Bale and Ronaldo will be fit for final

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will be fit to face Atlético Madrid in Saturday’s Champions League final. The Portuguese did not train with his team-mates on Tuesday following a thigh muscle injury that forced him to miss Real Madrid's final two games of the season, but insists he will be fit for his third Champions League final.

Ronaldo picked up a winners medal in 2008 as Manchester United beat Chelsea on penalties but was on the losing side the following year, when Barcelona beat United in Rome. Real fell at the semi-final stage of the competition in each of the last three seasons but Ronaldo’s 16 goals in this year’s competition have fired them to a first final in 12 years.

“No one wants to miss a final, a final we’ve been waiting a long time for and worked so hard to get to over the last three years,” he said. “Some very important players have got injured this year but the most important thing is how I feel. I won’t be taking any risks, I have been feeling good and I will be there on Saturday.”

Real Madrid finished the La Liga season in third place, while Atlético were crowned champions for the first time in 18 years. But Ronaldo is not intimidated by Diego Simeone’s side.

“Atlético are very happy, they are full of hope and go into the game with high spirits and a lot of strength, but a final is a unique game,” he said. “It’s 50/50, but I’m convinced we’re going to win.”

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Januzaj : CR7 my role model for Manchester United success

Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj says that he is using former Red Devils hero Cristiano Ronaldo as a model for his development.

Since making his United debut against Sunderland as an 18-year old earlier in the season, the Belgian is now regarded as one of the brightest prospects in world football and sees the Real Madrid superstar as the example to follow.

Januzaj cites the Portuguese's commitment to physical training in the gym as a particular lesson as he attempts to become stronger on the ball.

"I watch [Ronaldo] a lot and try to do the same things that he does," the youngster told Inside United. "He is a very good player.

"I always look at him and watch his games as well and try do what he is doing and remember what he did at Manchester United.

"I have to work hard in the gym like he did because, when he came here, he wasn't strong but, after a year or so, he became really strong and could push people away. I'm getting a bit stronger now due to the gym work."

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Nuno Gomes : Figo got more brains than CR7

Former Portugal international Nuno Gomes feels Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo is the best in the world at the moment - even though he is not as clever as former Galactico Luis Figo.

Nuno Gomes played alongside Figo for Portugal between 1996 and 2006, while he also featured alongside Ronaldo for the Seleccao during the latter stages of his international career.

While he acknowledges that Ronaldo is blessed with greater physical prowess than his Madrid predecessor, the former Benfica star claims Figo was the more intelligent footballer of the two.

"Figo during his time was the best and Cristiano is the best at the moment," Nuno Gomes was quoted as saying by uefa.com.

"Figo had more brains but Cristiano has more power.

"Maybe Cristiano scores more goals than Figo did because he can play not only as a winger but as a forward, whereas Figo was more of a winger but was rapid."

Figo, who won the 2000 edition of the Ballon d'Or, played 239 games for Madrid between 2000 and 2005, while Ronaldo - twice a winner of the revamped Fifa Ballon d'Or prize - has made 244 appearances.

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Ancelotti: Ronaldo injury 'not serious'

Carlo Ancelotti has eased fears over the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo, revealing that the problem that forced the forward off in Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Valladolid is "not serious".

The Portugal international lasted just nine minutes of the game at the Jose Zorrilla, sparking fears that he had suffered a recurrence of his recent hamstring problem.

However, Ancelotti has soothed initial concerns that Ronaldo could end up missing the conclusion of the Liga season and the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid on May 24.

"We'll see in the next few days how Cristiano is, but it's not a serious problem," the Blancos boss told reporters.

"He was not comfortable, though, so I changed him.

"I don't think Pepe or [Angel] Di Maria [who also picked up knocks] have serious problems either. But we'll see."

Ancelotti was more perturbed by the way in which Madrid threw away a one-goal lead against Valladolid to leave their Liga title hopes in tatters.

