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Record crowd welcomes Ronaldo to Real Madrid

MADRID (AFP) – A capacity crowd of close to 80,000 people welcomed Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid on Monday, setting a new record for turnout at the presentation of a footballer, club officials said.

“I am very happy to be here,” the 24-year-old Portuguese winger told cheering fans at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in the Spanish capital after completing his much-desired move to the club from Manchester United.

“For me it is the realization of a childhood dream, which was to play for Real Madrid. I never expected the the stadium would be full just to see me. It is impressive,” he added.

The previous record for attendance at the unveiling of a footballer was set in July 1984 when Argentina’s Diego Maradona was presented at Naples after he joined the Italian side from FC Barcelona before 75,000 people.

But while fans had to pay to see Maradona don the Naples jersey for the first time, entry to Ronaldo’s presentation in Madrid was free.

Ronaldo, the 2008 FIFA world player of the year, was wearing the Number 9 jersey once sported by club legend Alfredo di Stefano.

The Argentine striker, Real’s honorary president, was present at the unveiling as was Portuguese legend and former Real player Eusebio.

The number 9 jersey was recently vacated by Argentine striker Javier Saviola who joined Portuguese side Benfica last month.

Real acquired the player from Manchester last month on a six-year deal worth 94 million euros (131 million dollars) and he will reportedly be paid 13 million euros each season, making him the most expensive player in the world.

Ronaldo, who spent six successful years at Manchester, arrived in Madrid on Monday on a private flight from his native Portugal where he was on holiday, sparking a media frenzy with dozens of photographers trailing his every move.

The head of Real’s medical services, Carlos Diez, said Ronaldo was “in perfect condition and looking forward to the beginning of the season” after the player underwent medical tests.

Fans, many equipped with food and drinks to ease a lengthy wait, starting gathering at the stadium in a Madrid business district hours before the official presentation, which lasted about 30 minutes, got underway at 9 pm (1900 GMT).

Real set up a large television screen outside the stadium for fans who were not able to enter the stadium to watch the ceremony.

Ronaldo will team up with Kaka, the 2007 FIFA world player, who signed with Real from AC Milan for 65 million euros from AC Milan in early June.

Kaka was officially unveiled on June 30 at the Bernabeu stadium before 55,000 fans, according to club figures.

The Brazilian was the first big name who construction magnate Florentino Perez signed since he returned in June for a second stint as president of Real.

Perez, who brought Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane to Real during his first term as the club’s president between 2000 and 2006, is seeking to rebuild a squad which trailed arch rivals Barcelona last season by reviving his policy of signing football superstars.

Among Real’s other signings is French striker Karim Benzema from Lyon and defender Raul Albiol, who joined from Spanish side Valencia.

Source: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Real´s ´Galactico´ president signs Pellegrini, Zidane

MADRID (AFP) – Florentino Perez, the inspiration behind the Real Madrid ‘Galacticos’, launched his second term as president on Monday by bringing in Chile’s Manuel Pellegrini as the club’s new coach and France legend Zinedine Zidane as a top advisor.

The club also announced former Argentine striker and coach Jorge Valdano as its new director general.

“Real Madrid C.F. and Manuel Pellegrini have reached a deal for the Chilean to become the first team head coach,” Real said in a statement.

It said he would be officially presented at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Tuesday.

He replaces Juande Ramos, who began a six-month contract in mid-December in place of Germany’s Bernd Schuster.

Pellegrini, 55, a qualified civil engineer, joined Villareal in 2004 from River Plate of Argentina and was under contract with the club until 2010.

In his first season there, Villareal qualified for the Champions League by finishing third in La Liga. Last season, they were second behind champions Real Madrid.

In a speech on taking office Monday, the 62-year-old Perez vowed to build “the best club of the 21st century.

“We will devote all our effort to building a spectacular team with great players who are role models on and off the pitch. A club where ethics are indestructible and where solidarity will be a basic cornerstone of behaviour,” he said.

The construction magnate is retaking the reins of Real, Spain’s historically most successful team and the world’s richest football club by revenues, for the next four years after standing unopposed in elections for president.

Real had been led on an interim basis by Vicente Boluda after Ramon Calderon stepped down in January following allegations that he rigged voting at the club’s last annual general assembly in December.

Perez led Real from 2000 to 2006, when it earned the nickname “Los Galacticos”, winning the Primera Liga twice and European Champions League with such stars as Zidane, Ronaldo, Luis Figo, David Beckham and Michael Owen.

Zidane’s transfer from Juventus in 2000 cost Real a world record 75 million euros.

The former France captain now becomes “adviser to the president” at Real.

Perez had promised to give both Zidane and Valdano senior positions at Real if his comeback bid was successful. Valdano had acted as Real’s sports director during his last term in office.

He has not mentioned any names regarding top signings but Spanish media speculate that Manchester United’s Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, Liverpool’s Spanish star Xabi Alonso and AC Milan’s Brazilian playmaker Kaka are all in his sights for next season.

“We must recover the dreams, stability and lost time,” said Perez. “The road ahead will be difficult, but we have the passion and necessary ideas to overcome the great challenges of this complicated time.”

