Premier League - Ronaldo hails Fergie impact

Eurosport - Sat, 04 Jul 16:31:00 2009

Cristiano Ronaldo admits he will always hold a special place in his heart for his former manager at Manchester United Sir Alex Ferguson.

FOOTBALL Manchester United's manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Cristiano Ronaldo - 0

Speaking ahead of his official presentation as a Real Madrid player on Monday following his world-record £80 million move from United, Ronaldo was keen to hail the impact Ferguson has had on his career.

"He's been my father in sport, one of the most important factors and most influential in my career," Ronaldo said in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca on Saturday.

Ferguson splashed out £12.24million to bring the teenage Ronaldo to United from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 and in six years under the Scot's tutelage, the Portugal international has developed into one of the best players on the planet.

Ronaldo severed his ties with United this summer to complete his move to Madrid, but the 24-year-old admits he will never forget what Ferguson did for him.

He added: "I have to thank him for all that he taught me. He's been fundamental. I'll always have great affection for him and he will occupy a special place in my heart.

"I'll also keep a very special memory of (United chief executive) David Gill and all the directors at United."

Ronaldo, who revealed he would be travelling to Manchester in the coming days to say his farewells to Ferguson in person, also had a message of thanks for his former fans at United.

"It was my home. I played there six seasons and I was always well liked by the United fans," he added.

"We won many things together. They always sang my song in the stands and I have to thank them for the affection they showed me during all the time that I played at Old Trafford. The fans of Manchester (United) are special."

PA Sport

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  1. Real Madrid is full of egos and everyone is going to­ want the ball. Manchester United has talented players­ that work hard for results and work better as a team­ because there is no clear cut superstar. Go Manchester­ United!!!!!!!

    From zitrostars0920, on Sun 5 Jul 6:49AM

  2. Good luck Ronaldo u help us won alot thing before...as­ United fans i wish he doing well there...but at the­ same time i hope RM lose...lol..

    From Addy N, on Sun 5 Jul 4:48AM

  3. ronaldo asked real madrid to sign him they said no, he­ went to arse-nal they said no! the players at man utd­ asked alex ferguson to sign him! alex ferguson has won­ the most medals as manager and has created numerous­ great players. he has the most players that have gone­ on to manage a premiership team. ronaldo can go to real­ but he will always be remembered as the one who sold us­ out. we built a team around him. we will rebuild but he­ will never know that kind of loyalty again!!

    From ROHIT, on Sun 5 Jul 3:42AM

  4. Posting 31, what are you going on about? Makes no­ sense whatsoever.

    From Steven, on Sun 5 Jul 2:54AM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    i recently got introduced to football but after all the­ moaning and hes going here and hes only signing for­ them and i'll only do that and im bigger than that­ and i can walk on water and its always been my dream­ and me butcher supports em and its trophies i want yeah­ right i aint gonna bother

    From cherie.shaun, on Sun 5 Jul 1:16AM
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    this is why he is a star, he is honest and thanks­ everyone who has helped him. this is why i like him...

    From dodger, on Sun 5 Jul 12:58AM

  7. ronaldo could of been a legend at man utd if he told­ the truth

    From Paul T, on Sun 5 Jul 12:58AM

  8. "Rooney slides the ball through to Owen who rounds­ Reina - in front of the Kop - GOAL!!" Sweet. That­ would be worth watching..

    Ronaldo a legend at OT? No­ way. He improved a great deal over the years and gave­ us a lot of entertainment. But massive egos do not make­ legends. Compare Ronaldo with Giggs, Solksjaer etc.­ Beckham became to big for his boots and they won't­ be unveiling any statues of him at OT any time soon­ either.

    From howard.stringer, on Sat 4 Jul 11:36PM

  9. some people criticise and even are abusive about Sir­ Alex Ferguson.
    look at what the best player in the­ world says about Fergie.

    From harvister79, on Sat 4 Jul 11:34PM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    2-0
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    From barcelona_sure_kicked_your_arse, on Sat 4 Jul 10:40PM

  11. post 17
    Tyipikal men utd speling all a banch off­ fikos.....
    lol

    From barcelona_sure_kicked_your_arse, on Sat 4 Jul 10:38PM

  12. Even with Ronaldo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From barcelona_sure_kicked_your_arse, on Sat 4 Jul 10:36PM

  13. I do wish him well,but i do feel let down by him.I­ don't understand why he chose to leave a club that­ has been at the pinacle of world football for the time­ he has been there.I wonder how he will feel if Madrid­ win nothing next season.Whatever happens i think he has­ made a mistake joining a lesser team.

    From Jed, on Sat 4 Jul 10:14PM

  14. Good luck Cristiano Ronaldo...

    From Davis K, on Sat 4 Jul 8:43PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    If Fergie was real clever he would have fed Ronaldo’s­ ego and kept him for a year or two telling him that­ when he moves he’ll be the world’s first £100,000,000­ player. I think Ronaldo, being the greedy f*** that he­ is, would have gone for that one.

    PS. Does anyone know­ where I can get a good compilation of all those free­ kicks that Ronaldo pissed away last season? Just to­ make me feel better.

    From fraserdigby, on Sat 4 Jul 8:43PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    If Fergie was real clever he would have fed Ronaldo’s­ ego and kept him for a year or two telling him that­ when he moves he’ll be the world’s first £100,000,000­ player. I think Ronaldo, being the greedy f*** that he­ is, would have gone for that one.

    PS. Does anyone know­ where I can get a good compilation of all those free­ kicks that Ronaldo pissed away last season? Just to­ make me feel better.

    From fraserdigby, on Sat 4 Jul 8:36PM

  17. Good Luck Ronaldo In Your Future And Thanks Your­ Service And Your Goals.

    From eddieblyth, on Sat 4 Jul 8:25PM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    AWW CAME AFF AT BYES HES A TWET.

    From Donney, on Sat 4 Jul 6:37PM

  19. ronaldo will have a place in old traffords hart and we­ always be knowen as a ledgand

    From TR, on Sat 4 Jul 6:17PM

  20. fergie has taught you some stuff over the past years

    From LISA, on Sat 4 Jul 6:08PM
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