Sergio Ramos had given the visitors the lead with a fine free kick but Juan Ignacio Martinez's men snatched a crucial point for their survival bid thanks to an 85th-minute equaliser from Humberto Osorio.

"We controlled the game for 70 minutes but then we lost it in the last 20," Ancelotti lamented.

"It was not a question of attitude. Iker [Casillas, Madrid's goalkeeper] had not had a save to make.

"We defended too deep and then defended a set-piece poorly and lost the game."

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Ronaldo: Madrid will show we're best in Europe

Cristiano Ronaldo is determined to show Real Madrid are the best team in Europe in the Champions League final after thrashing holders Bayern Munich 5-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals of the competition.

Madrid recorded a 4-0 win at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday after previously winning the first leg 1-0, with the Portuguese attacker scoring twice after Sergio Ramos' four-minute double propelled the Blancos to a healthy 2-0 second-leg lead.

The former Manchester United man said it was a monkey off the back of the Madrid club, who had fallen at the semi-final hurdle in the past three European cups, and is determined to go all the way now.

"We deserve to be in the final and everyone - the coach and all his staff - deserve to be congratulated because we played very well. Now we're going to enjoy the final and try to win," Ronaldo told the official Uefa website.

"We have to show that we're the favourites out on the pitch. It's always 50-50 going into a final anyway, irrespective of who the teams are, so we're going do our best and prove we're the best team in Europe.

"As I said at the very start of the Champions League, we have to take it step by step and game by game because we know that whoever we meet in the final will be a very tough opponent. I don't care who we face in the final. It will be in my country and I want to win the Champions League."

Ronaldo broke the record for most goals in a European cup campaign, with his double on Tuesday taking him to 16, and he praised team-mate Gareth Bale for providing him with a slice of history.

"I was looking for it and I knew I needed one goal but I was not going to be mad if it didn't happen," he added. "It was a great ball from Bale. The whole team helped me.

"I'm really happy to break the Champions League record but what I want is to win it and we're very excited."

Madrid will either meet Atletico Madrid or Chelsea in next month's showpiece in Lisbon.

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Ronaldo set to miss Copa del Rey final

Real Madrid have been dealt a serious blow following the news Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to miss next week's Copa del Rey final against Barcelona with a hamstring problem.

The Portugual international limped off in the closing stages of his side's 3-0 Champions League quarter-final first leg win over Borussia Dortmund.

He subsequently sat out the 4-0 win over Real Sociedad at Anoeta and was an unused substitute in the return game against Jurgen Klopp's side, as Madrid scraped through to the semi-finals 3-2 on aggregate after losing 2-0 on Tuesday night.

It has now been confirmed that the 29-year-old has suffered an injury to his left hamstring, and is reportedly set to miss around two weeks of action, which would rule him out of the crucial Clasico next Wednesday.

The problem also makes him a doubt for the first-leg of his side's Champions League semi-final on April 22 or 23, with Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Bayern Munich all possible opponents in the last four.

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Calderon : Ronaldo turned down Barcelona

Cristiano Ronaldo turned down the chance to join Barcelona before signing his world-record deal with Real Madrid, former ex-Blancos president Ramon Calderon has revealed.

The Portuguese star joined Madrid in 2009 for a fee of €94 million from Manchester United and has become a huge hit at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning the 2013 Ballon d'Or for his sensational performances for both club and country.

However, former Madrid president Calderon insists former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson attempted to engineer a move to rivals Barca for the attacker - but Ronaldo refused.

Asked whether the Scot tried to send Ronaldo to the Blaugrana, Calderon told talkSPORT: "It is totally true. In the few weeks he tried to avoid him going to Real Madrid, offering him to Barcelona.

"Barcelona were very happy but in that moment it was very crucial as Ronaldo said: 'I'm not going to any other club but Real Madrid.'‏

"That's why we signed the deal. Everyone was happy: Manchester United got the £80 million [€94m], Real Madrid got the best player in the world and Cristiano got what he wanted because players like him are not only looking for money, they look for glory, and they look for anyone who is giving them that opportunity to win titles, to be the best in the world, to win golden boots.

