Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Real Madrid was a triumphant one.
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Zidane added: “I know I’ve got a great team, a great squad, great players and if we all work a bit more each day I’m sure we’ll have a greater chance of accomplishing all our objectives”.
Robinho, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Julio Baptista made up the South American quartet at Madrid in 2005, but divides worsened due to Helguera, Guti and Raul “not getting on with the Brazilians”. This year, despite of losing some of the most important players like Joao Mario, the team will try to step forward and fight for the title in the Liga Sagres.
No team have retained the Champions League title since the competition was revamped in 1992 but Ronaldo said Real, who have been kings of Europe a record 11 times, are capable of bucking the trend.
“I can talk about my [sons] that have been born and lived their whole lives here”.
Real Madrid will begin the defence of their Champions League crown as they host Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night. “The idea is for him to play 90 minutes”.
Ronaldo, 31, caught wind of those comments, and let’s just say the 2016 UEFA Best Player in Europe was quick to go ahead and dismiss what Xavi had to say, via Goal.com’s Ben Hayward.
“I believe selling Ronaldo [to Manchester United] was a bad business deal both in sporting and financial aspects, I think he was also too young to leave”.
“He’s won every collective trophy, including a World Cup and the European Championship, but he’s never won a Ballon d’Or”. He always wants to play 90 minutes.
Under global football rules, players under 18 can not be transferred to another country, except in limited circumstances, and all transfers need the approval of a special FIFA committee.
While Cristiano Ronaldo may have started his season off with injury and missed games, that does not mean that once he was back in play he was ineffective.
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“I have gained rhythm, scored a goal and got a good feeling. I’m confident we can do it”.
