Monday, 8 December 2008
PARIS — Four months and one European Player of the Year award after his "dream" move to Real Madrid failed to materialize, Cristiano Ronaldo said Sunday he wants to stay with Manchester United and help the English team win more trophies.
Ronaldo, who had been sought by Madrid after this year's European Championship, was in Paris - accompanied by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson - to collect the Golden Ball award from France Football magazine.
"I've been playing for Manchester for five years, I feel at home. There have been prizes won by this club both collectively and individually," the Portugal winger said. "I'm happy at Manchester and want to stay."
Ronaldo joined United in 2003 and last season scored 42 goals to help the club win the Premier League and Champions League titles. Speaking after receiving the award during a television show, the 23-year-old winger made it clear he wanted further success with United.
"I am an ambitious person. I don't want it to stop here," Ronaldo said. "I think we have to keep trying to win trophies, collectively and individually. I am on the right track. I am the Golden Ball winner today, which motivates me even more."
Ronaldo, who beat strikers Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Fernando Torres of Liverpool to the prize, is also looking to make progress as a player.
"It's always special to reach this level, the important thing is to stay there," he said. "The idea is to keep progressing, collectively and individually as well."
Ronaldo was rumoured to be heading to Madrid during Euro 2008, but after a back-and-forth between the Spanish club and United, Ronaldo said in August that he would stay in England.
On Sunday, Ronaldo took time to praise his United teammates for helping him reach the summit of European football.
"Without my team I couldn't have won it, and I have to thank them also," he said.
Ronaldo has not fared as well on the international stage, and is desperate to help Portugal win a major title after losing the Euro 2004 final to Greece, and getting knocked out by France in the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup.
"I want more for the Portugal team, also, which has played well in the last few years but not won a major title at international level," Ronaldo said.
Ferguson, meanwhile, was eager to lavish praise on Ronaldo's achievements, which also made him the first United player to win the Golden Ball since George Best in 1968 - and fourth overall after Denis Law in 1964 and Bobby Charlton in 1966.
"It's a long time since we won one, 40 years ago," Ferguson told Sunday's edition of Telefoot, adding that he feels the best is yet to come from Ronaldo. "Of course, he's only 23. He's only just beginning. When players get to 26 they start to mature."
Ronaldo, who had been sought by Madrid after this year's European Championship, was in Paris - accompanied by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson - to collect the Golden Ball award from France Football magazine.
"I've been playing for Manchester for five years, I feel at home. There have been prizes won by this club both collectively and individually," the Portugal winger said. "I'm happy at Manchester and want to stay."
Ronaldo joined United in 2003 and last season scored 42 goals to help the club win the Premier League and Champions League titles. Speaking after receiving the award during a television show, the 23-year-old winger made it clear he wanted further success with United.
"I am an ambitious person. I don't want it to stop here," Ronaldo said. "I think we have to keep trying to win trophies, collectively and individually. I am on the right track. I am the Golden Ball winner today, which motivates me even more."
Ronaldo, who beat strikers Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Fernando Torres of Liverpool to the prize, is also looking to make progress as a player.
"It's always special to reach this level, the important thing is to stay there," he said. "The idea is to keep progressing, collectively and individually as well."
Ronaldo was rumoured to be heading to Madrid during Euro 2008, but after a back-and-forth between the Spanish club and United, Ronaldo said in August that he would stay in England.
On Sunday, Ronaldo took time to praise his United teammates for helping him reach the summit of European football.
"Without my team I couldn't have won it, and I have to thank them also," he said.
Ronaldo has not fared as well on the international stage, and is desperate to help Portugal win a major title after losing the Euro 2004 final to Greece, and getting knocked out by France in the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup.
"I want more for the Portugal team, also, which has played well in the last few years but not won a major title at international level," Ronaldo said.
Ferguson, meanwhile, was eager to lavish praise on Ronaldo's achievements, which also made him the first United player to win the Golden Ball since George Best in 1968 - and fourth overall after Denis Law in 1964 and Bobby Charlton in 1966.
"It's a long time since we won one, 40 years ago," Ferguson told Sunday's edition of Telefoot, adding that he feels the best is yet to come from Ronaldo. "Of course, he's only 23. He's only just beginning. When players get to 26 they start to mature."
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