"There are only three, four or five clubs that can give him what he wants."

Ronaldo has scored 22 goals in 21 league appearances for Madrid this season, but it is his work ethic and determination that separates him from other players, according to the former Madrid chief.

"Cristiano is the best of the best because every day he gets up in the morning and his only obsession is to be the best. He wants to be better than the day before," Calderon continued.

"I always told players coming to Madrid that this is the most difficult time of your career because anyone who plays against Real is going to give 150 per cent of themselves in order to beat you.

"I think it is very important for young players to understand how important it is every time you are playing or working to want to be the best.  I think that is the secret of Cristiano."

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Ronaldo catches Suarez in European Golden Shoe standings

Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to the top of the European Golden Shoe standings following his two goals in Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Celta de Vigo in La Liga on Monday evening.

The Portuguese attacker has now netted 20 goals in the Spanish top flight this term to move level with Liverpool forward Luis Suarez, who was not in Premier League action at the weekend.

Atletico Madrid star Diego Costa failed to find the net in his side's hard-fought 1-0 win over Malaga and has to settle for third spot for now.

Giuseppe Rossi sits fourth, but is unlikely to add to his tally any time soon after picking up a knee injury in Fiorentina's victory against Livorno.

French attacker Antoine Griezmann makes his first appearance in the top 10 after scoring once in Real Sociedad's 2-0 win over Bilbao.

Rank	Player	Country	Club	League	Weight	Goals	Points
1	C. Ronaldo	POR	Real Madrid	ESP	2	20 (+2)	40
=	Luis Suarez	URU	Liverpool	ENG	2	20	40
3	Diego Costa	ESP	Atletico Madrid	ESP	2	19	38
4	Giuseppe Rossi	ITA	Fiorentina	ITA	2	14	28
5	Nerijus Valskis *	LTU	Suduva	LTU	1	27	27
6	Sergio Aguero	ARG	Manchester City	ENG	2	13	26
7	Alfred Finnbogason	ISL	Heerenveen	NED	1.5	17	25.5
8	Antoine Griezmann	FRA	Real Sociedad	ESP	2	12 (+1)	24
9	Vladimir Voskoboinikov *	EST	Kalju Nomme	EST	1	23	23
10	Zlatan Ibrahimovic	SWE	Paris Saint-Germain	FRA	1.5	15	22.5
=	Marko Devic	UKR	Metalist Kharkiv	UKR	1.5	15	22.5
=	Philipp Zulechner	AUT	Grodig	AUT	1.5	15	22.5

History & How It Works

Players such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and Diego Forlan have won the European Golden Shoe in the past few seasons, with the Argentina international as the latest winner of the award following his 46 goals in 2012-13.

Other noteworthy winners include the likes of Francesco Totti, Luca Toni, Ronaldo, Marco van Basten, Eusebio and Gerd Muller.

The weightings are determined by the league's ranking on the Uefa coefficients, which in turn depend on the results of each league's clubs in European competition over the previous five seasons. Goals scored in the top five leagues according to the Uefa coefficients are multiplied by a factor of two, and goals scored in the leagues ranked six to 21 are multiplied by 1.5. Goals in all other leagues are worth one single point.

This measure has prevented players from so-called weaker leagues from winning the European Golden Shoe, since a goal scored in, for example, Armenia, Estonia or Azerbaijan, carries less weight than a goal scored in Serie A, La Liga, the Bundesliga or the Premier League.

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Ronaldo: I'd play for Mourinho again

Real Madrid's superstar said that he would be happy to work with his former coach , Jose Mourinho in the future.

The relationship between the pair was reportedly a distant one by the time Mourinho left the Santiago Bernabeu for Chelsea at the end of last season.

But anyway Ronaldo insists that he was happy to have been coached by a such great manager and the 28-year-old revealed he is open to a reunion one day.

"Forgive Mourinho? I forgive everyone. We never had a confrontation and I have never spoken ill about anyone," he told A Bola TV.

