Ronaldo resumes training, may play against Zurich

Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo warms up as he takes part in his first training session after recovering from an ankle sprain in Madrid. Ronaldo resumed training on Monday, several weeks after suffering an ankle injury, and may be fit to play against FC Zurich in the Champions League next week.

MADRID (AFP) - – Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo resumed training on Monday, several weeks after suffering an ankle injury, and may be fit to play against FC Zurich in the Champions League next week.

The world's most expensive player has said he hopes to play against Racing Santander in the league this weekend.

But Real does not want to risk him so soon, and he is expected to take the field again on November 25 against Zurich, before playing in the "clasico" match at Barcelona four days later, the club said.

The Portuguese winger was among a dozen or so players training on Monday, the others being absent due to international commitments.

Ronaldo injured his right ankle in Real's 3-0 Champions League victory over Marseille at the end of September and aggravated the problem while playing for Portugal on October 10.

Ronaldo hopes to play in 'clasico'

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Real Madrid's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo (R) having his right ankle checked by the team's doctor Henrique Jones (L) in Lisbon, on November 10. Ronaldo said Thursday he was recovering well from his ankle injury and hopes to play in the "clasico" match at Barcelona on November 29.

MADRID (AFP) - – Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo said Thursday he was recovering well from his ankle injury and hopes to play in the "clasico" match at Barcelona on November 29.

"Everything is going very well, I have started running again and I think I will start training with the team next week," the Portuguese winger told Spanish media at a ceremony at Real's Bernebeu stadium.

"Of course, I want to play against Barcelona, but I want to play again before then," including against Zurich in the Champions League on November 25.

Ronaldo injured his right ankle in Real's 3-0 Champions League victory over Marseille at the end of September and aggravated the problem while playing for Portugal on October 10.

On Tuesday he was ruled out of his country's crucial World Cup play-off matches against Bosnia-Herzegovina on November 14 and 18 after undergoing medical tests on the injury in Lisbon.

Both Portugal - World Cup semi-finalists in 2006 - and Real had been locked in a battle over Ronaldo with the club insisting that he was not fit enough to travel.

Ronaldo, bought from Manchester United last summer for a world record 94 million euros, is the top scorer in the Primera Liga with five goals and in the Champions League with four.

Spanish media have reported that Real coach Manuel Pellegrini's job is in jeopardy after the team was eliminated from the Spanish Cup by third division minnows Alcorcon.

Cristiano Ronaldo injury update

The player must remain inactive until he undergoes another examination in one week’s time

www.realmadrid.com

Following an MRI on Wednesday to monitor the evolution of Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury, the pathology report shows that the soft tissues (joint synovitis, tenosynovitis and sprained internal lateral ligament) are healing favorably and that swelling of the bone edema has decreased. Despite this improvement, a minor bone edema has been found in the center of his right ankle. The player must remain inactive until he undergoes another examination in one week’s time.

Cristiano Ronaldo: "I never get tired of winning" "I’m willing to leave a mark at Real Madrid"

www.realmadrid.com / Translation by Manuel Arcedillo

Cristiano Ronaldo talked in an interview to El Pais Semanal about the pressure he’s gone through since he was a child and about his new era at Real Madrid.

“When I was eleven I moved on my own to Lisbon. I cried every day, but I liked the experience. I learned a lot, especially about living under pressure.”

“I’ve always had my feet on the ground. I’m a normal guy who does unusual things, that’s all. I always try to leave a good impression. I do it especially for kids because it’s important that they grow up with good role models. The people who live with me know I’m an honest man. I’m not two-faced.”

“I’m at a great club and I’m going to prove to myself, my family, the ones who love me and the people who signed me that I’m worth it. I’ve been taking huge responsibilities since I was very young. It was difficult at the beginning but I felt glad that people trusted me so much. It gave me strength.”

“I’m willing to leave a good mark at Real Madrid. I don’t get tired of winning, and if victories come playing good football, all the better. We have a solid squad and a great coach, so we have everything we need to succeed.”

Real Madrid Training

Cristiano's best cicerones

Heinze, Van Nistelrooy and Pepe have already played alongside Ronaldo

Alberto Navarro / Translation by www.realmadrid.com

Cristiano Ronaldo may leave Manchester to play in Spain. The adjustment to his new team shouldn't be that hard having already shared a dressing room with Pepe, Van Nistelrooy and Heinze.

Van Nistelrooy:
"Good players are always welcome. Cristiano is fantastic."

