RETURN OF THE MAGNIFICENT
UNITED LEGEND ‘HAPPY’ BUT IS EXPECTING TOUGH MATCH
Ronaldo is back at Old Trafford and ready to face United:
IN OLD Trafford’s No.7 suite one of its greatest number sevens returned. The walls in the room are adorned by frames of Beckham and Best but it is in the adjacent bar area where super-imposed life-sized photographs of the magnificent sevens stoop over its visitors, their redshirts highlighted against a black and white background.
The image of Cristiano Ronaldo is of him celebrating his last United goal in a derby triumph. Beside him reads the Ryan Giggs quote: “When Ronaldo gets the ball, you can just leave him to it while he beats player after player.”
Ronaldo is flanked by Eric Cantona and United supporters still chant both players’ names.
Depending on which generation of Reds supporters you ask, Cantona is king or God. Ronaldo never attained that Messianic status but he entered what is effectively a shrine to him and his numerical peers.
Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia, Angel di Maria, Memphis Depay and Alexis Sanchez have felt the seven weigh down on their shoulders like a dumbbell, so you can forgive United for celebrating the pre2009 contingent.
Ronaldo has never relished press conferences and skipped two at the World Cup, where he was obliged to conduct pre-match briefings as Portugal’s captain. Fifa have had to settle for inane, post-match chats where Ronaldo answered with the expression of a man who was chewing glass.
This was different. Ronaldo was not in a sulk over Real Madrid’s lack of indulgence or tax authorities targeting him. In light of Der Spiegel’s report into an allegation of rape in Las Vegas in 2009, it beggared belief Ronaldo would attend a press conference. Some refused to believe it until his six-foot-one-inch frame sauntered through the doorframe.
Perhaps we underestimated Ronaldo’s unwavering self-belief. He has vehemently denied the allegations made against him and he visibly savoured walking into a room decorated partly in his honour.
Ronaldo won four European Cups with Real Madrid compared with one at United, yet it is in Manchester, not Madrid, where he is adored.
Ronaldo’s entrance sparked more camera clicks than an A-list film star on Hollywood Boulevard. He was almost as tall as the door marked ‘No.7 At Old Trafford’ as he approached the press conference podium. The Portuguese was fashionably late and the only thing more blinding than the photographers’ light bulbs was the diamondencrusted watch he wore on his left wrist.
Dressed in a navy suit and shirt with no tie, complemented by white trainers, Ronaldo spoke as casually as he was dressed. Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri flanked him and had Ronaldo not departed early Allegri may never have muttered an answer. Ronaldo was chirpy and buoyant and his full beam teeth flashed with every answer.
“I know I am an example,” Ronaldo stressed. “I know, 100 per cent. On the pitch and outside the pitch. So I am always smiling.
“I am happy man, I’m blessed that I play in a fantastic club I have a fantastic family, I have four kids, I am healthy. I have everything. So the rest, it doesn’t interfere on me. I’m very, very well.”
He playfully chided the United press officer Karen Shotbolt as she passed the microphone around the
crammed room. “Come on, Karen!” Ronaldo laughed. He will reunite with other familiar faces tonight.
“Emotional,” he said of his Old Trafford return. “I can remember what it was like when I was at Manchester. I won lots of trophies here, lots of cups, the league, the Champions League. I remember the support as well, the support was fantastic. Sir Alex Ferguson is someone I will never ever forget and I would like to express my best possible wishes to him.
“It’s going to be a tough match. Manchester United are strong, but if we play the way that the coach wants we have a good chance to win the game. However, we can’t underestimate our opponents.”
British journalists raised their hands like dutiful pupils to ask questions but the Juventus press officer chose Italian and Spanish-speakers, as if they were the teachers’ pets. The irony was Ronaldo answered mostly in English. An Italian journalist enquired about ‘the case.’
“I am a happy man,” Ronaldo reiterated. “We did the statement two weeks ago, if I’m not wrong. I am glad, of course, I’m not going to lie in this situation, I’m very happy.
“My lawyers, they are confident and of course I am, too. The most important is I enjoy the football, I enjoy my life. The rest, I have people who take care of my life. Of course, the truth is always coming in the first position. So, I’m good.”
Then he was beckoned to the door. “Ciao, see you tomorrow.” He will have seen himself on the wall.