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Messi vs. Ronaldo | Comparison Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

April 9, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Analysis:
Saturday the 10th of April 2010 the big clash in the Spanish League between eternal rivals will take place in the Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. Though the match will be 11 against 11 as is customary in football the pre-match focus is primarily centered upon just two players: Messi and Ronaldo. Lionel and Cristiano.
Below we will look at their respective stats for the season 2009/10 in the Spanish League. The stats related exclusively to Spanish league matches and thus exclude their performances in the Spanish Cup and the Champions League (and in the case of FC Barcelona their other matches as reigning champs of the Uefa Champions League).

MessiRonaldo
Matches played:2721
In the starting lineup:2320
Coming of the bench:41
Goals:2618
Right foot:413
Left foot:193
Header:32
Other:00
Goal pr. match:0.960.85
Scoring percentage:21%12%
Shot attempts: 124152
Right foot:16104
Left foot:9730
Header:1117
Other:25
Cards:25
Yellow:23
Direct red:01
Double yellow:01
Off side:817
Assist: 93
Ball losses: 235227
Ball wins:4216

…………….
As can be seen from the table above both players make significant contributions to the overall production of their teams. However, since football is a team sport and 11 players are on the field for each side it can be difficult to analyse individual stats out of context.
Cristiano has more shots on goal than Messi. But Messi has scored more goals than Ronaldo thus having a far higher accuracy. But is that due to the fact that Real Madrid is playing a more direct way with more shots on goal as a team than FC Barcelona ? Which on the other hand might rely on playing the ball through for better but fewer chances .. Or is Messi simply better in front of goal than Ronaldo.
Messi has more assists than Ronaldo but again is that due to the way of playing of the team or is he better to spot his fellow team mates for open chances or are the surrounding Barca players better than the team mates of Cristiano when it comes to finishing in front of goal ?
The individual stats do not answer such questions which would either require additional stats or are simply unanswerable due to the way that football works. Being primarily a team sport where individual stats might not be bringing as much evidence about a player’s performance than in other sports such as basketball.

The data is taken from the Spanish sportspaper Marca:
Marca stats Cristiano
Marca stats Messi

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Filed Under: CR7, FC Barcelona Tagged With: CR7, CR9, Messi, Messi stats, Ronaldo stats

Two Real Madrid players among the nominees for FIFA World Player of the year

December 8, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

News:
The 5 nominees for FIFA world player of the year 2009 have been revealed. The nominees are: Messi, Xavi, Iniesta (FC Barcelona) – Kaka’ and Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid).
The award will take place on the 21st of December.
Besides the individual honors there will also be a team of the year selected among 55 players.
From Spain and Real Madrid those are: Xabi Alonso (formerly Liverpool), Iker Casillas y Sergio Ramos.
From Brazil and Real Madrid: Kaka’ (formerly AC Milan)
From France and Real Madrid Karim Benzema (formerly Lyon)
From Portugal and Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo (formerly Manchester United) and Pepe
FC Barcelona has the most players in pool not surprisingly given their fine performance during the season 2008/09 winning the treble (League , Cup + Champions League). An achievement never accomplished before by a Spanish side.

The new signings for Real Madrid who played elsewhere during the season 08/09 are probably selected due to their performance with their former club rather than due to their accomplishments with Real Madrid.
The problem with the award is that it runs square to the football season since it follows the calendar year and the football season goes from summer to summer. Since most awards in football as is the case elsewhere also are heavily shewed towards the winners what the award really reflects is the season 08/09 though in principal the award is given for the performance throughout the calendar year 2009.
But surely while the spring of 2009 will weigh heavily the fall of 2009 will not since no titles have been awarded and the season is still underway. The “best” players are usually those on the winning sides and since nobody has won anything yet for the season 2009/10 the emphasis will surely be on the spring of 2009 and possibly the fall of 2008.

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Filed Under: Press, Real Madrid Tagged With: CR7, FIFA World Player of the year, Kaka, Real Madrid players FIFA world player of the year

Cristiano Ronaldo book – Page 24 – advertisements

November 27, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Extract:
The content below is taken from Ronaldo’s autobiography moments. The extract is from page 24 where he comments upon advertisements.

