A recent headline in the sports paper Record read “Ronaldo is Portugal”; the article said he is “Portugal's greatest global icon”. Even Benfica fans, who previously abused him, now see him as national hero.

Ronaldo made his national team debut in august 2003 at just 18 and just a star at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup. During 2006, he made a particular breakthrough. He was voted Portugal's best player abroad by managers of the Portuguese top division edging Luis Figo out of top spot for the first time in many years. 16 of the 17 coaches who voted picked Ronaldo. Ronaldo admits that recognition gives him extra responsibility in his homeland.

Nowhere is he more lauded than in his native Madeira where he receive the "Insignia Autonomica de Valor", the highest distinction a Madeiran can be given. Regional president Alberto Joao Jardim justified the homage to the “most famous Madeiran in the whole world” by paying tribute to “his technical capability, his personality, tenacity and courage” and also “they way in which he wins in his life”, which he considered to be “a living example of Madeiran culture”. “There aren't many Cristiano Ronaldo in the world”, he said.

Former sporting president Sousa Cintra says,” I feel pride as a Portuguese seeing a star who is recognized around the world as one of the best players. For me he's the best. I'm sure next year he'll be voted best in the world.”

Ronaldo was disappointed to be named only the third best FIFA's awards, but Leonel Pontes, who was youth coach at Sporting, and is currently first team assist coach, recalls “He always wanted to be the best, the strongest and the one who scored the most goals. From the moment he was named third, he saw it as a challenge”. “He's reached and unbelievable level and it's extraordinary what he's done so far. Most players who have archived stafdom did so later. Luis Figo, for examples reached his best at 25-26, received the Balon D' at the age of 28, was best in the world at 29.”

Figo said of Ronaldo “had I been born with his talent, I wouldn't have had to work as hard as I did.” To which Ronaldo replied “it very gratifying to hear praise from a great player.”

Portugal coach, Luis Filipe Scolari has also seen the player develop his potential. “He had all the potential to be the one of him leading figures of world football. He has received my vote of confidence and has grown a lot. Now, I want him to become one of the captains of our team.”

Manchester Utd v Aalborg
Manchester Utd are through to the knockout stages of the Champions League for the 12th time in their history. Only Real Madrid have fared better. If they at least match Villarreal’s result, they will top the group.
Manchester Utd are unbeaten in their last 18 CL games (11 wins, seven draws). Their last defeat in the competition dates back to May 2007 (0-3 v AC Milan).
Aalborg on the other hand have never won away from home in the CL (four defeats, one draw).
The Red Devils have the best defensive record in this season’s CL with only one goal conceded, keeping four clean sheets.
They have also had the most shots in the CL this campaign, 77.
Aalborg have only kept one clean sheet in their Champions League history –at Celtic Park back in September (0-0).

Lyon v Bayern Munich
Both Lyon and Bayern are through to the last 16. Bayern have to beat Lyon if they are to top the group ahead of the French team.
This is the sixth consecutive time that Lyon have qualified for the knockout stages of Europe’s premier club competition.
Lyon have won their last three CL games, scoring nine goals in the process.
Claude Puel’s side has hit the woodwork four times, a CL high this season.
The French side has also fared well against German opposition, winning six of their last eight encounters and drawing the other two.
Only Barcelona (16) have scored more goals than Lyon (12) this season in the CL.
Lyon have conceded the most headed goals – 6.
No side has had more shots on target than Bayern Munich – 35.
Bayern have scored in their last 12 CL games on the road.
The Munich side has never scored more than one goal against French opposition in the CL. Its only CL victory in France dates back to December 2001 when they won in Nantes (1-0).
Frank Ribéry has completed the most dribbles in the CL this season – 22.

Steaua Bucharest v Fiorentina
A draw will suffice for Fiorentina to qualify for the Uefa Cup. However, a defeat in Romania would see Steaua overtake the Florence club in third place.
The Bucharest side has not won in the CL since September 2006, a run stretching back 16 games (12 defeats, four draws). 
Fiorentina have won only once on the road in the CL, way back in October 1999 (1-0 v Arsenal, at Wembley).
The team from Florence has failed to win any of its last eight games in the competition (four defeats, four draws). Its last win stretches back to March 2000 (1-0 v Valencia).
No side has picked up fewer points than Steaua Bucharest in this season’s Champions League (1). 
The Romanian side has conceded 10 goals in its last three CL games.
La Viola has had the most headed attempts in the CL this season – 19. Alberto Gilardino has scored all three of his goals with his head.