"He is very young, but he has a lot of experience after playing in the World Cup, Euro, Champions League and English competitions. He is strong both physically and technically. He's got it all."

Heinze:
"We are very good friends. We connected well when we both played at Manchester."

"He is very intelligent and an outstanding football player."

Pepe:
"I think having Cristiano on your side is always the best option. He likes Real Madrid and has always dreamed about playing here, and he likes the city."

"Cristiano is a first-class player. He is the whole package and solid at set-pieces. He can determine the outcome of a match in a matter of seconds."

Scoring is a way of life

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 150 goals in seven years, an average of 21.5 per season

www.realmadrid.com

Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the most well-rounded player in football today. He's got the speed, dribbling skills, the ability to use both feet, an aerial attack, leadership skills, crossing ability, and the list goes on... There is little wonder why Ronaldo has scored 150 goals in the seven years he has played top flight football.

Cristiano Ronaldo's debut in the Portuguese Super League couldn't have started any other way. The first time he suited up with the first team against Moreirense resulted in two superb goals. The first after he recovered the ball in the midfield, dribbled past one defender after another and beat the goalkeeper with a beautiful lob. For the second he displayed his aerial prowess so characteristic of the way he plays.

Additionally, Cristiano is a specialist at capitalizing on set-peices. He improved in this aspect while in England, where his first -against Portsmouth- and last -against Manchester City- goals were free kicks.

A hat-trick against Newcastle in January of last year and a total of 29 braces are the proof of the pudding of the Portuguese's voracity on opponent's goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo is also well-rounded with his national team, for whom he has scored 22 goals. In total, the star from Madeira has scored 150 goals, 93 of which were with his right foot, 27 with his left and 30 with his head. What's great is that he is only 24-years old and has plenty of room for improvement. If his possible signing for Real Madrid finally takes place, the Santiago Bernabeu will enjoy watching the total package.

A packed Bernabeu gave the new Madridista a very warm welcome Presentation of Cristiano Ronaldo

www.realmadrid.com / Juan Jose Lopez Soto / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

Never in the history of any football club had the presentation of a player been so anticipated. Today, over 80,000 fans gathered at the Bernabeu to greet Ronaldo as a Madridista.

A stage was set on the north side of the pitch, with trophies and pictures of legendary Real Madrid players surrounding it. The first to take it were President Florentino Perez, Honorary President Alfredo di Stefano and guest of honour and legendary Portuguese player Eusebio.

A spectacular video montage of Ronaldo's best plays and goals was shown just before the act began, and it was followed by another paying tribute to great Madridistas of recent times like Beckham, Raul, Casillas, Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Guti, Robinho...

Florentino Perez
"Thank you all for being here. You represent the greatest symbol of Madridismo, which is the passion the Club Members and fans all around the world feel for this team. You are essential in making this the most admired and respected club in the world. What's happening tonight has no precedent and your massive attendance represents the essence of this Real Madrid. Thank you for being the stars in this unstoppable showcasing of strength, excitement and vision."

"There are Portuguese fans here with us today to help us greet one of their own into this house. It is an honour for us to have here one of the best players of all times and a symbol of the best Portuguese football in history: the legendary Eusebio."

"You must all be aware that here, on this stage, we have two friends that happen to be two of the best players in history: Eusebio and Di Stefano. Very few are privileged enough to reach greatness and we are greeting one of those people today. Real Madrid welcomes one of the chosen ones capable of making the dreams of football fans throughout the world come true. Today we welcome Cristiano Ronaldo."

At that moment, the player came out from the dressing room amidst cheers of "Si, si, si. Ronaldo en el Madrid." (Yes, yes, yes, Ronaldo at Real Madrid).

As soon as Cristiano reached the stage, the President finished off his speech. "Dear cristiano Ronaldo. This is your crowd now. It is the same crowd that put Real Madrid at the height of world football. Your talent has allowed you to see one of your dreams come true. We are very satisfied with knowing you wanted to play for Real Madrid. Football for you is a blessing and you are aware of the fact that the priority here is the success of the team as a whole. Cristiano, welcome to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Welcome to the place where our legend was born. Welcome to Real Madrid."

Cristiano Ronaldo
"I am very happy about being here. This is a dream come true; as a child I dreamt of playing for Real Madrid. I didn't expect the stadium to be packed. This is unbelievable. Thank you all. Hala Madrid!"

Following these brief words, Ronaldo got close to the stands and greeted many supporters.