Happy Birthday Cristiano Ronaldo!

The Portugal winger turns 24 today, but is still hungry for more trophies success with Manchester United...


Despite nursing his way back to full fitness following an ankle injury that was initially expected to keep the Portuguese international sidelined for three months, Cristiano Ronaldo returned in late September.

He is yet to hit top form, but is still one of the most efficient attackers in European football having beaten the goalkeepers of Everton; West Brom; Derby County; Gamba Osaka; Stoke City; Hull City; West Ham United; West Brom; Bolton; and Middlesbrough.

The latest recipient of FIFA's prestigious World Player of the Year award turns 24 today, and despite lifting aloft the Championship League, the Premier League, and the FIFA Club World Cup in the space of a year, the trickster is still desperate for more success with Manchester United.

"I’ve spoken to some experienced players who have a great history in the game and they’ve said, it’s not what you do in one season, it’s staying at the top level, that is the challenge," he informed the club's official website.

"I have to carry on like that. If I don’t perform, I know people will start to criticise me and I don’t want that. I’m an ambitious player and I want to win many, many more things.

Last season's 42-goal phenomenon has been constantly linked with a move to Real Madrid, and the night he was awarded the World's greatest player of 2008, fresh rumours were printed in the Spanish and British press indicating that a coprighting of the term CR9 had been undertaken.

"I feel at home in Manchester," he said, perhaps refuting the notion he was unhappy with life in the North West. "I’ve been here since I was 18. I like living here and my family like to visit. The only bad thing is there are no direct planes from Madeira!

"But my mum and sister like to visit, it’s a nice place, nice people, they’re always good with me, no one gives me any problems. My life is brilliant!" he beamed.

Ronaldo's mother wants him at Real

Cristiano Ronaldo's mother wants the World Footballer to leave Manchester United for Real Madrid, according to fellow-Portugal international Pepe.

"Cristiano Ronaldo's mother has a dream: seeing her son play for Real Madrid. And everybody knows that mothers carry great weight," Pepe told Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) in an interview.

Pepe is a good friend of Ronaldo's and he plays for a club, Real Madrid, that has been after the winger for a long time. Last year, the operation to sign him failed over the staunch opposition of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

Pepe, a great fan of Ronaldo, explained that his mother, Dolores, wants him to move to Spain soon.

"Both his mother and all his family as well as himself have made it clear that their dream is to play for Real Madrid. It is a dream that his mother has and a dream that he has too. Now we will see what happens," the centre-back said.

As to Ronaldo's chances of settling in in the Spanish capital, Pepe has few doubts.

"He would not have any problems. This is a very good changing-room atmosphere. They received me very well, and with Cristiano there would not be a problem either."

Pepe smiles each time he thinks of Ronaldo - who turned 24 last Thursday - as a teammate. He stresses, moreover, that the superstar portrays an image that does not match what he is really like.

"People have an idea of him as a person which is completely different from the real thing. I have known him since he played for Sporting Lisbon and he is a very simple person who, like any human being, likes to dress well and to have the best stuff. Since he is in a position to buy the best, he does so."

The Real Madrid defender thinks Ronaldo's personality is perfect for a major club, contrary to popular belief that he may be inclined to behave like a conceited prima donna.

"Ronaldo is an incredible person. He likes to jump and joke with everyone. He is the Portugal captain, but he is the first to be jumping around with everyone else," Pepe said.

One of the season's debates is the permanent comparison between Ronaldo and Barcelona striker Lionel Messi, as to who is the better player?

Pepe votes for Ronaldo.

"They are different footballers. For me, Cristiano has more points in his favour because he heads the ball well, he is stronger and he scores goals. Messi has quality, dribbles and scores goals. For a coach, I think Cristiano is better because he is more complete," he said.

The Brazilian-born Pepe, whose full name is Kepler Laveran Lima Ferreira, also spoke of Real Madrid's chances in an edition of Spain's La Liga that is clearly dominated by Barcelona.

He insists that the league is not lost, although the Catalan side has a 12-point lead over its arch-rival from the capital.

"Of course not. It is not impossible to win. It does not depend on us, but we have to keep fighting and put pressure on Barcelona," Pepe said.

Ronaldo wants more at 24

Twenty-four today, Cristiano Ronaldo has his work cut out if he's to equal or top everything he achieved at 23. But as he told MUTV's Stewart Gardner recently, for all his glories so far, his ambition still burns brightly...

You won everything in 2008… how do you follow that in 2009?
I’ve spoken to some experienced players who have a great history in the game and they’ve said, it’s not what you do in one season, it’s staying at the top level, that is the challenge. I have to carry on like that. If I don’t perform, I know people will start to criticise me and I don’t want that. I’m an ambitious player and I want to win many, many more things.

How did you go from scoring a few goals in your first few seasons, to 42?
When I arrived at 18 I was a good player, but not in decision-making, like whether I have to pass the ball or dribble. Winning trophies and being at this club, it gives you maturity, and I have learnt a lot. When you’re playing around great players you learn many things. So I’ve improved every season, and the last season was the best of them all. But I want more – this season I want to score the same amount of goals, or more if it’s possible. I know it will be hard, but I have it in my head that it’s possible.

What’s your favourite goal from last season?
It’s hard, but I have a few! The header in Rome, the free-kick against Portsmouth, and the flick against Aston Villa. I’ll choose those!

What's the secret of your free-kicks?
Many people have asked me, but there is no secret! That’s just my style of shooting, and everyone has their own style. I like to hit it strong, the ball starts to move


Are you bothered by the booing at away grounds?
It’s normal for me now. If it doesn’t happen I’m thinking, “Why aren’t they booing me?!” Maybe they think if they boo, I’ll lose my concentration, but it doesn’t happen: I like it!

Some say you don’t get enough protection – has that changed?
The referees have a very hard job and I respect them, but sometimes I don’t agree with what happens. If you want to have a good league and quick football, you have to protect the skilful players, because they are the ones that put on a show and that’s what the fans want. But there are some very good referees in the Premier League.

How important is it to entertain?
I like it when people come to the games and see nice moments, nice tricks, but you have to do it for the team. You can’t do well in every game and people must understand that.

Who are your best friends at the club?
I speak more with the Portuguese-speaking players like Nani, Anderson, Rafael, Manucho, but I could say everyone. Carlos, Pat, Rio, Vida, Edwin... the team spirit at United is great and sometimes it's the most important thing. There is a togetherness, you can have a joke with everyone. I think that’s why the team works well, why we win things.

Previously, we published another extract in which Ronaldo talks about transfer speculation and his future plans. You'll find this in Exclusive Interviews.