Dynamo Kiev v Fenerbahce
Dynamo Kiev are guaranteed third place while Fenerbahce have nothing to play for, as they can only finish bottom of the group.
Kiev have only won one of their last 18 CL games (13 defeats, four draws).
Dynamo’s last home win in the competition dates back to November 23rd 2004 (2-0 v Roma). Intriguingly enough, Fenerbahce’s last away win in the CL was also on that same date. They won 1-0 away against Sparta Prague.
The Turks are without a win in their last six CL games (four defeats, two draws).
The Ukrainians keep it tight in the first-half. Along with Shakhtar Donetsk, Dynamo Kiev are the only other side in this season’s CL who have yet to concede before half-time.

Porto v Arsenal
Assured of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League for the third consecutive season, Porto have to beat Arsenal if they are to finish top of the group.
Arsenal have qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League for the sixth consecutive season.
No English side has ever won in Porto.
However, in the three encounters between the two sides, Porto have never managed to score against Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger will take charge of his 700th Arsenal game in this match.
Arsenal have kept three clean sheets in their last four CL games. They’ve also never failed to score in their last five CL away games.
Jesualdo Ferreira’s men have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five CL fixtures, conceding eight goals in the process.
At the Dragao though, no CL visiting team has ever scored more than one goal since Artmedia Bratislava won 3-2 back in September 2005. 
Cesc Fabregas and Gaël Clichy are their sides’ work horses. They have registered 109 and 106 touches per game respectively in this season’s CL. No players have been more active.

Juventus v BATE Borisov
A draw will be enough for Juventus to secure top spot in group H, ahead of Real Madrid.
BATE Borisov are certain of finishing bottom of the group.
The Belarussian side are without a win in this season’s competition (three defeats, two draws) and are yet to keep a clean sheet. They have failed to score in their last two CL games.
Juventus have won 10 of their last 12 CL home games.
The Juve defense are impregnable at home, conceding only four goals in their last 14 CL games in Turin.
All four of Alessandro Del Piero’s goals in the CL this season have been from outside the box.

Real Madrid v Zenit St Petersburg
Real Madrid have to win and hope BATE Borisov beat Juventus to finish top of the group.
This is the 13th time Real Madrid have qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League, a record.
Zenit St Petersburg, last season’s Uefa Cup winners, are guaranteed third place and therefore Uefa Cup football next year.
Real Madrid have only failed to score twice in their last 20 CL games.
St Petersburg have kept clean sheets in their last two CL outings.

Euro 2008 was as disappointing for Ronaldo individually as it was for Portugal as whole. Upon arrival, he was expected to set the tournament alight but Ronaldo struggled to make an impact and Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-finals. This though, was about the only disappointment of the player’s year. Ronaldo’s 42 goals and numerous assists propelled Manchester United the English Premier League title and Champions League crown. Without the contribution of the Portuguese, this double would never have been possible. His contribution to games was often spectacular to behold too. His stopovers, flicks and skills thrilled fans at United’s Old Trafford Stadium and he has become a renowned dead ball specialist through his venomous, swerving free kicks. No other player can claim to have been as effective and influential over the passed twelve months.

Ronaldo should be loved more than he is though. His actions, both on and the pitch can irritate opposing fans and have made him a figure of hate among some followers of the game. Firstly he is perceived to be a cheat. He has a reputation for diving and feigning injury and regularly complains about opponents to referees. Ronaldo has also been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid and has seemed to encourage the speculation in a bid to force a transfer through. Many fans see this as an immoral lack of loyalty, shown by a man earning well over £100,000 a week.

Second in the polling for the Ballon D’or, due to sparkling recent form was Barcelona’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi. At this moment in time, Messi’s form is the driving force behind Barcelona’s rise to the top of the Spanish League. On current form he is probably the world’s most influential player, but more crucially he is perceived to be far more likeable than Ronaldo. Messi’s close dribbling skills, pace and goals make him an equally attractive player to watch for the fans and his outward positivity in games makes him far more endearing to the casual observer.

Ronaldo has justifiably been recognised as having been the best player of the last 12 months. If he is to win the award again however and beat players like Messi, he may have to work on his image. If the Argentine can sustain his current form in the long term, he will outshine the Portuguese not only with his ability but with his on field personality. Ronaldo can currently only excite in spite of his.

