Primera Division 2008/2009 Thread

[beavis]

"I want to be the best Real player in history"

Cristiano Ronaldo had claimed that he had run out of motivation at Old Trafford after winning everything at Manchester United in his 6 years at the club.

That, at least, was the basis of his gargantuan €94 million move to Real Madrid. And the Portuguese ace can now look forward to a bigger challenge after setting himself what could be an unattainable target.

"My goal is to become one the best players in the club's history… or the best", he told Marca without hesitation during his first interview with the Spanish media.

"When I completed the transfer, I felt relieved. Now I can say that I have fulfilled my dream", he added.

When asked about the weight of expectation that comes with a near €100 million price tag, Ronaldo replied: "Florentino Perez has revolutionised the world of football, but I will prove that I am worth what he paid for me."

"Monday will be the greatest moment of my life."

Finally, he had a message for the Madridistas: "I am not who they say I am in the gossip magazines and sensationalist media."

Ronaldo, who is widely expected to take the No. 9 jersey and complete his transformation to CR9, will be unveiled at Santiago Bernabeu on Monday, 6 July, in a ceremony that could top Kaka's presentation carnival earlier this week.

[beavis]

"We need two more signings"

Real Madrid need to sign 2 more players and off-load about 10 to round off their summer transfer dealings, club president Florentino Perez has said.

The 9-times European champions have already splashed around €215 million on bringing striker Karim Benzema, winger Cristiano Ronaldo, playmaker Kaka and defender Raul Albiol to the Bernabeu.

"Now we need to calm down a little because squads usually have around 25 players and ours now has some 35", Perez told Spanish television station Cuatro.

"We need to concentrate our efforts on convincing some players that they will have to leave. It should not be forgotten there is a World Cup next summer and all our players want to play in it."

"If players aren't going to have the chance to participate here they'll want to do it somewhere else, to be able to make it to the World Cup."

"As to new signings, I think with two more we would have sufficient."

Perez was asked about Real's interest in Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.

"They are both great players but their clubs don't want to sell them, though in the world of football situations can change", he added.

Real have already sold Javier Saviola and the Dutch contingent of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Royston Drenthe and Klaas Jan Huntelaar are all reportedly on the market.

[FanStiintza]

Ronaldo a provocat isterie la aterizarea la Madrid!

Cristiano Ronaldo a ajuns la Madrid. Sosirea celui mai scump jucător din istorie a provocat o adevărată isterie în capitala Spaniei: sute de fani l-au întâmpinat pe fostul star al lui Manchester ca pe un adevărat erou.

Totuşi, adevărata fiesta va fi declanşată abia în această seară, când Ronaldo va fi prezentat pe Bernabeu, în direct la Sport.ro. Peste 600 de jurnalişti au fost acreditaţi la prezentarea jucătorului achiziţionat de la United pentru 93 de milioane de euro. Clubul madrilen speră ca, la evenimentul din această seară, să fie depăşit recordul de afluenţă deţinut până acum de prezentarea argentinianului Diego Maradona la Napoli, unde au asistat 75.000 de spectatori.
Jucătorul portughez Cristiano Ronaldo a efectuat cu succes vizita medicală, fiindu-i remarcate, în special, capacitatea pulmonară şi cea cardiacă, informează AFP.

"Capacitatea sa pulmonară şi cea cardiacă sunt extraordinare", a dezvăluit şeful serviciului medical al clubului Real Madrid, Carlos Diez.

După vizita medicală, Ronaldo urma să semneze contractul valabil pe şase ani cu Real Madrid şi să efectueze o şedinţă foto.

[FanStiintza]

Ronaldo, jucătorul de 1 miliard de euro, a fost prezentat

Transferul de 94 de milioane de euro al lui Cristiano Ronaldo de la Manchester United la Real Madrid şi-a consumat aseară ultimul act – prezentarea oficială a portughezului.

Cel mai scump jucător din istoria fotbalului, căruia deja i s-a stabilit şi o clauză uluitoare de reziliere a contractului în valoare de 1 miliard de euro, a devenit instant idol pe „Santiago Bernabeu”. Ronaldo a fost urmărit pas cu pas ieri de presa iberică şi de fanii Realului, care i-au „monitorizat” toate mişcările...