Perez had quit Real in 2006 after the club went a third straight season without a trophy, its worst run in more than half a century, but he has remained popular with supporters.

This season, the club’s arch-rivals Barcelona won a unique treble of league, Spanish Cup and Champions League trophies under debutante coach Pep Guardiola.

Real finished second in La Liga and exited the first knockout stage of the Champions League for the fifth straight season.

It ended the season on Sunday with a 2-1 loss to lowly Osasuna.

Source: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Benitez unsure if Mourinho is fit for Real job

Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez has contributed to the long running war of words between him and Internazionale boss Jose Mourinho.

The Spanish manager said he was unsure if the former Chelsea gaffer is the right man to take over at Real Madrid.

Benitez also backed Real’s current coach Manuel Pellegrini, declaring that the Chilean has behaved impeccably in the wake of speculation about him being replaced at the helm.

“Pellegrini has done a great job and has to be given great respect because he is still coach of Real Madrid. He has shown exemplary behaviour, because it is not pleasant to hear talk about who’s going to replace you,” AS quoted Benitez as saying.

“I know Mourinho is crazy about coaching Real Madrid. I do not know if Mourinho is the right person to train to Madrid.”

Benitez also refused to confirm or deny that he would, one day, be interested in returning to the Bernabeu to coach the first team.

“I’m from Madrid, I’m at home in this city have been linked to the club and it is a great club, but I cannot say anything more,” he added.

Source: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Maldini and Ancelotti set for San Siro farewell

ROME (AFP) – After 24 seasons as one of Italy’s finest defenders and AC Milan’s emblem, Paolo Maldini will play his last match at the San Siro this weekend when AS Roma are in town.

But while it has been known for some time that this game — while possibly not Maldini’s last ever in a Milan shirt as the club travels to Fiorentina next weekend for their last game of the season — will be his final bow in front of his home fans, the suggestion that it will also be coach Carlo Ancelotti’s swansong in front of the Milan faithful is more recent.

Ancelotti has been at the helm since 2001 but the voices announcing his imminent departure at the season’s end have been becomming more frequent and noisy.

It is now generally accepted in the Italian media that the 49-year-old will leave despite there being another year to run on his contract and he is widely expected to take over the reins at Chelsea in the summer.

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani did nothing to dampen the rumours in midweek either when rather than confirming the club’s intent to keep Ancelotti he instead seemingly delayed announcing the inevitable.

“I hope to say something on Monday because it will mean we have achieved direct Champions League qualification,” he said.

A victory for Milan would assure them of a top three finish and direct Champions League group stage qualification next season while several other permutations, including the failure to win by either Juventus or Fiorentina at Siena and Lecce respectively, would also see Milan secure a top three spot.

But while that would seem like a good achievement by almost any other team’s standards, for the Milan hierarchy it is simply not enough.

They are waiting for a first title since 2004 and will have to hold on for at least another year after their defeat at Udinese last weekend ensured city rivals Inter Milan claimed a fourth straight Serie A crown.

If Ancelotti’s departure were to be announced after this weekend it would follow hot on the heels of Claudio Ranieri’s sacking from third-placed Juve on Monday.

Having finished third in their first season back in Serie A and being Inter’s closest challengers for most of this season, that still was not enough to placate the Juve board and likewise Ancelotti’s continued inability to spark a title challenge down to the wire almost certainly will see him shown the door.

It would thus be a bitter sweet day in Milan with one hero being celebrated and applauded into retirement from a glorious playing career while another hero — Ancelotti was a hugely successful player at Milan before also winning two Champions League crowns as a coach — faces the inglorious prospect of being fired.

If the rumours are true, though, it could even be seen as a career move with a higher salary expected at Chelsea and a new league to add to his CV.

As Inter are already champions it is only the minor issues that still need to be decided in Serie A.

Two from Milan, Juve and Fiorentina will join Inter in the top three this season and next season’s Champions League group stages.

Either Fiorentina or Genoa could finish fourth and thus play Champions League qualifiers next season while thwo from Torino, Bologna and Lecce will join already relegated Reggina in Serie B.

And finally there is UEFA Europa League qualification to be sorted. Lazio already have one spot having won the Italian Cup.

Fiorentina or Genoa will take a second while Roma, Palermo or Udinese will battle for the final berth.

Fixtures:

Sunday

AC Milan v AS Roma, Atalanta v Palermo, Cagliari v Inter Milan, Catania v Napoli, Chievo v Bologna, Lecce v Fiorentina, Sampdoria v Udinese, Siena v Juventus, Torino v Genoa

Played Wednesday

Lazio 1 (Zarate 26) Reggina 0

Source: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Lippi rules out Juventus return

MILAN, Italy (AFP) – Italy coach Marcello Lippi on Thursday dismissed speculation he would return to Juventus after next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

Lippi, who guided Italy to World Cup glory in Germany three years ago, has a contract with the Italian Football Association until the end of the next tournament.

But the coach who led Juve to five league titles and a Champions League during two previous spells at the club does not want to retrace his steps.

