Ronaldo interview from before the Arsenal game
The Real Madrid website is making for interesting reading, can't imagine them asking some of these questions in this country and they had some pretty comprehensive stuff on Arsenal too, including Beckham's views on all our first team players...
Ronaldo: “We need the positive atmosphere we had against Zaragoza”
Ronaldo is more motivated than ever as he returns to the Champions League. The Arsenal match will be his first of the tournament this season. He has dreamed about scoring many goals but he knows victory is only achieved as a team. “It's not a match between Ronaldo and Henry, but a duel between two greats, Madrid and Arsenal,” he stated in today's press conference.
The last time you played against an English team, which happened to be Manchester, you had an incredible game.
I hope to play as well against Arsenal as I did against Manchester, but what's more important is that the team wins by putting on a good performance.
Are you the same player now as you were back then?
I think so but I'm coming off a patch of injuries and I've missed three months. I've started to play again and I've had a good string of matches. I feel the same and I have the same desire to score lots of goals and play well.
Has your style of play changed under López Caro? Has this affected you personally?
I feel comfortable with the coach. He's changed the style of play and it's been for the better. We're achieving good results. The fans are also pleased with our performance. I've played every tactical scheme in the world and have never had a problem adapting. The goals will come. In 16 League matches I've scored 10 goals and I wasn't in the best form because of injuries. We'll see what the statistics are at the end of the season.
Are you worried about your on-pitch performance?
No. I know perfectly well what I'm worth for the squad and what my potential is. I feel physically fit at the moment, after having had problems in this department for quite some time now. I will be back at scoring regularly, like I did against Zaragoza. What's most important is that the team wins, whether the goals are scored by Robinho, Zidane, or myself.
Do you feel you're overweight or that you're not in good form?
I have been overweight on very few occasions during my career. I know this and the doctors second this opinion. I feel perfectly alright with my present weight. It's the weight I've had for a long time, so there's really no problem there. The team is winning displaying good football, I am back at scoring and everything is just going to keep improving.
This year, Real Madrid has two players for each position. The only player without a replacement is you. Are you conscious that team's success at the end of the season depends on your scoring abilities?
I know how important I am for the team and what I am capable of contributing. I will try to do my work well.
You have a chance to prove that you're in top form against Arsenal.
I have no need to prove anything to anyone. I am 29 years old and have been playing for fifteen years. I have achieved almost everything there is to achieve during my career. What I do want is a great night with my team, to score goals and to make it to the final of the Champions League, which is just about the only trophy I have not won. It's not a match between Ronaldo and Henry, but a duel between two greats, Madrid and Arsenal.
What are your thoughts on Henry?
He's a great player, anopther one who has nothing to prove to anyone. He has scored a great many goals, but I would underline his speed: it's almost impossible to stop him when he's in control of the ball. I think he's one of the best forwards worldwide.
You have always said that the fans at the Bernabéu are like a hard-to-please girlfriend. Is the match against Arsenal a good moment to make her happy?
I have never had any problems. I have never understood the Bernabéu fans, which are not the same people who show me their affection and support in the streets. I have never felt at home; they have never treated me with affection and care. Still, it's not right to focus on my relationship with the home supporters; what we need is the fans to be behind the team as they did against Zaragoza in the Cup. We need that atmosphere. I am used to being whistled at in disapproval in this stadium. Nevertheless, I will keep on doing my best for the team's benefit.
Are you thinking of leaving Real Madrid?
I only want to focus on the League and the Champions League. I will gather my thoughts and reach a conclusion at the end of the season. But it's important, because I have never felt at ease where people weren't happy with me.
Do you know why the fans treat you like they do?
I have thought it over a thousand times and I have spoken with countless people about it, and I can't understand why people are so impatient with me. I get booed after a single mistake. So, I's like to know the reasons. Maybe that would allow me to change certain things. I play for the best team in the world and I would like to have the support of the fans.
The fans stood up and applauded you off the field the last time you visited England.
Suporters are different. Madrid fans are peculiar in the sense that sometimes they find the motivation to cheer you on for a turnaround that is almost impossible, but during an important League match, where we're drawing nil-nil, they get nervous and they stop supporting and helping you. What we need is for the fans to be behind us every minute of the game. So, both fan bases are different: I was appluaded there, but so was Ronaldinho at the Bernabéu, and he plays for Barça. You can't compare the fans.
Is there no way of turning the tables?
I would first have to know why, which would in turn allow me to improve. But first I need to understand, because I don't.
It certainly seems as if you had already decided. Maybe a little self-criticism would be called for.
I exercise that particular aspect every minute, but all alone. I am constantly seeking progress and evolution. That is the reason I have made it so far.
Does the President know that you could be thinking of leaving?
He knows exactly what I have just told you. I haven't exactly said that I'm thinking of leaving, so please don't put words in my mouth. I have just said that I will think the whole situation through at the end of the season. The President has known for a long time how sad I am in my relationship with the fans. He has supported me many times. Things haven't changed, but I will draw my conclusions calmly at the end of the season. Now I'm only thinking of winning the League and the Champions League, which are both there, within our reach.
Do you think that the Club has not done enough to explain to the fans the effort you made to come here?
I don't know. It's not up to me to judge those things. I only want to do my job, which is playing. We all have to perform our own personal self-criticism. I do mine every night and try to improve for future reference. I hope to have the increasing support of the Club.
Could this sort of declarations before tomorrow's crucial game seek a reaction in the fans and stir up fan support?
I will say it again: I will review and assess these last four years playing for Real Madrid at the end of the season. I have no clue what the fans could infer from this. Sincerely, I don't care and I am not expecting the fans to react.
If you decide to leave, would England be the best option?
If I decide to quit Real Madrid, all options will be tentative options.
Would that shut off all possibilities of playing elsewhere in Spain?
Let's not speak of me leaving, because it is not a fact. It will be someday, but I don't know when. I will have to leave or retire some day. You make decisions at the end of the season. So we'll see what happens then. I don't understand how part of the fans can treat me this way after all the effort I put in to come here. But now, it's time to put that behind me and focus on Arsenal. I will decide my future after the World Cup.
A word on Cassano. Some say he's fat.
He's an incredible, top player. He comes from a country where football is played totally different to Spain. I don't know what his ideal weight is; that's up to the medical staff. Cassano feels very comfortable and very well physically. We are all professional and perform many tests daily. Many people are mistaken when they ucha gente se equivoca en llamarle gordo sin preocuparse antes de tener los datos en la mano, saber cuál es su nivel de grasa, saber cuál es su calidad aeróbica.
What expectations do you have for the impending World Cup?
Brazil is only focused on defending its regining championship, so all we aim for is victory in the final. Anything short of that will place us under par versus the last World Cup. Japan is a very well organised team, and their coach adds the Brazilian touch. Our group is difficult, but going through to the next stage is completely in our hands. We know just enough about Australia and Croatia. We just need to focus on displaying our game, our football.
Totti got injured this weekend against Empoli. Could the fibular fracture he's suffered put his World Cup participation in danger.
I've seen it. I wish to send Totti my best wishes for a speedy recovery. He's a great player and a fantastic person. I would ask him not to get discouraged. I will try to contact him personally to send my support. Being injured is tough, specially when the injury is this serious.
