2008: The Year of Cristiano Ronaldo

Report by Victoria Cochrane

At any time considering that Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Manchester United in August 2003, the £12million winger has never ever been far from the headlines. Making his debut in the first game of the 2003/04 time, in a comfortable four- win above Bolton, Ronaldo came off the bench to change Nicky Butt to become the very first actually Portuguese player to represent the Red Devils. From the raw expertise signed by Sir Alex Ferguson – soon after becoming handed above by the then-Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier and almost getting bought by Arsene Wenger at Arsenal – Ronaldo has turned into one of the contemporary day greats who is amid the quite finest in planet football. This claim has been verified by the fact that in 2008 Ronaldo received the Ballon d’Or, typically named the European Footballer of the Yr Award even though, currently gamers from any nationality enjoying in any country can win the accolade. The previous year Ronaldo had arrive second to the Brazilian Kaka. Ronaldo grew to become the 3rd Portuguese international (becoming a member of Eusebio and Luis Figo) and the fourth Manchester United player (following Denis Law, Bobby Charlton and George Greatest) to win the award. Somewhat than go by a player’s performances about the program of a period, the Ballon D’or is awarded to whoever is deemed to have been greatest about the course of a calendar yr. Ronaldo started off 2008 scoring against Aston Villa in the FA Cup before scoring his very first at any time hat-trick, in the six- demolition of Newcastle. The winger, or floating second striker as he was usually employed, scored 24 ambitions in between New 12 months and the stop of the 2007/08 season. His goal in opposition to the Czech Republic served his nationwide side reach the quarter ultimate of the 2008 European Championships. An ankle injury delayed Ronaldo’s return to club football but he managed one more nine targets before the conclude of the calendar 12 months, like four in four days as he scored match-winning doubles in opposition to West Ham United and Hull City. Thirty players have been nominated for the 2008 award, with 96 global journalists voting for their top five choices. Ronaldo came top rated with 446 factors, followed by Barcelona’s Lionel Messi with 281 factors and Liverpool’s Fernando Torres with 179 factors. Since then, nonetheless, Cristiano Ronaldo has been snubbed by his main rival. When asked to identify his dream staff of 2008, Messi neglected to decide on Ronaldo as a substitute opting for a midfield of Javier Zanetti, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Irrespective, Ronaldo continues to be extremely significantly in focus as being a single of the world’s greatest and each transfer window brings rumours that clubs from across the continent are planning massive bids to pry him away from Outdated Trafford.

About the Author

Victoria Cochrane writes for a digital advertising and marketing agency. This post has been commissioned by a customer of explained company. This article is not intended to market, but really should be regarded as expert material.