Ron feeling so at home again
Calm Cristiano smiles despite controversy
FOR a man who is facing allegations of rape, Cristiano Ronaldo was in surprisingly relaxed mood yesterday.
The superstar not only passed up the opportunity to swerve the invitation to appear at Juventus’ pre-match press conference but he was prepared for the inevitable questions about the explosive claims of American Kathryn Mayorga about their encounter in a Las Vegas hotel room in the summer of 2009.
Always supremely image conscious, Ronaldo was dressed in a smart suit with an expensive diamond-encrusted watch and was all flashing white smiles as he sat next to Juventus manager Max Allegri to face the media on his return to Old Trafford.
If he wanted to convince people of his innocence, his off-the-field performance was as impressive as many of his on-pitch displays over the past 15 years that have propelled him to the status of one of football’s greatest-ever players.
Speaking for the first time in person about the controversy, he insisted the “truth will come first” and is confident his lawyers will clear his name if police press charges and it goes to court.
And though the allegations have caused concerns for some of his blue-chip sponsors – such as Nike – he has certainly not let it affect his performances.
At the weekend, his fifth goal for Juve against Genoa made him the first player to chalk up 400 goals in Europe’s top five leagues and he made it clear yesterday he is totally focused on what will be an emotional return to his former club.
He has been back once before and ruined Sir Alex Ferguson’s hopes of Champions League success in his final season as United manager, scoring for Real Madrid in both legs of their last-16 tie, including the winner in the second leg in the stadium where he made his name.
And he made sure he referenced the debt he owes Ferguson – recovering well from a brain haemorrhage – who took him from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 and launched him on to the world stage.
“Sir Alex – I will never forget him,” he said. “He was a huge lift in my career and I express best wishes to him. When I knew we were to play Manchester United, it was huge for me. It is a huge thing to come back. I have happy memories of what it was like in Manchester. I remember my history here – I won lots of trophies, the Premier League, the Champions League and I remember the support of the fans.”
But Ronaldo is a serial winner rather than a sentimentalist and he warned United he wants Juve to repeat what Real did to them five years ago. “Manchester are a good team, they are playing at home, so it will be tough for us,” he said.
“We have our weapons – we are Juve. We know it will be tough but we have a good chance to win if we play in a good way, the way the coach wants.
“We have to respect Manchester United – they are a fantastic team, with an experienced coach – but I expect and look forward that Juve will win the game. If I score I won’t celebrate – it will be the same as last time I came with Real.”
His stunning overhead kick goal for Real Madrid against Juventus may have been voted Champions League goal of the year but, surprisingly, Mo Salah got the FIFA award for his solo effort in the Merseyside derby.
Given the amount of trophies and individual awards he has won, Ronaldo, 33, will not be losing any sleep over that one.
Diplomatically, he said: “I think this is not the most important thing. I’m not obsessed with individual awards. “I have to focus on Juve. The last two months have been amazing. I enjoy playing there a lot. Everything has gone well, the team are fantastic. Awards do not mean everything for me. It’s nice but not an obsession. I have won many trophies, so no problem.”
The Portuguese is facing some legal uncertainties off the pitch, but one thing he can be sure of is a rapturous reception from the fans who saw him develop from gifted but raw teenager into a five-time Ballon D’Or winner.
It is strange to recall that he went 26 appearances for United before he broke his scoring duck in the Champions League competition, more than three years after moving to Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon.
In the ensuring 128 games he has found the net an incredible 120 times. No one will be surprised if he adds to that tally tonight at what he still considers his spiritual home.