Ronaldo Propels United to Victory, Poised for World’s Greatest Sportsman
Sunday, December 23rd, 2007 by Dina Ely
Cristiano Ronaldo once again set Manchester United on the path to victory by scoring the club’s two and only goals in Sunday’s match against Everton. It is Ronaldo’s 16th goal for United this season.
His first goal came in the 22nd minute, but was negated in the 27th by a good header from Everton’s Tim Cahill. As the game progressed a draw seemed likely. However, in the 88th minute a penalty was awarded to United for a foul on veteran Ryan Giggs. Ronaldo took it well and gave United the win.
It has been a recent trend for the the 22 year old, whose fitness, pace, intensity, and accuracy have already made him a European soccer legend. His reputation is hampered only by accusations of dramatics and questionable practices such as stutter-steps. Yet simply considering statistics, he has earned his new deal with United–which could see him with the club until 2012.
Ronaldo scored United’s two winning goals in matches against Fulham earlier this month and against Blackburn in November. His goals also constituted wins for United against Sporting Lisbon and Birmingham in September.
Perhaps not surprisingly, he was nominated for this year’s FIFA World Player of the Year award. He came in third place with Brazil’s Kaka emerging as the winner. But despite the snub United’s assistant manager, Carlos Queiroz, insists it’s only a matter of time before Ronaldo is acknowledged as the world’s greatest sportsman.
In an interview with Sunday Mirror Queiroz said, “During my career, I have worked with some of the world’s finest players like (Zinedine) Zidane, Ronaldo of Brazil, Raul, Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos. Yet, I can honestly say, I have never seen such a football creation like Cristiano Ronaldo.â€
Ronaldo is undoubtedly a contributing factor in Manchester United’s EPL success this season. They are now neck-and-neck with Arsenal, who hold first place with a single point over United. If Ronaldo’s current form remains and United win the league, they will in large part owe a debt to his talents. Queiroz’s prediction that Ronaldo will soon become to soccer what Michael Jordan was to basketball could be well on its way to realization.
Source:
ESPN
Sunday Mirror
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Jake Rutter
This was an awesome game, I turned it on when the game was already tied at 1-1. The penalty kick was awesome, I pretty much knew that was going to be the end of it!