Cristiano Ronaldo says he now feels "at home" at Manchester United and wants to stay at Old Trafford. Only four months after his "dream" move to Real Madrid fell over, the winger's itchy feet appear to have been soothed and all it took was being handed the Ballon d'Or (Golden Ball).
Ronaldo, who was in Paris yesterday with his long-suffering manager Sir Alex Ferguson to receive the European player of the year trophy, said he was now content. "I've been playing for Manchester for five years, I feel at home," he said. "There have been prizes won by this club both collectively and individually. I'm happy at Manchester and want to stay."
Ronaldo joined United in 2003 and scored 42 goals last season to help them win Premier and Champions League titles. However, the 23-year-old said he wanted more. "I am an ambitious person. I don't want it to stop here. I think we have to keep trying to win trophies... I am on the right track. I am the Golden Ball winner today, which motivates me even more."
Ronaldo, who beat Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Liverpool's Fernando Torres to the prize, said he needed to maintain his high standards. "It's always special to reach this level, the important thing is to stay there. The idea is to keep progressing." He also praised his team-mates. "Without my team I couldn't have won it [the trophy] and I have to thank them also."
Ferguson was effusive about Ronaldo, saying he could match France's Michel Platini in lifting the prestigious trophy several times. "I think that when a player gets to 26 that's when they begin to mature so these next three or four years for Cristiano will prove my point. He'll win more and I hope he'll win them at Manchester United."
Ferguson, meanwhile, has called for the return of the Scotland versus England international. The teams last contested the traditional annual fixture in 1989, although they have met at Euro 96 and in Euro 2000 qualification matches since. Gordon Smith, the Scottish Football Association chief executive, is to hold further talks with his English counterparts early next year about the idea. "I'm sure it would bring the best out of the players . . . It couldn't be looked upon as a 'friendly'," Ferguson said.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
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