[beavis]

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[beavis]

Real sell 2.000 Ronaldo shirts in 2 hours

The figures have been coming out thick and fast since Cristiano Ronaldo's presentation but only this morning has it been revealed how many fans decided to snap up shirts with his name on the back.

Initial reports state that in the 2 hours after Ronaldo strutted his stuff around Bernabeu for the first time, Real Madrid sold 2.000 tops with his name and the number 9 on.

AS reports that along with the jerseys bought by the customers, there were also 300 stolen in an hour, most likely due to the sheer number of people in the shop.

The excitement did not die out last night either, with reports claiming that there were queues outside the shop an hour before it was due to open at 10:30.

At first it was announced that only 15 people would be allowed in at once, but that was soon relaxed and the store began to fill with fans eager to get their hands on a Ronaldo top.

The shirt itself costs €85, so Madrid will still have to sell plenty more if they are to regain a sizable chunk of the €96 million that they spent on buying Ronaldo from Manchester United.

[deangel9]

No Man City bid for Puyol



Barcelona have rejected claims that Manchester city have made a bid for club captain Carles Puyol.

City have been aggressive in the transfer market as they try to establish themselves as a credible force in World football.

They have since been linked with moves for Chelsea's John Terry and Bayern's Lucio. It is thought that they will also be considering Puyol should their first-choice bids fail.

However, Barca have rejected suggestions Mark Hughes' side have tabled a bid for Puyol, who has spent his entire career with the Catalan giants.

The European champions have stated no bids have been made for Puyol and that it has not entered the club's thought process that he could be sold this summer.

[FanStiintza]

"Suma plătită de Real pe mine e prea mică! Valorez mai mult!"

Cristiano Ronaldo continuă să surprindă. Dacă pe teren atacantul ne uimeşte de fiecare dată cu soluţiile fantastice pe care le alege, în ultimul timp şi declaraţiile sale au acelaşi efect.

Realul a cheltuit peste 200 de milioane de euro în această vară pentru a redeveni 'Galactic', aproape jumătate din sumă (94 de milioane de euro) fiind 'risipită' pentru aducerea portughezului minune. Într-un interviu acordat ziarului AS, Ronaldo a declarat că suma pe care albii au vărsat-o în conturile lui United pentru transferul său nu este una mare, în comparaţie cu valoarea sa.

"Cred că suma plătită pe mine e prea mică. Valorez mai mult de 94 de milioane de euro", a spus fostul 'diavol' pentru sursa citată.

Lusitanul a discutat apoi despre modul în care Realul îşi va amortiza investiţia şi a ajuns la concluzia că "Banii vor fi recuperaţi imediat". Într-adevăr, chiar dacă pare a fi lipsit de modestie, portughezul nu este departe de adevăr. Chiar dacă se părea că Perez nu a fost chibzuit în momentul în care a decis să cheltuie o aşa sumă pentru transferul unui singur jucător, ultimele previziuni ale specialiştilor au dezvăluit faptul că Real îşi va recupera bani în aproximativ un an de zile.



ce modest e

[deangel9]

Galactico Benzema to be unveiled



Karim Benzema will be officially presented as a Real Madrid player tomorrow at 9pm local time, the club have confirmed.

The France forward will become the third 'Galactico' to be unveiled at the Bernabeu following the spectacular presentations of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Benzema is expected to put the finishing touches to his 35million euro move from Lyon tomorrow before being presented to the fans as the capital club's fourth summer signing, including Spain defender Raul Albiol.

Fans are once again expected to flock to the Bernabeu, although it is unlikely they will do so in such numbers as attended Ronaldo's unveiling on Monday, when more than 90,000 packed out the stadium.

The fee for the 21-year-old could yet rise to 41million euros dependent on performance clauses, taking Madrid's summer spending to well over 200million euros.

