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Tag: Ronaldo

  • ‘I don’t know if the VAR wasn’t paying attention’ – Otto Addo on Ronaldo’s penalty

    Ghana coach Otto Addo fumed at the decision to award Portugal a penalty in their thrilling win over the Black Stars on Thursday, declaring: “I don’t know if the VAR wasn’t paying attention”.

    Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to net at five editions of the World Cup when he opened the scoring from the spot at Stadium 974, as Portugal eventually ran out 3-2 winners.

    Ghana, however, were incensed by referee Ismail Elfath’s decision to award the spot-kick, believing Mohammed Salisu won the ball with his challenge on the five-time Ballon d’Or-winner.

    Addo hit out at Elfath’s performance and revealed he was denied the chance to speak to him after Ghana’s defeat.

    Asked whether Ronaldo benefitted from a favourable decision, Addo said: “I think you’d have to ask the referee. I have no proof of that, but we were playing the ball, then there was a contact.

    “If I look at that moment, it’s incredible. If you look at a replay, we played the ball. It was actually a foul against us.

    “The game was hectic, we made a few mistakes to allow the second and third goals, opening the lines for them to pass it. It was a little bit unlucky.

    “With a bit of luck, we could have got one point. The referee was not in our favour. In my view, our yellow cards were deserved, but for me, holding jerseys is also a yellow card. I don’t know what was wrong, but he was really not in our favour.

    “I asked some people from FIFA if I could talk briefly to the referee in a calm and quiet way, but they said he is in a meeting and it’s not possible.

    “I think they have match analysis, so it’s the truth, but surely you can have some minutes for the coach.”

    Ghana full-back Tariq Lamptey was also asked about the decision, responding: “I think you saw it. You can give your opinion.”

    The African nation have now lost their opening match on three of their four participations at the World Cup (W1), but Lamptey believes there were plenty of positives to take.

    “Obviously, I would have liked to get the win,” Lamptey said. “They have a lot of world-class players in their team, but we felt like we could have got the result we deserved, and we were so close to getting that.

    “We know we played well, but it’s a difficult one as we know we could have got something. We’ll put that energy into our next game and give it our best.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • 2022 World Cup: Portugal narrowly beats Ghana

    Ghana wished for victory in its game against Portugal at the 2022 World Cup tournament, but if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

    Portugal gained dominance briefly after Black Stars captain Andre Dede Ayew scored an equalizer.

    Dede Ayew cancelled out Ronaldo’s 64th goal at the 73rd minute.

    But his efforts were put to waste after Portugal added two more goals in less than 10 minutes after the equalizer.

    J. Felix scored at the 78th minute not long after Dede Ayew was substituted. Dede could not believe his eyes.

    Shock engulfed his entire being when Leao added a third for Portugal at the 80th minute.

    But hope emerged from the shadows for Ghana after Bukari scored at the 89th minute.

    However, Ghana was unable to cancel out Portugal’s goals.

    Ghana will later face Uruguay and South Korea in Group H.

  • World Cup 2022: Fight with team work, determination and perseverance – Black Stars told

    Former Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah, has charged the current team to give out their best in their 2022 World Cup opener against Portugal today.

    In a tweet, he encouraged the players to work as a unit and endure the difficult task ahead of them in order to emerge victorious.

    “My Guys today is yet another day to prove to the world that we are the only Black star that shines,”

    “The battle may seem tough but remember you are not alone. Ghana and Africa is behind you. Fight with team work, determination and perseverance… It is possible…”

    Black Stars will begin their campaign against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal before taking on South Korea and Uruguay in the other Group H matches.

    Only three sides from the continent have ever progressed to the quarter-finals; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.

    Ghana will be hoping to progress from the group stage at this year’s tournament.

    Black Stars exited the group stage at the 2014 edition in Brazil after a slow start to the tournament.

    Ghana are making a record 4th World Cup appearance in Qatar having previously played in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 in Germany, South Africa and Brazil respectively.

     

     

  • World Cup 2022: Partey, Kudus to return to Black Stars starting XI for Portugal game

    Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus are set to named in Ghana’s starting XI to face Portugal in their 2022 World Cup opener today.

    The duo missed Black Stars’ friendly win over Switzerland for various reasons, however, they are expected to named in coach Otto Addo’s line-up.

    Kudus has been in fine form for Ajax this season, primarily playing as a false nine. He has scored 10 goals and provided two assists in 21 appearances.

