That said, let’s check out some of the more recent Ronaldo news. Besides the usual Madrid speculation of course…

El Nino’s two cents.

A new house in Spain?

Ronaldo looks like he’s enjoying his vacation

And lastly…

I might be reading too much into this, but if you had or planned on having the world’s greatest footballer on your team next year, wouldn’t you want him repping your hideous new kit?

Back to unpacking…

Just about every football news source is running the story in one form or another but we’ll go with Soccernet.

“

Terra claim to have carried out an exclusive interview with the Portugal international in which he said: ‘I would like to play for Real Madrid but only if it is true they are ready to pay what Manchester United ask of them.

‘However, it does not depend on me.’

The interview continued with Ronaldo stating his hope that the announcement would bring closure to the speculation linking him with a possible move to the Bernabeu.

He added: ‘From today I’m not going to talk about this topic with anyone at all.

‘I’ll only talk about this again after the European Championships. Don’t ask me any questions because I won’t answer.’

”
Sir Alex Ferguson had planned on visiting Portugal’s Euro 2008 training ground to convince Ronaldo to stay, but apparently Red Jesus ended that before it could begin.

“

Cristiano Ronaldo’s faltering relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson appeared to deteriorate further yesterday when the Portugal winger effectively banned the Manchester United manager from visiting their European Championship training camp. In an embarrassing snub, Ronaldo has told team-mates that Ferguson is not welcome in Switzerland, bringing a premature end to proposals for peace talks that surfaced in the light of his continued flirtation with Real Madrid.

Ferguson had reservations about travelling to the university town of Neuchâtel in any case, with the United manager reluctant to show his concern at Real’s interest and uneasy about intruding into the sphere of Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Portugal coach, but Ronaldo’s stance has brought an end to the matter.

The 23-year-old’s intransigence springs from anger at Ferguson’s comments last weekend that the Glazer family would rather see him sit in the stands than sell him to Real, which he believes were disrespectful. Ronaldo is understood to be furious at this perceived slight, but Ferguson was merely responding to the player’s frequent expressions of admiration for Real.

”
If Ferguson isn’t angry enough about all of this, ex United/current Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy gave his 2 cents about all this drama.

“

He’d be an important signing for Madrid because this is a club which signs the best players in the world, and that’s what Cristiano is,” Van Nistelrooy said. “Cristiano could bring a lot of things to this club. He’s young and has everything. For Madrid he would be a great signing.

”

This just keeps getting better and better.

via ESPN Soccernet:
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will make an announcement on his future plans in the next ‘two to three days’.

Ronaldo has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid in recent weeks although United are determined to hold on to their prize asset and have even threatened to report the Spanish champions to FIFA over what they claim are attempts to unsettle him.

The 23-year-old is hoping an announcement will end the speculation.

Speaking after Portugal’s 2-0 win over Georgia, Ronaldo told A Bola: ‘Let’s see, I hope there will be news soon. In two to three days I will announce my decision.’

If he decides his future lies away from Old Trafford, Ronaldo would have a fight on his hands to secure a transfer to the Bernabeu.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson on Sunday claimed the Glazer family, the club’s owners, would rather keep the player even if a hypothetical situation arose where he refused to play for the Red Devils.

The Scot said: ‘I’ve had a couple of meetings with the Glazers.

‘Their attitude is, ‘to hell with them’. They’d sit a player in the stand, I’m telling you, absolutely no doubt about it, just to prove a point. Not to give in to these people.

‘They’ve got balls, I can tell you. I’ve been delighted with them in that respect.’

The Glazers took over United in an £800million deal in the summer of 2005. Their arrival caused huge ructions among fans due to the debt they placed on the club.

Ferguson, however, has been delighted with the support of the Americans since their regime began.

‘They’ve been good to this club, believe me,’ he added. ‘They have been brilliant owners.’

‘We’ve spoken a lot, as for him I’m more than an older friend, and I’ve given him some advice.

‘For me football is not about memories but chances, which sometimes don’t present themselves again.

‘Regardless of the decision he makes about his future we’re here to support him.’

Via Soccernet.

When she’s not busy being a wild animal in bed (NSFW-ish) or telling everyone she’s going to be Mrs. Ronaldo via MSN chats, Nereida Gallardo apparently also likes to host impromptu photoshoots in public restrooms. From The Sun:

A source close to Spanish model Nereida said: “She was playing along for the camera — but I’m sure she’d be happy to re-create the scenes for Cristiano.

“She’d probably let him watch. That’s the sort of great party girl she is.

“She turns heads wherever she goes — she oozes sexuality.”

Nereida, who pals reckon could become Mrs Ronaldo, has been pictured topless several times but these are her hottest snaps to date.

Ronaldo, 23, met her in Palma four months ago and the pair have become inseparable.

She is often at his £4million home in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, and the Portuguese hot-shot now blows her kisses in the stands whenever he scores.

The source added: “Ronnie is renowned for blowing kisses. Maybe this is her way of returning the compliment.

“Nereida is Ronnie’s first serious girlfriend since he came to England. You’ve got to say he’s a very lucky fella — she’s top drawer.”

Uncensored shots and full story here (NSFW)

And just to keep it fair, ladies (and avid reader Bob) can check out Ronaldo training for Euro 2008 with Portugal.

Ronaldo accepts the “Best Portuguese Athlete Playing Outside Portugal” award last night.

Yesterday Ramon Calderon seemed to admit defeat in his quest to buy Ronaldo, but the ever optimistic Marca went ahead and published an interview with Ronaldo’s Godfather Fernao Sousa just to keep things interesting. Sousa has played a big part in Cristiano’s footballing career before, advising his moves to both Sporting Lisbon and Manchester United.

The godfather encouraged the 23-year-old to move to Old Trafford and has now claimed that Ronaldo wants to move to El Santiago Bernabeu and will make it public in July.

“Cristiano must take advantage of this opportunity to go to Real Madrid,” Sousa said.

“I think that he has decided he will go to Real Madrid, but he will not say it until the European Championship is over.

“Cristiano Ronaldo’s top objective is to win everything, it is what he wants the most, especially the Champions League and then going as far as possible with Portugal during Euro 2008.”

Again though, Marca, so it’s always taken with a grain of salt…

One person needs to rethink their profession. The other needs to look into laser removal.

I mean jesus, his face looks like the kid from System Of A Down’s “Aerials” video.

Robinho, Mamahamadoumahdou or whatever, and cash? Sounds good, they’re probably leaving Real anyways.

Ramos on the other hand, besides being one of my favorite players, is one of those players I can’t picture leaving their current team. He IS Real Madrid. Like Totti and Roma, Gerrard and Liverpool, Henry and Arse- …nvm. If Madrid have to include Sergio in a deal, then I’d just prefer everyone stay where they are for the moment.

He also mentioned Red Jesus in an interview today:

“It wouldn’t be bad, I think everybody would love to have such a player. Right now he’s the best in the world, and he’d always be welcome in our team.”

Ronaldo, as usual, spent his day frustrating everyone again with claims of “I dream of playing for Real Madrid” and “My head is in Manchester.” Just come out with it and say “I want a new contract or I go to Madrid.” Problem solved.

Of course it’s just Marca so it’s completely untrue and unfounded but I can dream right?

…Oh, and never Google image “Sergio Ramos” without knowing what you’re getting into.