My affection for advertisements.
Football is my absolute priority. But I do recognize that I like very much to make advertisements.
However, there is a maxim which I always comply with: I need to be able to identify myself with the product.
For that reason the process of selecting advertising campaigns is very detailed because it is not my primary occupation like I always say. It is a consequence of my qualities as a football player of my prestige within this sport by representing the Portuguese national team and obviously for having played for Manchester United. At this point I have to mention in order to be fair the person who has been the pillar of all my marketing and advertising campaigns throughout my career: Luis Correia. He is in charge of the entire process including the selection of the products as well as remembering all the details. He has always been the main figure hiding behind the company Gestifute owned by Jorge Mendes which is my publicity agency. He is very honest in whatever he does, very professional , and hard working. He knows what has to be done and he has some very precise opinions.

Momentos Cristiano Ronaldo Spanish edition

Momentos Cristiano Ronaldo Spanish edition

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Filed Under: CR7 Tagged With: CR7, CR7, CR9, Ronaldo, Ronaldo advertising

CR9 interview part III

October 12, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Interview | Press:
Cristiano Ronaldo interview with the Spanish daily el Pais brought on the 30th of August 2009.

This is the 3rd part of the interview – the 2 first parts were brought on earlier occasions.

Question: Going through your biography as a footballer it is interesting to observe that everything which has happened so far has been on a grand scale. Let’s see: when you were a kid the two biggest clubs in Madeira Nacional and Maritimo fought over you, your debut for Sporting Lisbon was no more or no less in the Champions League and against Inter Milan, your debut with the national team was in a match against Kazhakstan coming off the bench as a substitute replacing no other than Luis Figo. Manchester Unitd paid 18 million Euros for you in order for you to replace the grand icon David Beckham when he went to Real Madrid…
Answer: It has always come across me to take upon myself great responsibilities already from a very early age. It was difficult but it gave me great joy that the persons around me had so much confidence in me. This has given me great strength. My life has always been a challenge. I always prepare myself for winning , I am a winner , I love to win and I will continue like that. No matter where I play I want to win.
Question: One does pay attention to this because as well on as off the field you are having a individualistic attitude. Maybe because since being very young you have had to face great challenges all by yourself.
Answer: Now I do not see myself being that individualistic the truth is that I do not see myself like that at all. When I was younger yes because I had to take a lot of decisions and some were good and others were bad. Now I am older and more mature and after having won so many things with the team and individual awards I have a better perspective in order to play better, in order to make any kind of decision. But well I am not perfect and I have many things still to learn and of course I am always learning. I have to know when to make the right pass when I touch the ball…
Question: Do you like to joggle with the ball when you are alone – practice your skills – including when you are at your living room at home ?
Answer: I like it , I like it. When we finish a training session or in the gym I like to have someone with whom to practice tricks with the ball. Here in Madrid like in Manchester some of the players like to do this. And at home , well my nephews do not like football …
Question: What do you say ??
Answer: Yes , yes I do know that it sounds strange but my nephews do not like football. And I do not know why. Well, not everyone can be a footballer. So at home I play with myself.
Question: You just touched upon the subject of the gym. I do not quite understand your obsession with lifting weights and to build this sculpture of a body. Do you do it for esthetical reasons or is it really necessary in order to play football today when it was not really that crucial for many former great players ?
Answer: It is not true that it is an obsession that I have. When I was younger yes but not anymore. With the calendar that we have I do not have much time for going to the gym either. And of course it is necessary in order to play football but also for your self esteem in order to be more satisfied with oneself. In football there are many contacts and it is about being prepared.
Question: When did you have the feeling that finally you were going to sign for Real Madrid.
Answer: I did not know that it was going to happen until not long ago. Just over a month before when it finally happened. In Manchester there was a lot of talk about it but nothing more.
Question: It is for sure that you had made a pre-accord with Ramon Calderon the former Real Madrid President ?
Answer: No, that is not true.
Question: No ?
Answer: No!
Question: Florentino Perez apart from the money of course did he use any other means in the seduction ?
Answer: He is a very intelligent person. In order to be able to change so many things around here one has to be very intelligent. We have to give his credit for all what he has done.
Question: Did he make you sign something in a tissue like it happened in its’ day with Zidane ?
Answer: I do not remember very well. He gave me two presents.
Question: Would it be possible to get to know what these two presents were ?
Answer: a watch and a replica of the Cibeles fountain.
Question: Before or after you signed ?
Answer: After .. But he has still not given them back to me.
Question: I am not quite sure that I understand …
Answer: It was before my presentation in the Bernabeu. He told me: This is for you. When the presentation was over he forgot to give them to me. I do intend to reclaim though – hehehe.
Question: While we talk about football what kind of play do you like ?
Answer: I like to win , win , win. If you can win playing an attractive style of football even better. We have a great team and a great coach in that way we have all the ingredients in order to win and play attractive football.
Question: Do you watch a lot of football ?
Answer: A bit.
Question: Which teams have you admired recently for their way of playing ?
Answer: many.
Question: Barca for instance ?
Answer: El Barca plays very well, Atletico , Valencia. In Spain the teams play very well. In the Premier League the teams are more competitive and the physical game is more present while in Spain the play with the ball is the predominant way of play. At the end of the season it might leave you with a bit more energy.
Question: Have you been surprised by any of your new team mates who you did not know about before coming here?
Answer: I knew pretty much all of the players at least a little bit. What I have encountered is that there is a lot of quality in the team which is great for me in order to continue to learn and to win titles.
Question: To whom would you give the Golden Ball (best player in the world).
Answer: I do not know. It is a question which … I have many friends and if I mention one player another one is going to be insulted. They know very well whom I would give it to.
Question: To a certain Messi , winner of the treble maybe ..
Answer: Well, why not … it is possible.
Question: In the Champions League final in Rome against FC Barcelona you seemed very annoyed.
Answer: Because we lost. I have already told you that I hate losing and even less so a Champions League final. It is normal that I get angry over such a thing.
Question: How did your relation with Alex Ferguson end ?
Answer: Well, very well. He has been a spectacular person for me who has helped me a lot and whom I will carry with me at the heart forever.
Question: Do you know how many results google serves up if one searches for your name ?
Answer: no, no idea.
Question: 20 million 800 thousand.
Answer: A lot!
Question: Take it easy – Barack Obama has 81 million.
Answer: But that is Obama! Well, I am not that far off. But tell me – who is the footballer with most references in google ?
Question: Beckham I guess.
Answer: and who else ?
Question: I do not know I have not checked the numbers for other players.
Answer: Well, 20 million is not bad. It gives me a lot of motivation that people are interested in me.

