Ronaldo's debt to father figure Fergie

Sat, 04 Jul 15:05:14 2009

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

Speaking ahead of his official presentation as a Real Madrid player on Monday following his world-record £80million 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."

 

Comment 1 - 13 of 13

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  1. “ Oh no, what have I done?” – Cristiano Ronaldo Tues­ 7th July 2009

    From fraserdigby, on Tue 7 Jul 12:48AM

  2. the boy never grew into a man !!!!that why he has to­ leave even roo had to step aside ,utd were becoming a 1­ player team for cr ego.

    From nlwarburton, on Sun 5 Jul 9:40AM

  3. Fergie is one of the fathers of professional football.

    From harvister79, on Sat 4 Jul 11:40PM

  4. Any supporter if true and honest would love Ronaldo in­ thier team

    From stuart.adamson2, on Sat 4 Jul 10:59PM

  5. 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 8:39PM

  6. well done ronaldo, but as post 2 says you wont see this­ comment anywhere as unfortunately the media b*st*rds­ wont deem in news worthy, thank you ronaldo and thanks­ for 68 mil profit

    From Jimmyrice man u are champs again, on Sat 4 Jul 6:11PM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    pffftt ronaldo was nothing but a cheating diving player

    From stephenfullarton, on Sat 4 Jul 4:47PM

  8. no doubt Cristiano Ronaldo is a fantastic player an my­ favorite player but he no more my favorite no player­ is bigger than my beloved MANU CR is a selfish guy now­ MANU CREATE STARS THEY DONT BUY THE STARS AND THEY­ DONT SHOUT LIKE REAL MONKEYS WE ARE A BIGGER CLUB AND­ EVERYBODY KNOWS WHO IS BIGGER AND IN LIFE MONEY IS NOT­ EVERYTHING HE WOULD HAVE STILL HAVE PLAYING AT THE­ SPOOR LISBON HE SHOULD OWE TO SIR ALEX AND MANU NOT­ MANU SHOULD OWE TO HIM AND THE FANS HAVE ALWYS­ SUPPORTED HIM REDS DEVILS WILL BECOME MORE STRONGER AND­ WILL WIN MORE AND MORE TOPHYS AND HE WE SIT AND REGRET­ HIS MOVE TO REAL MONKEYS WHOLE LIF TIME CHEERS TO MANU­ AND UEFA SHOULD PAIR MANU AND REAL MONKEYS IN CL AND­ MAN U WILL SHOW THEM WHAT @#$% THEY ARE CHEERS DEVIL­ HERE WE COME...... DEVIL INDIAN

    From indalkar.santosh, on Sat 4 Jul 4:19PM

  9. enz54...are you believe one word,what he is saying­ ???? He is a "born JERK". Last year he­ said.."My grandfather was Spanish and my boyhood­ dream playing for Real."!!!!and what next ??Spain­ National team ??because he did nothing for Portugal.!!!­ I saw few games and he was the worst player on the­ field.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From JoeF, on Sat 4 Jul 3:38PM

  10. WAAHHH!! WAAAHHH! What a sad and pathetic statement.. I­ got a lot of questions Ronaldo..

    1) When you win the­ Footballer of the Year, you didn't thank Fergie,­ you didn't even mention about him.
    2) If you valued­ Man U so much, why you left? If I was you, even Real is­ my favorite, I won't leave Man U..
    3) After you­ signed the 80m bonanza, you never thought about Man U..­ why now?

    And I think you won't play well in Real..­ suggestions? Come back to MAN U!!!

    From Angelos, on Sat 4 Jul 3:28PM

  11. True that! Glad to hear words of this kind from him. ­ May you achieve success, Ronaldo; thank you for the­ plentiful goals and dazzling skills!

    From United!!, on Sat 4 Jul 3:20PM

  12. This article will get minimal publicity - because it­ shows the CR transfer for what it is: good business for­ two clubs, a natural progression for CR as a Real fan,­ and CR showing respect for MUFC, Sir Alex and the­ fans.........not very newsworthy! I've followed­ United for 33 years and CR is the best player I've­ ever seen ina United shirt (although I'm slightly­ too young to have seen Bestie). But nothing lasts­ forever and I'm glad we got what I suspect will be­ his best two years. Good article, great player and a­ happy ending for all parties. Viva Ronaldo

    From jon.pedley, on Sat 4 Jul 3:19PM

  13. nice to hear that! Well done Ronaldo. Now u can play in­ Madrid in peace and welcome at Old Trafford anytime.­ But plz, if you play against us make sure you don't­ score or even better fake an illness.

    From eric, on Sat 4 Jul 3:16PM
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