be coming to an end after Jorge Molina cancelled out Karim Benzema’s first-half opener.

    Cristiano Ronaldo popped up to rescue his side late on with his first league goal of the season, though, netting shortly after missing a sitter to lift his side up to second place in the La Liga table on a landmark occasion for Zidane.

    The hosts struggled to really get going for large parts of the first half, seeing a couple of Ronaldo shots routinely kept out by Vicente Guaita in the Getafe goal.

    Faycal Fajr had the Dark Blues’ only on-target attempt of the half, forcing a simple save out of back-up stopper Kiko Casilla – filling in for the injured Keylor Navas – while Molina headed over from a good position.

    Madrid hold claim to having the best away record in the Spanish top flight this term and it was not long before they finally clicked into gear, with Benzema being thwarted with a near-post shot and Lucas Vazquez having a volley blocked aside.

    The breakthrough moment then arrived 39 minutes in when Benzema intercepted the ball and charged through, knocking it past sliding defender Juan Cala and smartly tucking beyond the reach of Guaita.

    Benzema, himself without a league goal in three outings this term, also skied a shot over the bar as Los Blancos went into the break sitting a goal to the good.

    The second half panned out in a similar manner, as Zidane’s men bossed possession but struggled to do a great deal with it and were almost made to pay.

    Shortly after Guaita pulled off a double save to deny Ronaldo and a half-fit Marcelo, Molina picked out the net at the other end of the field when reacting quickest to get the faintest of touches to a right-sided cross.

    Marcos Llorente got a touch to help the ball into the centre-forward’s path, making it five goals in eight outings for him against the defending champions.

    Ronaldo, with 20 previous career goals against Getafe, got on the end of Isco’s cross and rifled superbly past Guaita on this occasion to save his side with five minutes left to play.

  • Ronaldo sells Ballon d’Or trophy for Charity

    Ronaldo sells Ballon d’Or trophy for Charity

     

    Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t recognised for his generosity on the pitch but the Real Madrid star makes up for it in his charity work after selling off a prized Ballon d’Or trophy to raise £600,000.

    The Real Madrid star donated a replica of his 2013 award to a London auction at the Dorchester Hotel last weekend.

    The funds will go towards the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a charity that grants wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses and those who are terminally ill.

    The event raised £2.7m for the Foundation – nearly doubling the original fundraising target of £1.5m.

    Ronaldo is a long-term supporter of Make-A-Wish, donating funds and granting wishes to seriously ill children across the world, and specifically asked for the replica of his 2013 award to be donated to auction raising funds for the UK charity.

    The Ballon d’Or trophy is recognised as one of the highest personal accolades a player can receive in the game. Under a FIFA banner between 2010 and 2015 it was also the official world player of the year award.

    Ronaldo’s 2013 triumph came following a four-year winning streak by on-pitch rival rival Lionel Messi.

    The Portugal international has won the award four times in all, having also collected the accolade in 2008, 2014 and 2016.

    Ronaldo has been gearing up with Portugal ahead of two crucial World Cup qualifiers, where his side take on Andorra on Saturday before facing Group B leaders Switzerland in their final game next week.

    The European champions need two wins to be certain of finishing top of their group and secure a spot in Russia next summer.

  • Leagues on hold as players head for WC qualifiers

    Leagues on hold as players head for WC qualifiers

     

    The Leagues will be at rest this weekend as players bid their clubs temporary good bye to answer to national calls in search for qualifications for the 2018 World cup in Russia.

    By Sunday, some countries would have sealed their qualification while some others would either be making slim chances of qualification and others counting their loses.

    Thus, it is not about the clubs this weekend it is about the National teams.

    Nigeria’s John Obi Mikel leads the Super Eagles against visiting Chipolopolo of Zambia in Uyo.

    Cristiano Ronaldo will be hoping to lead Portugal to the 2018 World Cup in Russia — and the Real Madrid talisman appeared in relaxed mood during training on Tuesday.

    Even after seven straight wins — and an expected eighth at Andorra on Saturday, European champions Portugal are not guaranteed to be at the World Cup.

    Ronaldo and Co go into the weekend fixture three points behind Group B leaders Switzerland, who they face in a mouthwatering fixture next week.

    And the former Manchester United superstar was among the players pictured in training at their base near Lisbon before they travel to Andorra for their clash.

    Off to Spain, Gerard Pique put the hostility of Monday’s open training session with Spain behind him as Julen Lopetegui’s men continued their preparations on Tuesday.

    The Barcelona defender was jeered and taunted by fans at Las Rozas complex in Madrid for being a vocal supporter of Catalonia’s referendum on independence.

    Pique was subjected to chants of ‘Pique carbon, Espana es tu nacion’, which translates as ‘Pique b*****d Spain is your nation’, by some of the 1,500-strong crowd.

    But during Tuesday’s behind-closed-doors session, the former Manchester United man looked relaxed and happy as he trained alongside the rest of the squad.

    Pique was pictured smiling and laughing as Spain gear-up for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Albania. A win will all but ensure they reach Russia next year.

    In Spain’s recent qualifier against Italy at the Santiago Bernabeu, Pique was applauded and whistled in equal measure but that was not the case on Monday.

  • I can’t do without trophy-Ronaldo

    I can’t do without trophy-Ronaldo

     

    Cristiano Ronaldo says he is left feeling “empty” if he goes through a season at Real Madrid without winning a trophy.

    The 32-year-old has enjoyed a glittering career at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning three Champions Leagues and two LaLiga titles among a host of major honours.

    The Portugal captain, who helped his country to Euro 2016 glory, has also claimed three Ballons d’Or and last year’s The Best FIFA Men’s Player award, adding to the prizes he won while at Manchester United.

    Ronaldo has endured a frustrating start to 2017-18, failing to score in LaLiga since returning from a five-match domestic ban, while Madrid are already seven points behind league leaders Barcelona.

    But the club’s record goalscorer remains as determined as ever to get his hands on more silverware between now and next June.

    “Inside the pitch, the most important thing is to win trophies,” he told former United team-mate Rio Ferdinand for Nike Football. “We work 10, 11 months; if you don’t win anything, it’s empty.

    “I like to win trophies, collective and individual, because I work hard for that.

    “Outside, it’s the family and friends that I have [that are the most important thing] and to try to be the most happy person in the world.”

    Ronaldo moved to Madrid from Old Trafford in 2009 for what was then a world-record fee of €94million, and was presented to a capacity crowd at the Bernabeu after signing his contract.

    The former Sporting CP youngster admits the attention at the time came as a shock but is proud of his achievements since leaving England.

    “When I landed here, I started to feel the atmosphere,” he said. “I thought it was a game. All these people coming just to see me. It was an unbelievable day. I’m so proud.

    “I just thought ‘I want to go there to show my level, to show I’m a different player’. This is what I did. I did a fantastic season and I’ve improved every season.

    “But I never forget the Red Devils. I learned to be better and better, to be around the best players in the world. If you have talent and you work hard, you can be a huge player.”

    When asked where he imagined he would be in 10 years’ time, Ronaldo joked he could follow in the footsteps of Ferdinand, who recently announced plans to become a boxer.

    “In 10 years, it will be tough. Maybe I’ll do boxing like you!” he said.