    Partey on the other hand, has been a key cog of Mikel Arteta’s side this season, making 15 appearances and scoring two goals in the process.

    Black Stars will begin their campaign against Portugal on Thursday before taking on South Korea and Uruguay in the other Group H matches.

    Ghana are making a record 4th World Cup appearance in Qatar having previously played in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 in Germany, South Africa and Brazil respectively.

    The 2022 FIFA World Cup takes place between November 20 and December 18, 2022.

    Only three sides from the continent have ever progressed to the quarter-finals; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.

    Ghana will be hoping to progress from the group stage at this year’s tournament.

    Black Stars exited the group stage at the 2014 edition in Brazil after a slow start to the tournament.

    Source: Football Ghana

  • World Cup 2022: Ghana are physically a strong team and technically as well – Ruben Dias

    Portugal defender Ruben Dias has heaped praise on Ghana ahead of their 2022 World Cup opener on Thursday, claiming they are physically a strong team.

    Cristiano Ronaldo’s falling out with Manchester United has dominated the build-up to the game which will be played at Doha’s Stadium 974 on Thursday.

    Fernando Santos’ side will also face Uruguay and South Korea in the other Group H games as they look to qualify for the round of 16.

    “Ghana are physically a strong team, technically as well. They have footballers who are playing at the top level in Europe,” Dias said in a press conference on Tuesday.

    Ghana are making a record 4th World Cup appearance in Qatar having previously played in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 in Germany, South Africa and Brazil respectively.

    Black Stars will be hoping to progress from the group stage at this year’s tournament.

    The West African country exited the group stage at the 2014 edition in Brazil after a slow start to the tournament.

    Black Stars have been drawn in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.

    After playing Portugal in their first game at Stadium 974 (Rass Abou Aboud) on Thursday, they will take on South Korea and Uruguay on November 28 and December 2 respectively.

    Source: Football Ghana

  • Manchester United owners Glazers consider selling Premier League club

    Manchester United’s owners the Glazer family say they are considering selling the club as they “explore strategic alternatives”.

    The Americans bought the club for £790m ($1.34bn) in 2005.

    Their move follows years of protest from fans against the ownership.

    A statement from the club said the board will “consider all strategic alternatives, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the company”.

    It added that the process “will include an assessment of several initiatives to strengthen the club, including stadium and infrastructure redevelopment, and expansion of the club’s commercial operations on a global scale” to enhance “the long-term success of the club’s men’s, women’s and academy teams, and bringing benefits to fans and other stakeholders”.

    In 2012, the Glazers sold 10% of their holding via a stock listing and have sold further shares in the following years.

    “As we seek to continue building on the club’s history of success, the board has authorised a thorough evaluation of strategic alternatives,” said executive co-chairmen and directors Avram Glazer and Joel Glazer.

    “We will evaluate all options to ensure that we best serve our fans and that Manchester United maximises the significant growth opportunities available to the club today and in the future.

    “Throughout this process we will remain fully focused on serving the best interests of our fans, shareholders, and various stakeholders.”

    The Glazer family have owned NFL side Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 1995 and Avram Glazer bought a team in the new United Arab Emirates Twenty20 cricket league in 2021.

    Joel and Avram took over the day-to-day running of United after their father Malcolm suffered a stroke in April 2006. Billionaire Malcolm died aged 85 in 2014.

    American investment firm Raine Group, who handled Chelsea’s £4.25bn sale in May, is exclusively advising United.

    The statement from the club added: “There can be no assurance that the review being undertaken will result in any transaction involving the company.

    “Manchester United does not intend to make further announcements regarding the review unless and until the board has approved a specific transaction or other course of action requiring a formal announcement.”

    United, who are fifth in the Premier League, have not won the title since 2013 and have not won a trophy since claiming the Europa League and EFL Cup in 2017.

    There have been multiple protests against the Glazers’ ownership in recent years, including one in May 2021 that caused United’s home league match against Liverpool to be postponed.

    Thousands of supporters marched to Old Trafford in protest before the same fixture this season, in August.

    United were part of the failed European Super League project that rapidly collapsed in April 2021. Manchester United co-chairman Joel Glazer later apologised for the unrest it caused.

    He has since attended fans’ forums in the wake of supporter unrest and pledged to make shares available to the club’s followers.

    According to Transfermarkt, United have a net spend of 1.36bn euros (£1.18bn) on transfers under the Glazers, with only Manchester City having a higher figure in that period.

    Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who left Manchester United with immediate effect on Tuesday, criticised the club ownership in a controversial interview last week – including saying the Glazer family “don’t care about the club” on the sporting side.

    The move to sell United comes after Liverpool chairman Tom Werner said Fenway Sports Group were “exploring a sale”.

    A Bloomberg report in August 2022 said the Glazer family were willing to sell a minority stake in the club.

    British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe said he would be interested in buying United but then stated in October that the Glazer family had told him they did not want to sell.

    Source: BBC

  • Ronaldo to leave Man Utd immediately, club says

    Manchester United have revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave the club with immediate effect.

    On their website, Manchester United stated that the number 7 player leaves by mutual agreement.

    “The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford,” the club’s statement added.

    This comes after Ronaldo made shocking comments about the club during an interview with Piers Morgan.

    The Portugal star took aim at manager Erik ten Hag, United’s ownership under the Glazer family, and several other members of the club’s hierarchy.

    “I shouldn’t say that [they were trying to get rid of me], I don’t know, but yes, I feel betrayed. I felt that some people didn’t want me here not only this year, but last year too.”

    Asked about his relationship with Ten Hag, Ronaldo replied: “I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me.

    “If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never going to have respect for you.”

    After his scathing comments, Cristiano Ronaldo acknowledged a Manchester United future appears unlikely.

    “I don’t know what’s going to happen after the World Cup, but as I told you before, and I will say again, the fans will be always in my heart.

    “I hope that they never forget the things that I will continue to do it. Not only in the past, but in the present too. Manchester will be always in my side, the fans will be always on my side.

    “It doesn’t matter what’s going to happen. When I arrived at Manchester United, I am always available to help the team to do good things, to put them in the right spots to compete with the best teams,” he said.

    Ronaldo since then has been linked with the likes of Chelsea, Juventus and Atletico Madrid among a plethora of Europe’s elite clubs.

    Ronaldo scored 145 goals and made 346 appearances while at Manchester United.

    Meanwhile, Man Utd say “everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team’s progress under Erik ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch.”

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Ronaldo backed for ‘phenomenal’ World Cup by Neves

    Cristiano Ronaldo will be “phenomenal” at the World Cup as long as Portugal meet expectations as a collective, according to his team-mate Ruben Neves.

    Ronaldo has been at the centre of a media storm over the past week after he took part in an astonishing interview with broadcaster Piers Morgan.

    During the one-on-one, Ronaldo was largely scathing of Manchester United, criticising the board, young players and manager, Erik ten Hag.

    United confirmed on Thursday they have dealt with the matter, though they did not disclose what punishment had been handed out to Ronaldo.

    He was then reported as being ill when absent for Portugal’s pre-World Cup friendly with Nigeria on Thursday, but he returned to training two days later.

    Despite the hysteria surrounding the 37-year-old, Neves insists Portugal – and Ronaldo – are looking good ahead of their World Cup opener against Ghana on Thursday.

    “From what I’ve seen in training, he’s in great shape,” Neves told reporters at Portugal’s training base.

    “[Ronaldo’s interview] is not at all a subject that concerns us. We know perfectly well that our collective must work very well to highlight individuals.

    “And With Cristiano it’s no different. If we’re good, we know that Cristiano is going to be phenomenal.”

    After Ronaldo joined up with the Portugal squad in the wake of his controversial interview, a video of him greeting his United colleague Bruno Fernandes was perceived to depict some hostility from the latter.

    The clip turned out to be from a longer video published by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), with Fernandes adamant they were sharing a joke that had been misconstrued.

    Neves supported this claim, dismissing the idea of controversy entering the dressing room.

    “There is no controversy in the locker room,” he continued. “It is impossible for us to discuss these controversies since they do not exist in the locker room.

    “These are more controversies outside and on social media rather than in the locker room.

    “Everything has been said. We are 100 per cent focused on the World Cup. We have a great atmosphere in the team, we are concentrating on that.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Benzema injury adds to tales of World Cup woe for Ballon d’Or winners

    France have been dealt another injury blow as Karim Benzema is out of the World Cup.

    Benzema will become the first reigning Ballon d’Or winner to miss a world finals since Allan Simonsen’s Denmark failed to qualify for the 1978 tournament.

    The ‘holders’ curse’ is now well established – Benzema had been hoping to help France end a sequence of three consecutive defending champions exiting in the first round – but Ballon d’Or victors have been no more fortunate.

    In fact, stars entering a World Cup recognised as the world’s best player have never gone home with the trophy.

