“Something great and rare”. It is with these words that Sir Alex talks about his protege, Cristiano Ronaldo. It all started in 2002 when the Romanian coach Laszlo Boloni gives him a chance against Moreirense.

But the best compliment comes from the master Eusebio who said “Cristiano has the magic shoes.”

The wonderboy had started on the path to success. Cristiano Ronaldo was born 5 February 1985 in Funchal on the island of Madeira, where he began his classes before moving to the capital and Sporting Lisbon at 14. Little Ronaldo grew rapidly at 16 so he played in the first team where he could finally show all his qualities. Boloni said that Ronaldo was the best player in the world in his age categorybecause of his his pace, technical movement and showmanship. Mourinho also tried to bring him in Porto, but the kid (15 years old at the time) was already too expensive.

The Portuguese coach will not be the only one to share this idea, since in a friendly match against Manchester United, Cristiano displayed all his talents challenging the admiration of players of Sir Alex Ferguson, who will claim the transfer of Lusitanian the winger to the Red Devils.

in a friendly match against Manchester United, Cristiano displayed all his talents challenging the admiration of players of Sir Alex Ferguson, who will claim the transfer of Lusitanian the winger to the Red Devils.

Bought for 18M € by Man Utd, Cristiano takes the legendary No. 7, worn before him by Cantona (voted best player in the history of Manchester) and the idol David Beckham. Upon arrival, Cristiano says “signing for Manchester United is worth nights with the most beautiful actresses,” but then the shirt looks too big for him.

Complicated debut

The young man is ambitious and he is not afraid of anything, but upon arrival, the English defenses deemed rough, will give him a welcome worthy of his talent. Shoulder shots, tackles the limit commitments at all times, Ronaldo worth, but it is still in the learning phase. Despite these challenges, he continues to work hard, it is the first in training and the last party.

He is disciplined to repeat his strikes, his lines and gestures that are now the envy of all Europe. Cristiano was not built in a day and despite his first trophy won in 2004 (FA Cup), Ronaldo goes to the competition organized by his country with a lot of desire and dream to lift the trophy at the 2004 European Championship. But despite his dribbling skills and his talent,  the winger, International since 2003, can not overcome the curse that seems to hang over Portugal (which has not won a major trophy in senior) .

Often eliminated in the semifinals, as in 1966, 1984 or 2000 against France, the Portuguese had conquered the Indian sign. They were even favorites for the final at home against … Greece, who will create a surprise by winning. Disappointed but not defeated, Ronaldo was named best young player of the tournament. The following season, he tried, unsuccessfully, to win the English league, but the emergence of the ogre Chelsea headed by fellow Mourinho was an impassable barrier. Ronaldo and Manchester just got the crumbs and they won the Carling cup in 2006. Worse, in the Champions League, the Portuguese international is still unable to score a single goal and is eliminated by Lille, Benfica and Villareal future semifinalist test.

Suspected of Rape

During this period, Ronaldo will live the best and the worst. The worst thing about this story of rape in October 2005 where he will be heard by the English police. Two young women claim that Cristiano and an accomplice have abused them. In the end, the case will be closed without further action, since women withdraw its complaint. Greed is apparently at the center of this story, as the two women offer their testimony to British tabloids, without success. This shows the growing awareness of the phenomenon, a victim of his “pretty face.” The player was elected twice (2004 and 2006) the sexiest player of the World. A default of securities they attract advertisers and groupies.

The best is the actions that he will lead after the tsunami that hit Southeast Asia West. He will raise funds to help the villagers, even to invite a young Indonesian 11 years at one of his meetings with the Portuguese team.

The revelation of the FIFA World Cup 2006

The selection is just a breath of fresh air in the 2005-2006 season and the World Cup is timely to show his talent. The prodigy will succeed a great tournament, sometimes sparkling like against Iran where he scored his only goal of the World Cup, or face the Netherlands. This will tell Luis Figo “There are things that Ronaldo with a ball which I touch his head, wondering by what miracle he does that.” But his weapon is still the match against England in the quarterfinals. It he is responsible for the expulsion of teammate Wayne Rooney, which will generate a strong animosity on the part of English fans and especially a grudge between the two young stars of United. Cristiano is crucial to the end, since it was he who enroll the penalty qualification of Portugal, but the English fans have come to expect strong feet, ready to punish him for his actions against the idol Rooney.

The semi-final against France could be one of the best moments in the career of Cristiano, but the talented Portuguese winger falls overboard. Too individualistic, too trickster, he does not stop to simulate and fall, causing irritation defenders traffic and public outrage. Ronaldo could make or turn the game on its few keystrokes, but too busy to look for non-existent faults, he will reap a removal without glory. The match for 3rd place against the host nation will be without envy and Portugal will return to the country with his best result in a final phase from the epic 66 and Eusebio.

Magic Ronaldo

For Wenger, Portuguese is “a dancer, who walks on the field from right to left. He can change direction at any time and leave the other side as quickly as it happened. ” A particle accelerator which leaves even stunned his teammates. For which he became the best player in the world dixit Patrice Evra and Rooney his former enemy, who added that Ronaldo has won many games this season by himself.

But the best compliment comes from the master Eusebio who said “Cristiano has the magic shoes.”

To be continued…