Cristiano Ronaldo: The Biography by Guillem Balague

Author:Guillem Balague [Balague, Guillem]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Orion
Published: 2015-11-04T23:00:00+00:00

Ronaldo’s 2006–07 Premier League campaign was stunning. He had never scored so many goals (twenty-three in all competitions) or provided so many assists (thirteen, the same as Arsenal’s Fàbregas).

Plaudits (large and small) flooded in for the twenty-two-year-old who discovered the inherent happiness that top-level consistency can provide.

Among the small ones was one from a linesman who said to Ronaldo when the player passed him on the pitch, ‘Play with a smile on your face, we like to see you smile.’

Among the big ones was being named Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year by the Professional Footballers’ Association (nobody had won both awards in the same season since Andy Gray in 1977). He also scooped the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year and Professional Footballers’ Association Fans’ Player of the Year awards.

Ferguson waited for the opportune moment to make his own tribute.

He signed Anderson and Nani in summer 2007, and Ronaldo turned his growing dressing-room presence into something more: he was the leader of the group of new arrivals, facilitated by a common language and style of play. He was happy to protect and guide them.

On top of that, the manager wanted to acknowledge his work on and off the field by offering him the emblematic captain’s armband for a home clash against Bolton. He had reached such a level of maturity that nobody grumbled when he was asked to represent the club in such a way. Ronaldo responded as usual when he feels appreciated and is offered responsibility: with a sterling performance and both goals in a comfortable victory.

He had won everyone over. Opposition fans, the press. No doubts remained. The Manchester United platform had allowed him to reach such a level that not even the sky was the limit. The rest of the team was fully behind him and willingly followed his lead.

In many people’s eyes, Ronaldo had become a small god.

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