Following on from ending Chelsea’s 86 game unbeaten home record on Sunday, Liverpool maintained the top spot position in the league as they secured 3 points against a stubborn Portsmouth team who were adjusting to life without Harry Redknapp. After his surprise move to take over the managers role at Tottenham Hotspur late over the weekend, it was his opposite number Rafael Benetiz who rung the changes from the team that won at Chelsea on Sunday. Despite dominating the lion’s share of possession, the team from the red half of Merseyside laboured until the 76^th minute when captain Steven Gerrard stepped up to slot home a penalty kick awarded after a moment of madness from the Portsmouth midfielder Papa Diop as he handled an incoming corner-kick. The best chance of scoring for the visitors had earlier fallen to the same player who managed to head the ball into the hands of Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal when directing the ball anywhere else would have seen the visitors go up by a goal.

For the teams who found themselves holding onto joint second spot before yesterday’s action, the match played out at Hull’s KC Stadium could have been a tricky encounter for a visiting Chelsea side smarting after Sunday’s loss to Liverpool. As it turned out an early inspired chip by Frank Lampard in the 3^rd minute put Hull on the back foot as they tried to maintain their fantastic start to their debut season in England’s top league. Although the visiting west Londoner’s racked up further goals from Nicholas Anelka and Flourent Malouda, the final 3-nil score-line flattered the visitors as the home said created good opportunity’s before the third and decisive goal. If a Geovanni free-kick or a Daniel Cousin long distance shot had gone in as opposed to hitting the base of the post, Hull could well have been rewarded for the attitude and commitment they poured into this game. As it was the Tigers walked away with nothing to show for their efforts apart from the knowledge that they almost gave as good as they got.

Christano Ronaldo playing for Manchester United against West Ham United put in another performance which helps explain why this week saw him pick up the FifPro World Player Of the Year award, in addition prior to kick-off the Golden Boot for netting 42 times last season in United’s double-winning campaign. Although the Portuguese winger came close to scoring a hat-rick for the second time in the Premiership, the game will be remembered for a piece of divine skill which helped set-up the player’s second goal. Dimitar Berbatov showed exactly what thirty and a half million pounds will buy you as the forward produced a touch and pirouette which had the West Ham United defender in front of him routed to the spot. Whilst Collins was left pondering about what exactly had just taken place Berbatov strode away and slid an inch-perfect ball for Ronaldo to slot home from six yards. Despite winning their first two games under new Italian manager Gainfranco Zola, West Ham’s form of late has seen them loose their last four encounters, and with only 12 points from 10 games a pick-up in form is sorely hoped for.

Back in north London, the 143^rd derby between Arsenal and Tottenham will remain long in the memory for the one-sidedness of delightful Arsenal play, and a 4-4 score-line which saw Tottenham rescue a point in the dying moments of an eventful game. Buoyed by Sunday’s victory under new manager Harry Redknapp, Spurs set about their historical enemy as if their poor early season form under Juande Ramos was already a long distant memory. David Bentley got proceedings under way with a sublime 13^th minute effort against his former club, which saw him cushion a chest down from Jermaine Jenas on the instep of his boot and in one fluid movement strike the volley from the edge of the centre circle and in to the Arsenal net via the fingertips of Almunia in goal. Stung by their opponents early promise, what was to follow was wave upon wave of Arsenal pressure as their goal tally racked up. At 4-2 and thinking a satisfactory night’s work was already done, Arsene Wenger brought off two of the Tottenham‘s main tormentors for a well-deserved rest. However, what came after could quite possibly haunt this gifted but ‘naïve’ Arsenal team when final league standings come about next May. First on 89^th minute Jenas, again captaining the team in Ledley King’s absence, produced a superb curling effort to set up the rip-roaring finish, which then saw Aaron Lennon score of a rebound in the games dying moments.

Elsewhere in the Premier League Andrew Johnson racked up his first goals since signing for Fulham as he passed the landmark of 100 league goals scored, as Wigan were consigned to their fourth successive league defeat, Steve Bruce’s worst run of results sign taking over as manager at the club. Everton’s record signing, Marouanne Fellani from Belgian side Standard Liege, scored his third goal in four games as the away side secured victory in a dour game at Bolton Wander’s Reebok Stadium. Short of goal mouth action, Bolton remain rooted in the bottom three after another display that exposed their lack of a cutting edge which has seen them score only eight goals from ten league games.

Aston Villa despite playing three games in six days, made it three wins out of three as they took on a determined Blackburn side at home to go into fourth spot in the Premier League. Although the away side opened and closed the scoring in this fixture first with a Stephen Warnock long-range strike and a marvellously taken free kick by Bret Emerton in the 90^th minute, it was the work produced by Ashley Young and James Milner on the wings which went a long way to addressing those scores. The later “worked a miracle” in the words of manager Martin O’Neil to create an opening for Gareth Barry which saw the England midfielder score his third goal in three games. Points were made safe as Gabriel Agbonlahor struck in the 87^th minute to keep alive those Villa aspirations of securing a Champions League place finish.

