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The Two Ronnies - The Best And Worst Of Cristiano Ronaldo
The world's most expensive player has had his good, bad and ugly moments over his six seasons in England, as timelined by Goal.com's Greg Ptolomey...
15-Jun-2009 9:00:00 PM
August 8 2003 George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David
Beckham... Manchester United's number 7 shirt has usually been worn by
a special player. Nearly six years ago, Sir Alex Ferguson felt
compelled to spend £12.24 million on Sporting CP prodigy Cristiano
Ronaldo, making the gawky teenager with the world at his feet the
latest focal point of the Red Devils. He made his debut off the bench a
week later during the trouncing of Bolton Wanderers, scoring his first
goal, a free-kick, in the win over Portsmouth in November.
Cristianogram: A Sic Intro
May 22 2004 Opens the scoring as United beat Millwall to lift the FA Cup, and is subsequently voted the club's Player of the Year. Still, at this point many still believe Cristiano must work hard to develop the all-round game needed to become one of the greats.
Cristianogram: Cos I Train
July 1 2006 As Portugal take on England in the World Cup quarter-finals, the British public are given their first indication that 'CR7' may not quite revere England, Bovril, The Queen, Earl Gray and all the rest as he winks consiprationally after becoming involved in an incident which resulted in Wayne Rooney being sent off. He subsequently scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out elimination of the Three Lions, before admitting a week later that he wants to leave United and play in Spain. Unfortunately for him, you can't spell Cristiano without 'no', and he stays put.
Cristianogram: Actor I Sin
April 22 2007 Having shrugged off a luke-warm reception on his return to Premier League action, Ronaldo bags both the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year gongs – the first person to win the dual awards since Andy Gray thirty years previously – as United win their first league title in four years. As it happens, Gray, now a high-profile pundit, became sickeningly excited whilst talking about Ronaldo in the build-up to the recent Champions League final.
January 12 2008 By now a bona-fide goalscoring demon, Ronaldo slams home his first hat-trick for the club in front of a once-again adoring Old Trafford faithful, en route to a win over Newcastle United.
Cristianogram: Trios I Can
March 19 2008 Soaring high, Ronaldo captains United for the first time, bagging a brace as Bolton Wanderers are dispatched. Man Utd would soon celebrate another Premier League title, as 'Fergie' looked to establish a fresh dynasty built around his Portuguese powerhouse.
May 21 2008 A headed goal – an astounding 42nd of the season – puts United in front as they go head-to-head with Chelsea in Moscow, contesting the Champions League final. The Blues storm back, but the Manc outfit hold on to force a penalty shoot-out. Ronaldo misses his attempt, but John Terry slips on the rain-drenched turf to let Ron off the hook and United are soon parading the trophy.
Cristianogram: Cos It Rain
Jan 8 2009 Although unhurt, the newly-crowned Ballon d'Or winner manages to total his Ferrari 599 GTB in a tunnel en route to the club's Carrington training complex. It's his first and last drive of the ill-fated vehicle, but try to hold back the tears, for there's Bentley Continentals and Rolls Royce Phantoms lying around on standby. Rumours suggest that the Ferrari was smashed due to its red paint job, as he'd requested white.
Cristianogram: Car I Sit On
Cristianogram: I Can To Sir
Cristianogram: Stair Coin
Greg Ptolomey, Goal.com
Cristianogram: A Sic Intro
May 22 2004 Opens the scoring as United beat Millwall to lift the FA Cup, and is subsequently voted the club's Player of the Year. Still, at this point many still believe Cristiano must work hard to develop the all-round game needed to become one of the greats.
Cristianogram: Cos I Train
July 1 2006 As Portugal take on England in the World Cup quarter-finals, the British public are given their first indication that 'CR7' may not quite revere England, Bovril, The Queen, Earl Gray and all the rest as he winks consiprationally after becoming involved in an incident which resulted in Wayne Rooney being sent off. He subsequently scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out elimination of the Three Lions, before admitting a week later that he wants to leave United and play in Spain. Unfortunately for him, you can't spell Cristiano without 'no', and he stays put.
Cristianogram: Actor I Sin
April 22 2007 Having shrugged off a luke-warm reception on his return to Premier League action, Ronaldo bags both the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year gongs – the first person to win the dual awards since Andy Gray thirty years previously – as United win their first league title in four years. As it happens, Gray, now a high-profile pundit, became sickeningly excited whilst talking about Ronaldo in the build-up to the recent Champions League final.
Cristianogram: Sir Action
January 12 2008 By now a bona-fide goalscoring demon, Ronaldo slams home his first hat-trick for the club in front of a once-again adoring Old Trafford faithful, en route to a win over Newcastle United.
Cristianogram: Trios I Can
March 19 2008 Soaring high, Ronaldo captains United for the first time, bagging a brace as Bolton Wanderers are dispatched. Man Utd would soon celebrate another Premier League title, as 'Fergie' looked to establish a fresh dynasty built around his Portuguese powerhouse.
Cristianogram: I Star Icon
May 21 2008 A headed goal – an astounding 42nd of the season – puts United in front as they go head-to-head with Chelsea in Moscow, contesting the Champions League final. The Blues storm back, but the Manc outfit hold on to force a penalty shoot-out. Ronaldo misses his attempt, but John Terry slips on the rain-drenched turf to let Ron off the hook and United are soon parading the trophy.
Cristianogram: Cos It Rain
Jan 8 2009 Although unhurt, the newly-crowned Ballon d'Or winner manages to total his Ferrari 599 GTB in a tunnel en route to the club's Carrington training complex. It's his first and last drive of the ill-fated vehicle, but try to hold back the tears, for there's Bentley Continentals and Rolls Royce Phantoms lying around on standby. Rumours suggest that the Ferrari was smashed due to its red paint job, as he'd requested white.
Cristianogram: Car I Sit On
May 10 2009 Simmering tensions start to come to the fore
during the derby win over Manchester City, when Ronaldo reacts poorly
to being hooked in the second half. Although Sir Alex bafflingly
described the player's reaction as "fabulous" after the game, he is
less forgiving three days later, berating Ronaldo, who again reacts
badly, as he squanders a chance against Wigan Athletic.
Cristianogram: I Can To Sir
June 11 Manchester United accept a staggering £80 million bid
from Real Madrid – that "mob" Fergie said he'd never sell to – for
Cristiano Ronaldo, who was swanning around Hollywood at the time. How
appropriate.
Cristianogram: Stair Coin
Greg Ptolomey, Goal.com
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