Ronaldo driven by "different challenge"

The fear of going stale and desire for a "different challenge" prompted Cristiano Ronaldo to ask Manchester United if he could leave so he could join his boyhood heroes Real Madrid. The Portugal superstar will this month end his six-year association with the Old Trafford club in which he has collected Premier League titles, the Champions League and the FA Cup among a number of personal accolades, including, most recently, the Ballon d'Or and complete a world-record £80m transfer to the Bernabeu.

The 24-year-old's admission confirms the widespread opinion that a deal was struck between the two clubs this time last year when Real launched their one-club crusade to sign the former Sporting Lisbon favourite. It also cements team-mate Zoran Tosic's revelation that the rest of the United players knew Ronaldo was on his way before the Champions League final defeat against Barcelona.

"I want to take advantage of the chance to ask the fans and the people of Manchester United to understand my decision. It's going to be a very big challenge for me," said Ronaldo, with a whiff of remorse.

Sir Alex Ferguson has of course seen bigger characters leave Old Trafford – but the difference this time around is that Ronaldo asked to leave. He too may not have it all his own way next season given that, for all their undoubted attacking prowess, Real remain a creaking gate at the back.

Re-elected president Florentino Perez's ambitious project for Spain's capital club must include a porous defence that was anything but watertight last season. Ferguson, meanwhile, is expected to kick-start his own summer spending spree on his return from his holiday.

Nick Walsh writes features and betting previews for Betfair.

Carlos Tevez leaves Manchester United

Carlos Tevez, who was on loan at Manchester United has decided to leave Old Trafford. This announcement came from the official website of the Champions. After two hugely successful seasons, Carlos Tevez has decided to leave. It is a huge blow for the Red Devils who have already lost Cristiano Ronaldo to Realmadrid. This decision comes as a little surprise to everyone as Carlos had stated that remaining at United was his first priority. And having already confirmed that he wont be joining Liverpool, Tevez is likely to move to Chelsea or to the cross town rivals Manchester City. Now Sir Alex Ferguson has no other go but to dip into the transfer market and land a striker. Tevez became the second choice striker after the signing of Berbatov last season. And he did not start as many matches as he would have liked to but with Ronaldo's departure the chances of Tevez playing a lead role in the United side increased and the club also had offered him a 5 year contract. But Tevez chose to part ways. I'm not hugely disappointed but somewhat as Carlitos scored so many vital goals that won games for United but they club have only themselves to blame as they could have signed him a lot earlier. Thank you Carlos....

Confederations Cup: USA - Brazil goals

Brazil turned on the style against the United States as goals from Felipe Melo, Robinho and Maicon helped ease Brazil past the United States in a largely one-sided Confederations Cup Group B encounter. Kaka was absolutely superb as the men in yellow went about their business in a very professional manner. This display would settle some nerves for coach Dunga who had watched his side conceed three goals against Egypt.

USA 0 - 3 Brazil
6' - Felipe Melo - Watch - Download
20' - Robinho - Watch - Download
62' - Maicon - Watch - Download

Enjoy.....

Cristiano Ronaldo: What Else Can £80m Buy You Today?

Florentino Perez has splashed out £80 million on Cristiano Ronaldo in this period of financial crisis. So what else can you buy with that money now. Check out here.

• Ten 1,235-acre private Greek islands in the sparkling Mediterranean
  
• The entire economy of the country of Tuvalu, five times over, with cash to spare
• Six Rafael van der Vaarts, with change.
• A two-fifths share of Roman Abramovich's yacht, Pelorus.
• 80% of Mike Ashley's Newcastle United shares.
• 657 flights into space with Richard Branson.
  
• 444 Ferrari 599s - the car that Ronaldo crashed in a tunnel. (pic above)
• 761 bottles of a nice 1787 Chateau Lafite, the most expensive wine in the world.
  
• One Velodrome in London for the 2012 Olympic Games (note: final cost may rise. Again.)
  
• 145,985 Category One tickets for the FIFA 2010 World Cup Final in South Africa (although they're sold out).
• 20 replicas of Cristiano Ronaldo's house in Cheshire, near Manchester
  
• Just over half of Lionel Messi's release clause.

What will you do if you had that much money????. Please post them as comments.

Manutd: Cristiano Ronaldo sold to Realmadrid for £80 million

The Cristiano Ronaldo saga is finally over. Manchester United have accepted a world record £80 million (€93 million | $134 million). Right after the Champions league win last season, Ronaldo made it clear that his sights were set on a move to Realmadrid. And after months of news and speculations Ronaldo said he was staying at United. Sir Alex was the reason behind that and also the kind of approach made by the then Realmadrid president Roman Calderon also had a role to play. Calderon was not professional in his pursuit of Ronaldo and it irritated Manchester United who closed the door on the Spanish side. Ronaldo played this season without a smile on his face and it was clear that he was again going to press for a move to Real. And when asked before the Champions League final, he came up the reply "Please don't ask this stupid question. I'm very happy in Manchester and I want to stay". Everyone knew that this was not his intention. And after Florentino Perez became the president of Real, Ronaldo's move looked very much on the cards as Perez has the knack of landing star players. He also wanted to build a bridge between clubs and his method seldom fails. Within weeks after landing Kaka from AC Milan for a world record £62 million, Realmadrid came up with a bid of £80 million for Cristiano Ronaldo. It was an offer that Manchester United could not refuse. And the English champions accepted the bid and announced that all the matters would be finalised by the end of June. I cannot compare the loyalty of Kaka and Ronaldo as Kaka is miles ahead of him. All I want to say to Ronaldo is "Thank you for whatever you have done in a Red shirt". His exit could have been a bit better but with his flirting with Real last season angered a few United fans including me. All I want now is Manchester United reaching the Champions League finals again and beating Realmadrid(if they come that far!!!!) at their own backyard(This year's final is at Santiago Bernebeu). Good bye Ronaldo.

UEFA Champions League 1999-00: Manchester United - Real Madrid

UEFA Champions league has seen some classics over the past few years. Get the quarterfinal match up between Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Click here to download
Part1.rar |Part2.rar | Part3.rar | Part4.rar | Part5.rar | Part6.rar | Part7.rar |

Enjoy...

Champions League: Manchester United goals

Manchester United had a great Champions League in the 2008-09 season. But Barcelona proved a bit too much for the then defending Champions. Nevertheless, they were unbeaten in 25 games leading up to the finals and get all the goals scored by the Red Devils.

Click here for the goals

Part 1 - Download
Part 2 - Download


Enjoy.........

Tennis : Roger Federer wins French Open 2009

Roger Federer finally managed to break his French Open jinx. The Swiss overcame Robin Soderling 6-1 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 at Roland Garros to become the sixth man to complete a career Grand Slam. This win surely makes him the Greatest Player of All time. And it was fitting that the last man to complete a career Grand Slam, Andre Agassi gave him the trophy. Federer was emotional and it was understandable as he had lost here in the finals in the last three years. Roger was the clear favourite going into the match and he had a 100% record (9-0) against Soderling. But Soderling had beaten Nadal on his way to the finals and an upset was also on the cards but Roger broke him in the very first game of the match and raced through the first set 6-1. The second was a bit even and Fedex sealed that in a tie breaker (7-1). In the deciding set Roger closed out at 6-4 after saving a break point. Federer is now level on 14 major titles with Pete Sampras and, at just 27-years-old, appears almost certain to make that record his own in the future. "It might be the greatest victory of my career," said Federer, who can go past Sampras at his favourite Wimbledon. Come on Roger !!!!!!!!!!