ronaldo today

His time is now: Ronaldo's chance to make history & get one over on Messi

The Real Madrid star has yet to taste success at international level, while for his fellow Portuguese countrymen the drought at major tournaments has lasted even longer

For Ronaldo and for Portugal the parallels could not be more clear. The Selecao, in their long history, have never won a major tournament. Despite having boasted wonderful players from the likes of Mario Coluna to the 'Black Panther', Eusebio. From Fernando Chalana to Paulo Futre, from Rui Barros to Luis Figo, from Paulo Sosa to Rui Costa, the Portuguese have always found a way to fall one step short of glory.

Take the 1966 World Cup, when Eusebio finished top scorer with nine goals, but Bobby Charlton and England blocked their path to the final. Or Euro 2004, when, against all the odds, Otto Rehhagel’s Greece beat the host nation in the final in Lisbon. Or even the 2006 World Cup. This time Zinedine Zidane denied Figo and co. in the semi-final from the penalty spot.

That’s the Portuguese way. Fourth, third, even second, but never champions. This could be their time though.

This time they did not start among the favourites, but safely negotiated the 'Group of Death', eliminating the World Cup finalist Netherlands on the way, and then saw off the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals. Thanks to Ronaldo.

Tears aplenty | Ronaldo has never known success at international level

Ever since he debuted with the national side, the Portuguese have dreamt of seeing Ronaldo play as he did for Manchester United, and as he does for Real Madrid. They wanted the bold performances and the avalanche of goals, like the 60 he netted last season for Los Blancos. But it has not been the same when he has pulled on the national team shirt.

He scored just three times in Euros 2004 and 2008, and two in the last two World Cups. One of them came against Iran, the other against North Korea. Such were his performances in South Africa two years ago that Eduardo Galeano, a Uruguayan writer, commented: "They said this would be Cristiano Ronaldo’s tournament, but no one has seen him. Maybe he was too busy to call in."

Since Sunday, June 17 when Portugal faced the Netherlands, things have gone well. Very well. But that was not enough. The Lusitanian fans and media want their captain to be like Diego Maradona in 1986 when he led Argentina to victory in the World Cup in Mexico. Ronaldo is not Maradona, and this Portugal is not that Argentina, nor are they Real Madrid.

Ronaldo does not have Xabi Alonso to rely on, nor Mesut Ozil. But that matters little. If he wants to win something with his country, if he wants to enter into the Hall of Fame, alongside Eusebio and Luis Figo, then he must drag them to victory. This should be Ronaldo’s Portugal, and not in name only.

There is pressure on Ronaldo because Spain cancelled him out at the last World Cup and he wants to gain redemption in front of the same public that sees him every Sunday, that whistles his every touch

There is massive pressure on Cristiano to win, because success with the Selecao would silence those critics who support the hypothesis that Ronaldo is too anxious and is unable to be there for his side at the decisive moments.

He will be desperate to ensure Portugal emerge triumphant in the Iberian duel because Spain cancelled him out at the last World Cup and he wants to gain redemption in front of the same public that sees him every Sunday, that whistles his every touch. He wants to win against four Real Madrid colleagues and his regular nemeses from Barcelona.

What better occasion to demonstrate that he is strong enough for the task? What better moment to prove he is worthy of the Ballon d’Or in 2012? A title that, four years after his last award, has since been in the sole possession of Lionel Messi.

Tottenham could land Sahin in return as Real Madrid prepare £30m swoop for Modric

Tottenham could ease the blow of losing Luka Modric by landing Real Madrid’s Nuri Sahin in exchange.

The Spanish giants are the frontrunners to land the Croatian midfielder despite strong interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.

But Real boss Jose Mourinho is confident of landing Modric and is ready to offer Sahin as bait in any deal.

On the move? Nuri Sahin may form part of a deal for Tottenham

 

Tottenham value Modric at £40million, although they are unlikely to receive an offer as high as that.