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Cristiano Ronaldo interview Part II

October 9, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Press:
Second part of the Cristiano Ronaldo interview published in the Spanish daily El Pais at the outset of the Spanish season 2009/10.

Cristiano Ronaldo profile photo CR9

Cristiano Ronaldo profile photo CR9

Question: And you were pre-destined to become a politician from what I have understood your surname stems from your father’s devotion to Ronald Reagan. Who were going to tell your father that the name Ronaldo would become renowned through a Brazilian footballer!
Answer: Yes, yes, yes they did give me that name because of Reagan but it was more due to my mom than to my dad. They did not know at the time that a such Ronaldo would be born in Brazil. Look as late as yesterday we were talking about just that at home. But I like my name very much. It is very beautiful.
Question: Have your ever been interested in the history of that president in order to find out why your mother was so devoted to him?
Answer: To be honest with you, no. I know very well who he was but it just my name nothing more.
Question: Your childhood was so difficult as have been mentioned in some of your biographies.
Answer: It was difficult but I never missed anything. My dad and my mom worked a lot in order to make sure that the we their children never missed anything. But it was not easy for me to move to Lisbon when I was 11 years old. It was not easy to move away from Madeira and to go to live alone in a city like Lisbon. I was crying every day but I liked the experience. I learned a lot most of all to live with the pressure.
Question: And now you do not cry ?
Answer: yes , yes , I still cry from time to time. Sometimes of joy sometimes of sorrow when we lose…
Question: And of something unrelated to football ?
Answer: Yes also from time to time. But now a days I laugh much more than I cry.
Question: Now that you have mentioned your family, is there anyone close to you who makes you come down to earth every day to put the feet on the ground ?
Answer: Many, many people. I am surrounded by great people and they are careful to take care of this aspect. There are also people here at the club who help the new arrivals and this helps me find my equilibrium and that is the reason why I am well psychologically.
Question: I have spoken to many of your friends. The first thing they say is something which I find rather surprising: he is very normal:
Answer: Those who know me know very well whom I am. In many cases I am a bad sad about all what is said about me but those who live with me and are close to me know that I am a very sincere person and that I only have one face. That is what I am happy about.
Question: Come on – you are not preoccupied with your public image… interrupted.
Answer: It does matter to me of course it matters what people think about me. I am someone very since nothing more nothing less. I respect other’s opinion about me but often I do not agree with them. They say things about Cristiano which are not correct. But by the end of the day life is like that and one has to go on.
Question: What do you think about the tabloid press ?
Answer: It is normal. In order to make money certain people have to invent lies. Create polemics which do not exist. I am used to it and I know how to live with this but it is not always easy for me. I am aware that I have a family behind me and people who love me who do not like all of this and who do not like to live with all of this. For 4-5 years now it has been like that.
Question: You are not going to stop being a very lucky young man of 24 years who likes to have a bit of fun from time to time.
Answer: To the majority of the people I am not a young man but rather a person who always has to do things well and if not they are going to kill him. Well it is ok life is like that with the good sides and the bad sides. What can we do about it. I have adapted to this way of life 100%.
Question: Is it possible to be CR and at the same time miss something?
Answer: well small things that I used to do in the past and which I cannot do now a days. Something about privacy. Por instance go to the shopping mall or to the movies go for a walk or go to the beach.
Question: If you had continued playing in Andorinha o if you played in Hull City there would not be such problems.
Answer: Of course not. I do realize that being where I am and having won what I have another kind of life. But it does not change the fact that I miss many of these little things in life.