Manchester City, despite unofficially being crowned the ‘wealthiest club in world football’ are still not the finished article as they lost two nil away to Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. Where talking points abound in this game, most notably goals from Alfonso Alves and Gary O’Neil, the two-fingered gesture of Shaun Wright-Phillips in the general direction of ‘Brough manager Gareth Manager as he left the field after being substituted could well lead to further consequences for the in-form England wide player.

In the final game of the night, Stoke City moved away from the bottom three as they took on at home a Sunderland team who continue to infuriate their fanatical support with their in-and-out form. After walking away from the North-East derby with Newcastle over the weekend with victory, the visiting team put in a performance which showed where they had left their heads. With an approach of play which sees Stoke try to make the most of dead ball situations, it was unsurprisingly a missile of a throw from Rory Delap which saw Ricardo Fuller head home from close range. This seemed however to spur the home team onto a passage of play which ranks amongst the best they have produced thus far this season.

1. Billy Meredith
2. Sandy Turnball
3. Jimmy Bannister
4. Herbert Burgess

As the club grew, so did their success, in 1908 Manchester United won the First Division for the first time, they also went on to win it a second time in 1911. Not only did they feature success in the Leagues but also in the domestic cups, and in May 1909 they won the the FA Cup Final, with a 1-0 win over Bristol City.

Manchester United also have one of the best football stadiums in the world to their credit. Old trafford, or the Theatre of Dreams as its also known, was built in January 1910. During the second world war, the stadium was the victim of bombing, resulting in Manchester United having to play and share Maine Road with their rivals Manchester City.

As soon as the war was over, and Old Trafford was restored back to its original state, normal play was resumed.

It wasn't long until Manchester United seen a new figure at the reins, and in 1945 Matt Busby took over and became manager. With Busby now in charge, there were always going to be changes, and in October 1945 he called in Jimmy Murphy to coach the reserve team. The changes he had made were for the good, and Manchester United won 4-2 over blackpool in the 1958 FA Cup Final. United then went on to win the first divison for the first time in 41 years. Not just the senior team were experiencing success and in May 1953 the Reserve team won the first of 5 consecutive FA youth Cup titles.

As you can see from the information above, Manchester United were one of the most consistent threats in english football since forming.

Nowadays Manchester United still pose a threat to any team they come up against, and are one of the major teams dominating the beautiful game, not just English football but also worldwide football.

As a result of their breathtaking football and worldwide recognition, Manchester United Football Club are considered one of, or if not the wealthiest club in the world.

I believe the pressure on managers nowadays is crazy and unfair! If a team loses, the finger is more often than not pointed towards the manager and not the players, even though it is the 11 men on the pitch that are playing the game!?

I'm surprised the modern game of football (soccer) hasn't scared away all upcoming managers to be quite honest. Managers seem to get an incredible short time frame, in which to turn around a losing team, into that of a team capable of winning games week in and week out. If the new manager is not successful within that period of time, then it is simply "bye bye".



In the past it was a completely different story, for example, Sir Alex Ferguson took over as manager of Manchester United in the 1980's after a successful time as manager of Scottish Team, Aberdeen. However, it wasn't till several years after first taking over the position - and many additions to the team - did Ferguson start winning silverware. Now he is arguably the most successful manager in the history of the game, and is still going!

However, in the present time, such a story is non-existent as managers these days simply aren't allowed enough time to work their "magic".

I believe if something isn't done about the situation sooner rather than later, there will be no one willing to take on the role of manager, and ultimately the sport will suffer!

Please comment your views on the subject, i'd be interested to hear what you think! :D

Obscene

The money clubs pay for players and the money players receive for playing the game is obscene when you consider what people in the real world are receiving for doing work that is essential to society. While millions of people struggle to make ends meet and millions are living in poverty, it seems gross that people are earning a fortune every week for playing a game. This of course applies to more than soccer. It is a trend we see the world over as sports, film and music stars are paid enormous sums of money for things that we can actually live without.

Money Talks

The current situation in soccer now is that success generally revolves around money. It no longer about how young players are nurtured through the club system or how a manager can work to get the best out of players who play for the jersey. The key factor is: Who has the most money? Whoever has the money will basically buy the team they want. Now that Manchester City are the richest club, we hear about their short-term plans to buy all the best players in the world including Christiano Ronaldo, who currently plays for Manchester United.