    While Alfredo Di Stefano’s Spain, like Simonsen’s Denmark, did not qualify in 1958, Benzema is the first player to be absent through injury.

    But plenty of all-time greats have suffered World Cup heartache at their peak.

    Eusebio (1966)

    Eusebio lived up to his billing of being the best player in the world at the time by finishing as top scorer in the 1966 World Cup with nine goals. Thanks to the form of their star man, Portugal made quite the impact in their maiden tournament as they eliminated Brazil, who were without the injured Pele, but his penalty against England was not enough as the Selecao suffered semi-final heartbreak. The photo of a crestfallen Eusebio being led off the Wembley pitch remains iconic to this day, with the game being dubbed ‘Jogo das Lagrimas’ – the Game of Tears.

    Roberto Baggio (1994)

    After initially struggling to get going at USA 94 in an underwhelming group stage for Italy, Baggio finally came to life and showed why he was the world’s best in the knockout rounds. The Juventus star scored late on against Nigeria to take the game to extra time and then netted the winning goal in the additional period to set up a quarter-final with Spain, against whom he also bagged the winner. That hot streak continued with two more goals against Bulgaria in the semis, yet the tournament would ultimately end in heartbreak as he skied the decisive penalty for the Azzurri against Brazil – a miss that he has had to relive over and over since that day.

    Ronaldo (1998)

    Entering the World Cup as a true global superstar O Fenomeno – The Phenomenon – dealt with the intense pressure by scoring three times in Brazil’s run to another final, where hosts France awaited at the Parc des Princes. The showpiece is arguably best remembered more than two decades on for events prior to the match, with Ronaldo being left out of the starting line-up only to be reinstated 45 minutes before kick-off. The tale has been told countless times, though Ronaldo himself confirmed he was left out of the initial XI due to suffering a convulsion. While he won his battle to start, he could not make the impact he would have wanted as France ran out 3-0 winners in Saint-Denis.

    Cristiano Ronaldo (2014 & 2018)

    On the back of winning his second Champions League trophy, and the first of four with Real Madrid, Ronaldo looked in the mood to fire Portugal to a first World Cup crown. However, to say the tournament did not quite go Ronaldo and Portugal’s way would be a huge understatement. The Selecao lost 4-0 to eventual competition winners Germany in their opening match and then required a 95th-minute goal to salvage a 2-2 draw against the United States. A 2-1 win over Ghana in their final match, with Ronaldo at least getting off the mark in that game, failed to prevent Portugal from crashing out in the group stage. Portugal, European champions at the time, only fared marginally better four years later with the world’s best player in their ranks as they fell to Uruguay in the first knockout round.

    Source: Livescore

     

     

     

  • Man Utd taking ‘appropriate steps’ after Ronaldo TV interview

    Manchester United have “initiated appropriate steps” after Cristiano Ronaldo’s television interview.

    The Premier League club issued an update on Friday to confirm steps are under way, but they did not specify what action they were taking.

    Ronaldo, 37, criticised the club when he spoke to broadcaster Piers Morgan.

    The Portugal star took aim at manager Erik ten Hag, United’s ownership under the Glazer family, and several other members of the club’s hierarchy.

    United’s statement read: “Manchester United has this morning initiated appropriate steps in response to Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent media interview.

    “We will not be making further comment until this process reaches its conclusion.”

    Ronaldo was United’s top scorer with 24 goals in all competitions last term, but he reportedly asked to leave the club following their failure to qualify for the Champions League.

    He said in the TalkTV interview: “I feel betrayed. I felt that some people didn’t want me here not only this year, but last year too.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Ronaldo to miss Portugal’s World Cup warm-up game

    Cristiano Ronaldo will not be able to play in Portugal’s World Cup warm-up game against Nigeria on Thursday, according to head coach Fernando Santos.

    Speaking at a press conference, Santos said: “Ronaldo has gastritis and did not train today in order to recover and rest.

    “It’s a condition that doesn’t help much as it affects the players a lot, they lose a lot of liquid, they weaken. He won’t be ready for tomorrow, for sure.”

    The Portugal boss also dismissed concerns about Ronaldo’s interview with Piers Morgan in which he criticised his club, Manchester United.

    “[Ronaldo] didn’t have to inform us about the interview. Isn’t he free [to make his decisions]?

    “What I’m interested in is what is being spoken about in our camp and not what is being said outside. We have to respect his decision.

    “We have to respect the interview he gave. It has nothing to do with the national team,” he said.