Part 3 to follow……

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Filed Under: CR7, Press Tagged With: CR, CR7, CR9, Cristiano Ronaldo interview, Ronaldo, Ronaldo interview

Interview with Cristiano Ronaldo 30th of August 2009

September 23, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

In the Spanish newspaper EL Pais’ Sunday edition 30th of August 2009 there was an interview with Cristiano Ronaldo. Thus the interview was brought the day after he made his debut in La Liga.
On the frontpage of the weekly magazine being brought as a supplement to the Sunday newspaper there is portrait photo of Ronaldo and a small text: “Cristiano Ronaldo:” “Soy una persona normal que hace cosas diferentes. Solo eso.”. Cristiano Ronaldo quote: I am a normal person who does different things only that.

Magazine cover - Cristiano Ronaldo

Magazine cover - Cristiano Ronaldo

Below first part of the interview is brough translated into English:
Cristiano Ronaldo: If everyone does not like God – not everyone is going to like me either.
A mom devoted to Ronald Reagan gave him the name Ronaldo. But he did not turn out to become a politician rather a footballer. And a good one – a very good one. So good that he has cost the club Real Madrid almost 100 million Euros. The Real Madrid star sees himself as a normal person who does different things. Only that.
The interview is conducted at the Real Madrid training facility in Valdebebas. From there on there is clear view towards the location of the old Real Madrid training center where now a days a business area with 4 skyscrapers can be found: 4 Torres (4 Towers).

Figo | Zidane | Beckham | Ronaldo

Figo | Zidane | Beckham | Ronaldo


Question: Did they explain to you what those towers in the horizon mean ?
Answer: Yes. These are the towers of the President of Real Madrid for Figo, Beckham, Zidane and Ronaldo (The Brazilian striker).
Question: Do these towers and the history of Real Madrid weigh on you or with so much going on around you nothing really worries you anymore ?
Answer: Everyone has their time. Every player who has gone through the club has left his mark. My responsibility is to do the same or better to leave a beautiful page og memories in the book of Real Madrid and to do the best possible.
Question: You evoke a lot of admiration as well as jealousy. Is it easy to go through the day being Cristiano Ronaldo ?
Answer: Yes yes I am already used to this way of life and there is time for everything. There are times where I need to concentrate upon football. Moments where to go out and times to be with the family. I am used to this way of life and I feel very well about being who I am. It is for sure that it is not always easy but this is my life and I am happy about my life.
Question: Come on, this means that the private Cristiano goes well alongside the public Cristiano ?
Answer: hehe yes we are very compatible. We are very good friends.
Question: And how is it to know that you are worth almost 100 million euros – everyday to listen to people saying that footballers are a privileged group.
Answer: Well there are people who are satisfied with the way things are and others who are not. Life is always like that. If not everyone likes or believes in God not everyone is going to like me either. I understand and I respect others’ opinions about these things but many times I do not agree with them. I am at ease with myself – I have a arrived at a great club and I want to show to myself , to my familia to the people who like me and to those who signed me that I am worth the money. I have nothing else to say. Only to work.
Question:Don’t you think that football has deviated ? To many people the money paid are obscene.
Answer: No, I do not think so. I think it is just right. Things are just like that.
Question: How about putting an upper limit on the transfer sums ?
Answer: What ?? Ahh no no no. I do not talk about such matters. Each and everyone has one’s metier.
Question: Are you aware that prehaps your world is something unreal. That outside of this bubble there is a planet earth ?
Answer: I have already lived in the real world. In my head I always think of myself as a normal person – a normal person who does different things – just that. We the players know that we have a profession which gives us a lot of great things but also a great responsibility. We always have to win matches. It is a great pressure. But we are professionals and we are used to this.
Question: Are you worried about the image that many ascribe to you as being somewhat loose – frivolous. Are you somewhat worried that it is not about your football or the aesthetics?
Answer: I know how to behave well on and off the field even though I know that sometimes it is not easy for many reasons. I try to make a good impression especially for the kids. It is important that they grow up with good role models. This is a great responsibility for me. I have nephews and if one day I am to have children myself I would like them to grow up feeling that those people who love them are also good role models.
Question: The childhood is what you are most interested in.
Answer: Yes, they are our future. What will happen when we are no longer around and they are to take over? It is important that they have been installed with the right values.
Question: What is left of the child who started to kick the ball around in Andorinha of Funchal.
Answer: It is a long time ago but it was a good experience. Mi course in life so far has been very good. I have met many great people along the road who have all contributed to where I am today. Both in Andorinha and in the national team as well as in Sporting Lisbon. I have a lot to thank them for. It has not been to easy to make it to the point where I am today.
Second part of the interview to follow…