Some of these money-crunching clubs are going to find to their cost that they have spent millions on players who will not perform and who will not guarantee success. Tottenham Hotspur spent big and currently sit bottom of the league. Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and the latest rich club Manchester City will all spend a fortune on players but only one of them can win the Premiership. Money can buy players but it won't necessarily buy success.

The big four - Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool - are looking for the title in this 2008-09 season.

Which one will be the greatest amongst the great?

Will the current champion be able to renew the title?

Let us analyse the reigning title owner - Man U.

So what defines this season's Manchester United?

• Side-Kick

  Well, it is inevitable to mention Manchester United had an issue to resolve during pre-season: the Cristiano Ronaldo issue, that is. Does anyone really think this matter is over and resolved? No, not by far. And why? - would you ask. Quite simply because although he is still an MU player, his head is already be in Madrid, where the sun shines for the whole year (and I don't just mean the 9 months of the season...) There is so much to be said on this theme, I'll come back to this at a later opportunity, assuring you for now that we will all be debating this again soon.
  

• Recycling In-House Talent

  MU has since the end of last season failed to hire any new player into the club. But this doesn't mean everything is the same.
  
  Assuring the comeback of Fraizer Campbell who had been on loan to Hull City, MU has also promoted two of his young Brazilian players to the main squad: the twin brothers Fabio da Silva (left defender) and Rafael da Silva (right defender). About these two, Sir Alex Ferguson has said: they are sensational!
  

• Quality and Stability

  We have all gotten used to MU's tactic of not hiring much - this is a team that distanciates itself from the rest for another reason: the stability of the coaching team (Sir Alex Ferguson, for one, has been in the club for over 20 years). And even assisting coach Carlos Queiroz' move to head the Portuguese National Team, while it constitutes a great loss, shouldn't be enough to disturb this stability.

In terms of hiring new players, the moto is less is more. As in, a small number of very good (and expensive) acquisitions who will add something (or a lot) of value of the squad, those types of players who will make the difference (like Totenham Hotspurs' striker Dimitar Berbatov, rummored to be on his way to the club). Sometimes this is an investment - perhaps the player will not be an immediate success in their first year in the club, but you can safely bet this will eventually happen.

Whether or not this current state of affairs will be enough to ensure they retain the title, remains to be seen as the 08-09 Premier League unfolds.

The Gunner's maestro dominated the experienced German midfield and showed exactly why there are too few superlatives in the English language to describe his ability. The fluidity and aesthetic appeal of the Spanish in this tournament was nothing short of extraordinary - movement and vision encapsulated the aforementioned midfield quartet was arguably the key to success. In a time when football fans seem to call for more value for money through the turnstiles from the so called entertainment business- it was Spain who delivered the goods in every game. Only the second team to win every game of the Euros made Spain undoubtedly worthy winners which of course this begs the question; "Just how will the new European champions fare in 2010 at the next world cup against the traditional superpowers of Brazil and Argentina?"

In my humble opinion, it is a joy to behold the architects of some of the most precise, exuberant and lethal football being played, what's more is that it's these teams who are winning more often than not. In 2008 Manchester United edged out Chelsea in both the Premiership and Champions League, much to the delight of many footballing neutrals who were much more endured to the style and finesse of United than the power and efficiency of Chelsea. The likes of Drogba, Ballack, Lampard and Essien all played vital roles within the 2008 campaign for Chelsea, however it was these powerhouses who were preferred in Mourinho's and then Grant's teams selections over the more technically minded Kalou, Malouda and Wright-Phillips.

The appointment of Luiz Filipe Scolari as new Chelsea coach this summer has sparked rumors of a new Chelsea style, comparable to that of Manchester United, Barcelona, and other such iconic teams associated with the beautiful game. The first signing of Scolari was fellow Brazilian (now Portuguese by nationality) playmaker Deco. In a sensational coup, Scolari may have just found the missing component to Chelsea's title ambitions. The flair, pzazz and audacity of Deco could similarly rake in millions through media interest in a more attractive looking Chelsea team, commercial sales through shirts, and indeed more neutral support - A winner on all fronts for Abramovic, Kenyon, Buck and the rest of the Chelsea hierarchy.

Football is a beautiful game, one remembered for exciting games and gifted players. If the changing face of football is one with this façade, and this looks increasingly likely, it makes for an exciting time to come in the world's most beloved game. Long live the beautiful game.