    Portugal begin their World Cup campaign against Ghana on November 24, before also taking on Uruguay and South Korea in Group H.

  • Ronaldo says son’s death was ‘the most difficult moment of my life’

    Cristiano Ronaldo says the death of his baby son was “the most difficult moment I had in my life.”

    As part of a wide-ranging interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV, which will be released in full on Wednesday, Ronaldo has hit out at Manchester United and criticised his manager Erik ten Hag, among others.

    In a further snippet of the interview released on Tuesday, Ronaldo spoke of the tragic moment in April when he and his partner Georgina Rodriguez lost their son during childbirth.

    “It was probably the worst moment that I passed through in my life since my father died,” Ronaldo said.

    “When you have a kid you expect that everything will be normal, and you have that problem, it’s hard. As a human being, me and Georgina had quite difficult moments because we didn’t understand why it happened to us.

    “It was difficult, to be honest, it was very difficult to understand what is going on in that period of our life.

    “As you know, the football carries on, it’s so fast, there are so many competitions… and passing through that is probably the most difficult moment that I had in my life, for me and my family, especially Geo. That was tough.”

    Rodriguez gave birth to a baby girl, who is about to turn seven months old, and Portugal captain Ronaldo – who is currently preparing for the World Cup in Qatar – says he did not know how to react at the time.

    “I tried to explain to my family and close friends: ‘I never felt to be so happy and sad in the same moment’,” he added. “It’s hard to explain, so difficult. You don’t know if you [should] cry or smile, because it’s something [where] you don’t know how to react.

    “You don’t know what to do, to be honest.”

    Source: Livescore

  • “I don’t have respect for Ten Hag” – Ronaldo feels ‘betrayed’ by United

    Cristiano Ronaldo says he feels “betrayed” by senior figures at Manchester United and has no respect for the club’s head coach Erik ten Hag after enduring a tumultuous season at Old Trafford.

    Having top-scored for United with 24 goals in all competitions last term, Ronaldo reportedly asked to leave the club following their failure to qualify for the Champions League, and the 37-year-old has fallen out of favour since Ten Hag took charge ahead of this campaign.

    Ronaldo was temporarily exiled from first-team activities last month after refusing to come on as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Tottenham, and has only scored one Premier League goal all season.

    Before travelling to Qatar to represent Portugal at his fifth and likely final World Cup, Ronaldo stated his belief that senior figures at Old Trafford – including Ten Hag – want rid of him.

    Asked whether he felt he was being forced out of Old Trafford, Ronaldo told Piers Morgan uncensored: “Yes, not only by the coach, but by another two or three guys around the club that I felt betrayed me.

    “I shouldn’t say that [they were trying to get rid of me], I don’t know, but yes, I feel betrayed. I felt that some people didn’t want me here not only this year, but last year too.”

    Ten Hag has preferred to hand opportunities to the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Anthony Elanga in United’s attack this season, and has only started Ronaldo in four league games.

    Last month, Ten Hag said he opted against bringing Ronaldo on in a 6-3 defeat to rivals Manchester City “out of respect”, while the Portugal forward was visibly irritated by the Dutchman’s decision to substitute him against Newcastle United two weeks later.

    Asked about his relationship with Ten Hag, Ronaldo added: “I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me.

    “If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never going to have respect for you.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Cristiano Ronaldo has replaced the ‘Siu’ with a new celebration and fans are loving it

    The Manchester United superstar returned to the starting XI after being banished from the first-team for his refusal to come on as a substitute against Tottenham.

    He led the line and found the back of the net nine minutes from time to complete the scoring at Old Trafford.

    Ronaldo scored his side’s third goal after smashing home from close range.

    And as the Portuguese forward wheeled away in celebration, he ditched his trademark sui

    celebration and performed the same gesture he did against Everton.

    He pointed to the stands then stood upright with his head back, eyes closed and fingers crossed in front of his chest.

    Ronaldo produced the same celebration after scoring Man United’s winner against Everton earlier this month.

    Fans online are loving it and think it’s another iconic celebration.

    One Twitter user wrote: “Cristiano Ronaldo might have just invented the second greatest celebration ever… From SIUUUU to ‘inner peace’, I love it.”

    A second tweeted: “This Cristiano Ronaldo celebration is really epic.”

     

    A third added: “Ronaldo has replaced the SIU with this celebration and I love it already.”

    A fourth commented: “I’m loving this new Ronaldo celebration.”

    Another said: “Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebration is cold.”

