Platini challenges Cristiano Ronaldo To Prove Himself On Bigger Stage

voldemort · 02-01-2008, 03:24 PM

Cristiano Ronaldo has annihilated all in his path for over a year now, with his best form coming in October 2007 up until the present day, and it doesn't look like letting up.
The Portuguese has netted 27 goals in as many games in all competitions so far this season, the last of them arguably being the best: a devastating 25-yard free kick against Portsmouth.
The one criticism levelled at Ronaldo since his rise to prominence in 2006 has been his failure to produce in the big games.
True, any player will struggle against better opposition, but there is a trend even his most staunch supporters would have to recognise, that the 22-year-old has a tendency to under-perform, if only slightly, in the big games.
While he is at the height of excellence, Platini has spoken publicly to somewhat bring the Manchester United man down a peg.
"If Ronaldo is the best player in the world or Europe he will have to prove it in the Euros because that will be the only way we can judge him, when all the best players will have had the chance to be recognised," he declared.
"It's difficult to compare players in competitions and teams. Is it more difficult to play right wing in Manchester than it is in Italy, where it doesn't exist?
"Ronaldo has a number of advantages to his game and, of course, the last matches in the finals of the European Championship this summer will be decisive."
The former Sporting star is within a shot of breaking the all-time goal-scoring record for the Premiership of 34, while he is on 19, and his free kick is already being remembered as one of the greatest of its kind, one even the great Platini would have been proud of.
Ronaldo's team-mates were left almost in disbelief by the goal when speaking to the press after the game.
"I just turned around and saw it go in the top corner," recalled Michael Carrick. "It was a fantastic free-kick, probably the best one he's scored.
"He practises an awful lot and obviously the more you do that, the better you'll get. A few have flown in this season and I don't think that's down to luck.
"We all know the ability he's got. I'm not sure how he does it, to be honest, but you have to admire his technique."
Nemanja Vidic added: "It was the best goal I've seen in a game I've played in."
Ronaldo has scored 20 times in 53 appearances for Portugal.

source:goal.com

02-01-2008, 03:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
voldemort Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 8,202	Platini challenges Cristiano Ronaldo To Prove Himself On Bigger Stage Cristiano Ronaldo has annihilated all in his path for over a year now, with his best form coming in October 2007 up until the present day, and it doesn't look like letting up. The Portuguese has netted 27 goals in as many games in all competitions so far this season, the last of them arguably being the best: a devastating 25-yard free kick against Portsmouth. The one criticism levelled at Ronaldo since his rise to prominence in 2006 has been his failure to produce in the big games. True, any player will struggle against better opposition, but there is a trend even his most staunch supporters would have to recognise, that the 22-year-old has a tendency to under-perform, if only slightly, in the big games. While he is at the height of excellence, Platini has spoken publicly to somewhat bring the Manchester United man down a peg. "If Ronaldo is the best player in the world or Europe he will have to prove it in the Euros because that will be the only way we can judge him, when all the best players will have had the chance to be recognised," he declared. "It's difficult to compare players in competitions and teams. Is it more difficult to play right wing in Manchester than it is in Italy, where it doesn't exist? "Ronaldo has a number of advantages to his game and, of course, the last matches in the finals of the European Championship this summer will be decisive." The former Sporting star is within a shot of breaking the all-time goal-scoring record for the Premiership of 34, while he is on 19, and his free kick is already being remembered as one of the greatest of its kind, one even the great Platini would have been proud of. Ronaldo's team-mates were left almost in disbelief by the goal when speaking to the press after the game. "I just turned around and saw it go in the top corner," recalled Michael Carrick. "It was a fantastic free-kick, probably the best one he's scored. "He practises an awful lot and obviously the more you do that, the better you'll get. A few have flown in this season and I don't think that's down to luck. "We all know the ability he's got. I'm not sure how he does it, to be honest, but you have to admire his technique." Nemanja Vidic added: "It was the best goal I've seen in a game I've played in." Ronaldo has scored 20 times in 53 appearances for Portugal. source:goal.com