Benzema came through the ranks at Lyon and established himself as one of the hottest properties in Europe in the 2007-08 season with 31 goals in 51 games, a streak that saw him named Ligue 1 player of the year as well as topping the league's scoring charts.

The last campaign was less impressive for both club and player, as Lyon ended the season without the Ligue 1 title for the first time in eight years, but Benzema nevertheless scored 23 goals in all competitions - an average of a goal every other game.

[dani3lll]

chiar nu stiu ce au in cap acesti oameni de la real madrid.
ei cred ca se poate castiga orice numai cu jucatori ofensivi si ca asta face totul pt ei !

[beavis]

"I would sign no new players this summer"

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed that if he were to choose then he would not add any new players to Pep Guardiola's treble-winning squad this summer.

The Catalan outfit's supremo was so impressed with the players that helped the club to win the Champions League, Primera title and Copa del Rey last term, he thinks things could stay the same.

"If it was down to me then we would not sign anyone", he told the media at a charity function.

While the Blaugrana have yet to add to their ranks, Laporta did explain that he was certain new players would be signed because the coaching staff wanted them.

"I am super calm about all this and although nobody has yet signed, there will be signings this summer", he added.

Laporta spoke at a meeting of the European Clubs Association where a deal between Barca and UNESCO was signed to promote action against racism and violence.

[deangel9]

Messi: Ron and Kaka? No problem!



Lionel Messi is not at all concerned by the massive signings arch enemies Real Madrid have made this summer.

Messi is the latest member the reining European champions to dismiss fears that the newly-strengthened Madrid side will steamroll all comers next season.

Real have shelled-out almost a quarter-of-a-billion Euros on several massive summer signings, including those of Brazilian playmaker Kaka and 2008 World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I am with Barcelona and I worry only about my team," said Messi.

"We were spectacular last season and we hope that this term, we will be able to do the same, or at least repeat a little of what we achieved."

The 22-year-old Argentinean does nevertheless have his eye on some potential Barca signings which could help further strengthen the current record-setting squad.

"We were surprised by what we did last season but if players such as those that have been mentioned in the press arrive at the club to strengthen the team, it would be even better because it is important to be stronger," he admitted.

"I hope [Javier] Mascherano can come and we can form a solid partnership. His qualities are always appreciated. The same goes for [Cesc] Fabregas. A good footballer like him who can contribute a lot is always welcome."

Like fans all across the world, Messi is relishing the potential battles between himself and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as Barca's key midfielders, Andres Iniesta and Xavi, and Real Madrid's Kaka.

"I can say without doubt that Barcelona are the best team in the world," he boomed. "We have great players and that's why we won the treble.

"Kaka has a lot of quality, but he will have to adapt himself. I can also talk about Iniesta. Training with him is the best.

"But both Cristiano and Kaka are fantastic players who will give Madrid a lot of strength. ‘El Clasico' is going to be unbelievable when it comes time to play, and yes - Barcelona will win again."

[beavis]

Man City set deadline as Eto'o opts to leave Barca

Samuel Eto'o has decided to leave FC Barcelona and will tell coach Pep Guardiola in face-to-face talks, but is hoping to join Manchester United or AC Milan - and not Manchester City, according to a report.

The Cameroonian striker has an offer on the table from City to make him the best paid player in the world and the club are said to have laid down a deadline of this weekend for him to decide.

Manchester City want to know if Eto'o is serious about joining them or if he is holding out to see what else is on offer and will start looking elsewhere if he does not choose, The Sun state.

But the player himself will talk to Guardiola in a bid to delay moving to City as he wants Champions League football after being disappointed by Barca's behaviour, Sport report.

The Catalan daily believe that Eto'o has made up his mind to go after seeing a 2-year offer put forward that would not see him receive any pay rise, despite his performances for the team.

Last term the former Real Mallorca forward was the club's top scorer as they retained the title and he netted his second goal in as many Champions League finals for the Blaugrana.

Although Eto'o is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in Barca's history, Guardiola has not taken to him and wanted to sell him last summer before having a change of heart.

Now the club have struck a deal with David Villa and that means Eto'o knows that this time there will be no way back for him and he must look for a new club.