Cristiano Ronaldo: "I never get tired of winning" "I’m willing to leave a mark at Real Madrid"

www.realmadrid.com / Translation by Manuel Arcedillo

Cristiano Ronaldo talked in an interview to El Pais Semanal about the pressure he’s gone through since he was a child and about his new era at Real Madrid.

“When I was eleven I moved on my own to Lisbon. I cried every day, but I liked the experience. I learned a lot, especially about living under pressure.”

“I’ve always had my feet on the ground. I’m a normal guy who does unusual things, that’s all. I always try to leave a good impression. I do it especially for kids because it’s important that they grow up with good role models. The people who live with me know I’m an honest man. I’m not two-faced.”

“I’m at a great club and I’m going to prove to myself, my family, the ones who love me and the people who signed me that I’m worth it. I’ve been taking huge responsibilities since I was very young. It was difficult at the beginning but I felt glad that people trusted me so much. It gave me strength.”

“I’m willing to leave a good mark at Real Madrid. I don’t get tired of winning, and if victories come playing good football, all the better. We have a solid squad and a great coach, so we have everything we need to succeed.”

Real Madrid Training

Cristiano's best cicerones

Heinze, Van Nistelrooy and Pepe have already played alongside Ronaldo

Alberto Navarro / Translation by www.realmadrid.com

Cristiano Ronaldo may leave Manchester to play in Spain. The adjustment to his new team shouldn't be that hard having already shared a dressing room with Pepe, Van Nistelrooy and Heinze.

Van Nistelrooy:
"Good players are always welcome. Cristiano is fantastic."

"He is very young, but he has a lot of experience after playing in the World Cup, Euro, Champions League and English competitions. He is strong both physically and technically. He's got it all."

Heinze:
"We are very good friends. We connected well when we both played at Manchester."

"He is very intelligent and an outstanding football player."

Pepe:
"I think having Cristiano on your side is always the best option. He likes Real Madrid and has always dreamed about playing here, and he likes the city."

"Cristiano is a first-class player. He is the whole package and solid at set-pieces. He can determine the outcome of a match in a matter of seconds."

Scoring is a way of life

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 150 goals in seven years, an average of 21.5 per season

www.realmadrid.com

Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the most well-rounded player in football today. He's got the speed, dribbling skills, the ability to use both feet, an aerial attack, leadership skills, crossing ability, and the list goes on... There is little wonder why Ronaldo has scored 150 goals in the seven years he has played top flight football.

Cristiano Ronaldo's debut in the Portuguese Super League couldn't have started any other way. The first time he suited up with the first team against Moreirense resulted in two superb goals. The first after he recovered the ball in the midfield, dribbled past one defender after another and beat the goalkeeper with a beautiful lob. For the second he displayed his aerial prowess so characteristic of the way he plays.

Additionally, Cristiano is a specialist at capitalizing on set-peices. He improved in this aspect while in England, where his first -against Portsmouth- and last -against Manchester City- goals were free kicks.

A hat-trick against Newcastle in January of last year and a total of 29 braces are the proof of the pudding of the Portuguese's voracity on opponent's goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo is also well-rounded with his national team, for whom he has scored 22 goals. In total, the star from Madeira has scored 150 goals, 93 of which were with his right foot, 27 with his left and 30 with his head. What's great is that he is only 24-years old and has plenty of room for improvement. If his possible signing for Real Madrid finally takes place, the Santiago Bernabeu will enjoy watching the total package.

A packed Bernabeu gave the new Madridista a very warm welcome Presentation of Cristiano Ronaldo

www.realmadrid.com / Juan Jose Lopez Soto / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

Never in the history of any football club had the presentation of a player been so anticipated. Today, over 80,000 fans gathered at the Bernabeu to greet Ronaldo as a Madridista.

A stage was set on the north side of the pitch, with trophies and pictures of legendary Real Madrid players surrounding it. The first to take it were President Florentino Perez, Honorary President Alfredo di Stefano and guest of honour and legendary Portuguese player Eusebio.

A spectacular video montage of Ronaldo's best plays and goals was shown just before the act began, and it was followed by another paying tribute to great Madridistas of recent times like Beckham, Raul, Casillas, Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Guti, Robinho...

Florentino Perez
"Thank you all for being here. You represent the greatest symbol of Madridismo, which is the passion the Club Members and fans all around the world feel for this team. You are essential in making this the most admired and respected club in the world. What's happening tonight has no precedent and your massive attendance represents the essence of this Real Madrid. Thank you for being the stars in this unstoppable showcasing of strength, excitement and vision."

"There are Portuguese fans here with us today to help us greet one of their own into this house. It is an honour for us to have here one of the best players of all times and a symbol of the best Portuguese football in history: the legendary Eusebio."

"You must all be aware that here, on this stage, we have two friends that happen to be two of the best players in history: Eusebio and Di Stefano. Very few are privileged enough to reach greatness and we are greeting one of those people today. Real Madrid welcomes one of the chosen ones capable of making the dreams of football fans throughout the world come true. Today we welcome Cristiano Ronaldo."