    Ronaldo’s celebration is a ‘self-deprecating’ nod to the position in which he sleeps when travelling with the squad, which hasn’t gone unnoticed by the rest of the team, hence why Antony joined in on the celebration at Goodison Park.

    On the club’s official website, they explained: “We can now reveal that Ronaldo’s celebration was a self-deprecating in-joke with his fellow team-mates, highlighting the strong bonds among the players in Erik ten Hag’s squad.”

    The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will be hoping to retain his place in the starting XI when Man United resume their Premier League campaign on Sunday against West Ham United.

    Sports bible

  • Is Cristiano Ronaldo’s Signing Really Great for Manchester United?

    In what’s arguably the deal of the summer transfer window, Manchester United sensationally resigned Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus more than a decade after the player first left the club.

    Ronaldo first joined Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon in 2003, and after a slow start to his career at Old Trafford, the Portuguese went on to become one of the club’s greatest ever players.

    Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 appearances for United in his initial six-year stint at the club, winning three Premier League titles, one Champions League, one FA Cup and two League Cup crowns.

    He also won the Ballon D’Or in 2009, the season he left for Real Madrid.

    Ronaldo was great for Manchester United, but it was at Real Madrid where he truly elevated his legend to the point of being considered arguably the greatest players of all-time.

    The Portuguese skipper is never one to rest on his oars, and he took up yet another challenge when he moved to Juventus in 2018.

    His time at Juve was comparatively underwhelming, but that was by Ronaldo’s ridiculous standards. He still pumped in 101 goals in just over three seasons at the club.

    The £12.85 million United paid Juventus to get their man was an absolute bargain, as the Red Devils capitalised on Juve’s desperate financial situation to bring back one of the greatest players of all time.

    If Ronaldo is available for that kind of amount, it’s almost a no-brainer that you should go for him.

    But how does Ronaldo’s return affect United?

    On the surface, it looks like a great signing. 

    Ronaldo brings with him a winning mentality to a club that is keen to rise above the mediocrity of the last few seasons. The Red Devils have got a global football force with an insatiable desire to score goals and win titles.

    Having said that, this isn’t the Ronaldo of 10 years ago. At 36, he is still remarkably super fit, but he is not as productive as he was in his most prolific years.

    He is no longer that pacy wing-wizard that could take the game by the scruff of the neck and single-handedly alter the fortunes of his team.

    These days, Ronaldo has almost exclusively become a goal scorer and relies a lot more on the quality of those around him.

    During his time with Juventus, the Old Lady only made one Champions League quarter final, and crashed out in the Round of 16 in each of his other two full seasons. They also lost their nine-year stranglehold on the Serie A title last season, only managing to scrap into the top four.

    It is true that football is a team game and that Ronaldo can hardly be singularly blamed for Juve’s decline, but the fact that he could not inspire the biggest club in Italy to greater success cannot be ignored.

    Ronaldo will score his fair share of goals for United- that is what he does- but can he really fire Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men to the title?

    Unsurprisingly, with Ronaldo now at Manchester United, the club is getting some more love from bookmakers. Many betting sites around the world, including bookies here in Ghana, expect United to produce a sustained bid for the Premier League title this season.

    Solskjaer has all but confirmed that the great man hasn’t come to Old Trafford to sit on the bench, which means two of younger players- Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial or Marcus Rashford- will have to be sacrificed when everyone is fit.

    If Ronaldo fires United to the Premier League title, no one will be too bothered about that.

    However, should the Red Devils struggle again this season, more questions will be asked about the justification for bringing a 36-year-old Ronaldo back to the club.

  • Kevin-Prince Boateng snubs Ronaldo – rates Messi, Ibrahimovic as the best

    Ghana forward Kevin-Prince Boateng has sparked a huge storm by snubbing Cristiano Ronaldo and claiming that Lionel Messi and Ibrahimovic are the best players in the world.

    The 33-year-old, who plays for Turkish giants Besiktas, has joined the raging debate over who is currently the best player in the world with some tipping Messi while other opt for Ronaldo.

    has cited the two superstars as the best on the planet after sharing the pitch with them at Barcelona and AC Milan respectively.

    He singled out the two players, leaving out Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo in his all-time best players in the world.

    “The strongest? This is tough, after they attack me from all sides. They are both phenomena and each has its own style,” Boateng said.

    “For 10 years Messi has shown that he is the best in the world, I am happy to have played with both of them.”

    Boateng has played for several clubs in Germany, England, Italy, Spain and now Turkey.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com