"I would work with Mourinho again and with other coaches I have had, like [Sir Alex] Ferguson, [Manuel] Pellegrini, and [Laszlo] Boloni. I learned a lot from them."

Ronaldo has been named on the final three-man shortlist of contenders for the Ballon d'Or and admitted he would love to win the award.

"Like last year and the year before, I always think I deserve the Ballon d'Or. I'd like to win it every year."

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Ronaldo: I like living under pressure

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo says he thrives under the pressure of being a leader for both club and country.

The 28-year-old has scored a total of 27 goals for Carlo Ancelotti’s side this term, and led Portugal to the World Cup with a brilliant hat-trick in the play-off tie with Sweden.

However, the former Manchester United man says he enjoys being a focal point for both of his teams.

“You have to be proud and focus on everything you do. Sometimes I like living with pressure,” he is quoted as saying by AS.

“It will not be easy to fulfil my goals, I know it will be tough, but I’ll try. If you don’t try, you don’t reach your goals.”

Ronaldo scored a total of 69 goals for club and country in 2013 but is determined to try to beat his tally next year.

“It’s always going to be tough and will to beat it as ever.”

Portugal have been handed a tough looking World Cup group alongside Germany, the USA and Ghana but Ronaldo believes his nation could be a surprise package.

“Portugal are not favourites and that gives us an advantage.”

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Falcao: Ronaldo better than Messi

Monaco striker Radamel Falcao believes that Real Madrid icon Cristiano Ronaldo is a better player than Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

The Colombia international is a huge admirer of both players, having played alongside them in La Liga for two years before leaving Atletico Madrid for Monaco during the summer.

However, as far as Falcao is concerned, the Portugal international is the slightly superior talent.

"Messi and Cristiano are the two most important players in the world today but, for me, Ronaldo is the best," the 27-year-old striker told El Tiempo.

Falcao only returned to the Monaco line-up just before the winter break after a spell on the sidelines with an injury that some reports suggested was merely a convenient way of covering up an alleged falling-out with coach Claudio Ranieri.

However, the former Porto forward insists that there was no truth in the rumours that he had been dropped and was trying to force through a move away from the Stade Louis II.

"I had a physical problem and it was not convenient to play," he stated. "It was risky. It was not a serious injury, but it could have turned into something worse."

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Ribery: I don't care whether Ronaldo attends Ballon d'Or gala

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has insisted that he does not care whether or not Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo will attend next month's Fifa Ballon d'Or gala in Zurich.

Much has been made of the Portugal star's potential absence from the event following a conflict with Fifa president Sepp Blatter, but Ribery has made it clear that Ronaldo's final decision on whether to travel to Switzerland or not is not of any interest to him.

"I have not been in touch with Ronaldo and I have not discussed him with any colleagues either. Why should I? I don't care whether he attends the gala," Ribery told Sport Bild.

"I feel honoured to be among the final three candidates and that's why it's only logical for me that I will travel to Zurich."

Ribery did admit, though, that the decision by Fifa and France Football to extend the voting deadline for the prestigious award could well hurt his chance of collecting the main prize.

"I think it's the first time since the introduction of the award that they have extended the voting deadline. It's obviously a shame for me and could be a disadvantage.

"I do not have any fear, though. I am calm about the outcome."

The winner of the Fifa Ballon d'Or will be announced on January 13.

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Tevez: Ribery should win Ballon d'Or

Carlos Tevez believes the Ballon d'Or should go to Franck Ribery ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

The 29-year-old Juventus forward says that the winger's pivotal contribution to Bayern's treble of the Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League makes him the stand out candidate for this year's prize.

"Messi and Cristiano are compete for the award every year, but for what he's done last season with Bayern and the way he played, I'd give it to Franck Ribery. He deserves it more," Tevez told Argentine radio station La Red.

All three will appear at next year's World Cup in Brazil, a tournament Tevez admits he expects to miss.