At that moment, the player came out from the dressing room amidst cheers of "Si, si, si. Ronaldo en el Madrid." (Yes, yes, yes, Ronaldo at Real Madrid).

As soon as Cristiano reached the stage, the President finished off his speech. "Dear cristiano Ronaldo. This is your crowd now. It is the same crowd that put Real Madrid at the height of world football. Your talent has allowed you to see one of your dreams come true. We are very satisfied with knowing you wanted to play for Real Madrid. Football for you is a blessing and you are aware of the fact that the priority here is the success of the team as a whole. Cristiano, welcome to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Welcome to the place where our legend was born. Welcome to Real Madrid."

Cristiano Ronaldo
"I am very happy about being here. This is a dream come true; as a child I dreamt of playing for Real Madrid. I didn't expect the stadium to be packed. This is unbelievable. Thank you all. Hala Madrid!"

Following these brief words, Ronaldo got close to the stands and greeted many supporters.

First glimpse of the Bernabeu

Cristiano Ronaldo visited the stadium offices hours before his presentation

www.realmadrid.com

Cristiano Ronaldo is now familiar with the Santiago Bernabeu. The player arrived shortly after 14:00 and had a quick tour of the inner confines including a stop at the Presidential Balcony.

After being given the green light at Sanitas La Moraleja Hospital, Cristiano Ronaldo was driven to the Santiago Bernabeu where he was welcomed by Jorge Valdano.

The Director General and Presidential Aide gave the player a bried tour of the stadium and took several minutes to overlook his new pitch from the Presidential Balcony. The two later made their way to Puerta 57 restaurant, where Ronaldo could look out the window to see the sight of where he hopes to have many magical nights of football.

As many as 80,000 fans may attend Cristiano Ronaldo's presentation Possible new record

www.realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

Maradona, Kaka, Ronaldinho and Beckham are some of the players who were greeted by thousands of fans when they arrived to new teams. More than 55,000 people attended Kaka's presentation at the Bernabeu last week and all eyes are now on Cristiano Ronaldo, whose unveiling could break every existing record with the attendance of 80,000 supporters. It would be the most popular presentation since Maradona's at Napoli.

Diego Armando Maradona signed for Napoli in 1984 after a stint at Barcelona. His arrival in the Italian city was highly anticipated and 75,000 fans greeted him at the stadium despite having to pay for tickets to attend the presentation. There were more than 300 accredited journalisrs and RAI televised the event after paying $30,000 for the rights.

Cristiano Ronaldo's presentation could prove even more popular. More than 55,000 supporters greeted Kaka at the Bernabeu last week; his presentation being more popular than Ronaldinho's at Barcelona (20,000 fans) and Milan (40,000).

Thirty thousand Barcelona supporters gathered at Camp Nou for the presentation of Henry, and David Beckham's arrival at LA Galaxy met with the fervent support of 8,000 fans; quite a record in a country in which football is yet to become a popular sport -there were more accredited journalists there than at the Superbowl-.

Madridistas will start taking the Bernabeu this evening at 19:00 CET to greet their new idol and may well pack the stadium. Cristiano Ronaldo's presentation could make history by breaking every existing record.

The perfect strike

www.realmadrid.com analyzes Cristiano Ronaldo's method of taking free kicks

Carlos Cristobal / Translation by realmadrid.com

Cristiano Ronaldo has a multitude of strong suits on the field of play, and one of them is without a doubt his ability to take free kicks. Ronaldo has mastered the art of the set piece and has scored many important goals. Realmadrid.com has decided to analzye the steps taken by the Portuguese as he prepares for a laser-guided free kick.

STEP 1: PRIOR TO SHOOTING
Cristiano always follows the same routine before winding up for a shot. First, he meticulously places the ball on the turf with the air in the exact spot where he will strike it with his foot. This provides more power and makes it easier to put any curving effect on the ball. Once satisfied with the placement, Cristiano prepares the run-up to the ball. He measures between four and six long steps and takes a stance with legs wide apart. Always slightly left of the ball, the new Madridista concentrates on the shot.

STEP 2: RUN-UP & STRIKE
The first few steps taken by Ronaldo are short strides on the tips of his toes, much in the same way Roberto Carlos takes free kicks. What differentiates the two however is that once the Portuguese is in full stride, the actual run-up is shorter and at a curve towards the right rather than straight like the Brazilian.

Cristiano's last stride is the longest. His left support foot will be several centimeters behind the ball. At that very moment, his entire body is angled back with his support leg fully extended and the right beginning to pull the trigger. During the follow through, Ronaldo's body moves forward to keep the ball from sailing too high. His maintains his balance with his left arm, while the right moves to add power to the shot. The right foot strikes the ball on the lower left section of the ball. He doesn't make contact with either the exterior or interior of his boot. It's a clean strike with the instep, which puts even more power beihnd the ball.

STEP 3: BALL TRAJECTORY
The run-up to the right and the strike with the left foot on the left side of the ball. The result is a parabola that is hard to describe with words. While the ball rises, it first tends to carry left. But all of a sudden its trajectory changes. The lateral movement ends and the ball moves away from the goalkeepe and sinks, making it virtually impossible of saving.