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Filed Under: CR7, Press Tagged With: CR7, interview, Spanish press

Champions League match review Zurich – Real Madrid

September 17, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Real Madrid’s second galakticos team made its’ debut in the Champions League against Zurich FC in Switzerland. Real Madrid won the match 5-2 after being up 3-0 at halftime.
The Spanish sports press especially the 2 Madrid dailies Marca and AS were of course very satisfied with the performance of the new star-loaded Real Madrid side.
The title reads: “Cristiano saco su fusil“. It means “Cristiano Ronaldo pulled out his gun”. “Se quita la pression fulminando a los suizos con dos trallazos de falta”. Translation: “He removes the pressure after firing home against the Swiss two thunderous free kick goals”.

The reason why the paper talks about removing pressure , even though Ronaldo has scored in both of his matches so far for Real Madrid in the league, is that so far he had not scored any of trademark freekick goals. Neither in La Liga nor in pre-season training matches. But in any case maybe the presumed “pressure” has been more papertalk than anything being perceived by the players nor the club.

The third part of the headtitle on the frontpage reads: “Tambien mojaron Raul, Higuain y un superlativo Guti que marco un gol de vaselina para enmarcar. El tecnico suizo: Por aqui ha pasado uno de los mejores equipos del mundo, si no el mejor”. Translated: ” Also Raul and Higuain scored and a great Guti scored a goal on a lob to round it all off. The Swiss coach: Today one of the best teams in the world stopped by here if not THE best..

frontpage Wednesday the 16th of September Marca

frontpage Wednesday the 16th of September Marca

Inside the paper the 2 – 9 are dedicated the match between Zurich and Real Madrid.
Each player is giving a note for his performance on the night. The scale is from 1 to 3 stars. 3 being the highest and 1 the lowest.
Notes:
Casillas 2 – Arbeloa 1 – Pepe 2 – Albiol 1 – Drenthe 2 – Xabi Alonso 3 – Gago 1 – Lass 1 – Kaka 1 – Ronaldo 3 – Raul 3 – Higuain 2 – Guti 2 – Pellegrini (coach) 2.
Man of the match Cristiano Ronaldo with 2 spectacular freekick goals.

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Filed Under: CR7, Press Tagged With: Champions League, CR7, Real Madrid, sports press

Madrid Metro – Cristiano Ronaldo posters

September 8, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Cristiano Ronaldo has a personal sponsor deal with Nike – Real Madrid is an adidas team. In order for Nike to gain exposure from the enormous general interest generated by the new Real Madrid Galacticos they run campaigns using Cristiano Ronaldo as their front figure.

One way to get a large exposure is the Madrid metro. The Madrid metro is among the biggest in the world serving more than 2,5 million travelers every day. Learn more about the Madrid metro on the Wikipedia

The photo below is from the Metro station Santiago Bernabeu – right by the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
The text on the full wall poster reads: Si La Liga es la puerta para la historia estos son mis llaves – If La Liga (the Spanish League) is the gate to history these are my keys (a photo of his boots mercurial vapor in black).

Santiago Bernabeu metro station

Santiago Bernabeu metro station

A second wall poster of slightly smaller proportions can be found on many other metro stations. The text reads: Mis expectativas son mayores que las tuyas: My expectations are greater than yours! Marca la diferencia. Make a difference – reference to the boots as the difference maker.

Sevilla Metro station Madrid - Cristiano Ronaldo poster

Sevilla Metro station Madrid - Cristiano Ronaldo poster

It looks like the 3-stripe adidas’ logo and trademark are visible on the shorts but only slightly. So giving the impression of Ronaldo wearing the white Real Madrid uniform but without placing too much emphasis on the fact that Real Madrid plays in adidas is achieved.

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