"Even if I score 30 goals this season I don't think I'll stand a chance of being included in Argentina's World Cup squad. That's very clear to me.

"I don't have to explain anything to the fans. It's not me who has to explain why I'm not playing for Argentina."

"Sabella is entitled to his decisions. I have to be a grown up person and accept it.

Tevez has not appeared for his country since 2011 when Argentina failed to claim the Copa America on home soil and hopes that he will one day get the opportunity to enjoy some happier memories of international football.

"It would make me sad if my last image with the national team is that missed penalty-kick against Uruguay at the Copa America 2011 quarter-finals."

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Ronaldo : Ballon D'or is not important

Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed that winning the Ballon d'Or is not the most important thing in a footballer's career.

The Portuguese has scooped the award once - in 2008, for his title-winning exploits at Manchester United - but has repeatedly come off second best to Lionel Messi in recent years.

Ronaldo is the favourite to regain the prize this year but the 28-year-old insists that he is not overly concerned with individual accolades.

"The Ballon d'Or is not the most important thing in a footballer's career," the Blancos forward told beIN Sport. "There are many more years.

"It is important for many players and I can understand that, but it's just an individual trophy.

"Of course, it would be nice to win but it would not be the end of the world otherwise. Moreover, great players who deserved it have never won it."

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Capello: Ronaldo deserves Ballon d'Or

Fabio Capello believes that Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win this year's Ballon d'Or for playing a key role in Portugal's qualification for the World Cup.

The 28-year-old attacker has been in sensational goalscoring form all year and currently has 25 goals in 18 appearances for Real Madrid so far this season.

However, Capello believes it was his remarkable four-goal haul in Portugal's play-off triumph over Sweden, which included a hat-trick in the second leg in Solna, which should see Ronaldo break a run of two successive runners-up finishes to Lionel Messi in the battle for the Ballon d'Or.

"This year Cristiano definitely deserves it," the Russia boss told Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

"In recent years, he always deservedly came second to Messi but this season he has done really decisive things.

"Against Sweden in the play-offs, he carried his Portugal to qualification for the World Cup. It was impressive."

Although Messi is again in contention, Ronaldo's main rival for the annual Fifa award is believed to be Franck Ribery, who won a treble with Bayern Munich last season.

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Bale: Ronaldo deserves Ballon d'Or

Gareth Bale has backed Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or and labelled his Real Madrid team-mate "the best player in the world".

Ronaldo grabbed his 25th goal for Madrid this season in a 5-0 win over Almeria on Saturday.

The Portuguese has also been in prolific form for his country, with a hat-trick against Sweden last week securing a place at the World Cup finals for Paulo Bento's side.

"For me, he is the best player in the world and I don't think anyone is near him," Bale said of Ronaldo.

"He deserves that award (the Ballon d'Or). The goals and the performances he has put in, especially when you think of the pressure he is under, for Portugal the other day, it shows what a true, true world-class player he is.

"Since I've been here he's been nothing short of unbelievable. The amount of goals he's scored is just mind-blowing this season."

Bale moved to Madrid during the close-season for a world-record fee and is grateful for the assistance Ronaldo has provided.

"There is no rivalry at all. We get on very well," added the Welshman. "He's helped me out a lot on and off the pitch.

"Since I've been here he's had nothing bad to say to me; he's just given me encouragement every game, given me confidence.

"He has been sharing his first experiences when he first came here and they have really helped me along. He's been absolutely brilliant.

"We're enjoying playing together and I think that the goals and assists show that we're playing well together. There's still a lot more to come from us both and hopefully we can have a successful season by doing that."

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Ronaldo: I want to retire at Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo insists he has no intention of leaving Real Madrid, admitting that he is considering finishing his career at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 28-year-old attacker was briefly linked with a return to Manchester United earlier this year, after stating that he was not happy in the Spanish capital, but eventually opted to sign a new deal with Los Blancos until June 2018.

Ronaldo does not regret that decision one bit, explaining that he is not in the least bit interested in leaving Madrid.

"Right now, I feel as though I want to finish my career here because I'm very happy," the Portugal international told Cope.

"I love living in Madrid, playing at the best club in the world and I can't ask for more. When things are good, when you're settled and motivated to do well, you worry less about the future.

"I feel loved here. This is my fifth season at Real. It's hard to reach the people at the Bernabeu to start with.

"The truth is that I didn't feel as though I had found my place on the field in the first few years. But then I realised that maybe it was me who was wrong.

"Now I'm 100 per cent happy. It's like a dream every time I go to the Bernabeu, the people really love me. I want to stay here for many years to come and see out my contract, there's no other club like Real."

Ronaldo has made over 200 official appearances for Madrid since joining them from United in the summer of 2009.

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Ibrahimovic: I did not applaud Ronaldo

Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic has insisted that he did not applaud Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo after the latter completed his hat-trick in Tuesday's World Cup qualification win.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker was seen clapping his hands after Ronaldo scored his third goal of the game to effectively end Sweden's World Cup ambitions, but Ibrahimovic has stressed that he was simply attempting to rouse his team-mates rather than show the Madrid man his appreciation.

"Was I applauding Ronaldo? No, I was just trying to encourage my team-mates," Ibrahimovic told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I clapped my hands to cheer them up and motivate them for the last few minutes.

"We had already gone down before. It is important not to give up until the final whistle because the unexpected can always happen."

The PSG striker did confess his admiration for the 28-year-old's prowess on the counterattack but insisted his own side's defensive lapses made life easy for the Madrid man.

"He's obviously a great player, but we allowed him way too much space. Nobody's as good as he is on the counterattack. This game once more showed his biggest qualities," added Ibrahimovic.

"Is he the best player in the world? I can only say that he scored one goal more than I did."

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Ibra : World Cup is nothing without me

Sweden international Zlatan Ibrahimovic has made a startling assertion that the 2014 World Cup will not be worth watching following his side's elimination from the play-offs because he will not be there.

Ibrahimovic could not prevent his side's hopes of making it to Brazil from being dashed despite scoring a double, as Cristiano Ronaldo stole the show with an outstanding hat-trick to win the match for Portugal in the second leg play-off 3-2 (4-2 on aggregate).

The 32-year-old, who admits it might be his last attempt to reach a World Cup, says the major tournament being held next June will not be worth following now that he will not be involved.

"It was probably the last attempt to reach the World Cup with the national team for me. One thing is for sure, a World Cup without me is nothing to watch so it is not worth while to wait for the World Cup," he said to his app Zlatan unplugged.

"Congratulations to Portugal, but both teams deserved to get to the World Cup.

"The disappointment of course is great now that the World Cup in Brazil will remain a dream for the Swedish national team."

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Ancelotti dismisses Blatter apology

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti feels Sepp Blatter's apology to Cristiano Ronaldo is of little value as he says the damage has already been done.

Blatter, 77, recently made some ill-advised remarks about the Portugal international when comparing him to Lionel Messi, leading to angry reactions from Madrid and Ronaldo.

Fifa's president has since offered his apologies for his comments, but Ancelotti is not impressed and believes the Swiss should have known better.

"Blatter's apology? The damage has been done. Sometimes it's better to think before speaking. Maybe count to 10," Ancelotti stated at a press conference, before praising Ronaldo's attitude.

"Cristiano is a very professional and serious player. He gives everything in every game. I can't ask any more from him."

The Italian coach then went on to discuss his starting XI for this weekend's game against Rayo Vallecano and revealed that he will make a number of changes to the team that beat Sevilla 7-3 in midweek, with the Champions League clash against Juventus in his thoughts.

"I'm going to make some rotations, so some players who didn't play against Sevilla will play on Saturday," he continued.

"Raphael Varane is a little tired. He's not going to play, so he can be ready for Tuesday. Xabi Alonso will start tomorrow."

Alonso made his first appearance of the season against los Rojiblancos after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

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