“I’m not going back to Juventus, neither as coach nor as a technical director, have I made myself clear,” he said during a sporting press congress in Milan.

“Whatever anyone says, it’s not true, I’m not going back to Juve.

“The reality is this and this alone … the only truth is that I went to lunch with (Juve general manager ) Blanc just as I go to lunch with (AC Milan vice-president Adriano) Galliani, with the Lazio president (Claudio Lotito) and with (AS Roma general manager) Bruno Conti.

“I’m the coach of the national team and I’m thinking exclusively about that.”

Source: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Sacchi praises new Italy boss Prandelli

Arrigo Sacchi is full of praise for Cesare Prandelli, as “he is a great Coach and a great man.”

Fiorentina boss Prandelli will take over from current Italy coach Marcello Lippi after the World Cup.

“Cesare has proved numerous times, first with Parma and then Fiorentina, that he is a great Coach and a great man,” said Sacchi.

Sacchi also worked alongside Prandelli at the Stadio Tardini when he was a director for Parma.

“He was excellent with Parma, as we finished fifth twice and even battled for a Champions League spot.

“Above all he got the best out of many players. My recollection of him as a Coach and a human being are wonderful. I respect him a great deal and wish him all the best.”

However, Sacchi warns that it is quite a big step to go from club football to the Squadra Azzurra.

“The work is different, as you are above all a selector rather than a Coach. He must hope all of Italian football works well throughout the season and that clubs use their youngsters more than they currently do. Then it’s up to him to find that touch of class to complete the squad.

“Prandelli must make the most of his experiences at club level, but in general international football lacks two important elements: time and day-to-day work.”

Marcello Lippi will leave after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but the team already knows Prandelli is set to take over.

“It absolutely won’t be a distraction for the side, as the World Cup is too important and every player will try to give their best.

“There can be no alibis or excuses. If Italy don’t do well, it certainly will not be because Prandelli was appointed before the tournament.”

Source: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Woods has good reason to look ahead in US PGA

CHASKA, Minnesota — Tiger Woods barely had a chance to down a post-round bottle of Gatorade Tiger, and already he was thinking ahead. The weather report for Friday's second round in the U.S. PGA Championship was in, and it was clear Woods liked the idea of strong winds raking Hazeltine Country Club while others try to catch him from behind.

By the weekend he should have his plan to win a gold medal in the 2016 Olympics down, too. Woods will be 40 by the time he gets a shot at Olympic glory, but by then he will have long since been declared the greatest golfer ever and it will give him some incentive to get off his yacht and take on a new challenge.

Most in golf would crown Woods right now, if only he would sit still long enough for the coronation. The things he has done for himself and the sport are staggering, but he's not about to name himself the best until he stands on the 18th green somewhere holding major championship trophy No. 19.

The way he cruised through the opening round of the U.S. PGA on Thursday, that time will not be far away.

Hold off on the engraving on the Wanamaker Trophy just for now. This is Minnesota, after all, so there's always a chance for a tornado or a freak August snowstorm to hit.

Barring that or Woods hitting a sleeve of balls into the Hazeltine Lake, though, No. 15 is in the bag.

Woods himself said so after his seemingly effortless 67 on a monster of a course gave him his first lead after the opening round of a major in four years. Well, maybe he didn't come right out and say it, but it doesn't take much to read between the lines.

'When I'm playing well," Woods said, "I usually don't make that many mistakes."

Hopefully, the other players weren't listening. They usually genuflect when Woods walks by anyway, and it wouldn't look good for them to just up and quit before the tournament reaches the weekend.

Actually, one did. John Daly showed up in wild pants, then played some wild golf before claiming a back injury and heading out of town in his custom RV.

The fact is nobody beats Woods when he gets out in front in a major, and he got out in front in this one so early that they barely had time to show him on television. The margin may only be a stroke over Padraig Harrington, but the message his flawless opening round sent made it seem even bigger.

Woods is statistically a stroke a round better than his nearest challenger even in a year he's been making mistakes — and a lot of them. But he didn't make many while winning his last two tournaments and he didn't on this day, hitting fairway after fairway and green after green on his way to five birdies.

There was none of the wildness that plagued him off the tee at the other three majors this year, none of the frustration that cost him a lost weekend at the British Open.

Just cool, collected golf.

"No big tee shots way right or way left or anything like that," playing partner Rich Beem said. "It was easy."

The huge crowds that lined fairways 10 to 20 deep certainly appreciated the effort. Minnesotans love their golf and anyone who appreciates great talent has to love what Woods has done for the sport.

Those behind golf's inclusion in the Olympics have to be loving him even more. Without Woods' enthusiastic endorsement, it's hard to imagine that the sport would have won a recommendation on Thursday from the International Olympic Committee that all but assured golf a spot in the 2016 Games.

Just why Woods likes the idea is easy to see. As the face of the sport he stands to profit most if the Olympics spurs golf to take off in countries like, shall we say, China. He'll get the endorsement contracts and course design deals that will add even more millions to his already fat bank accounts.

But it's more than the money. Jack Nicklaus and his 18 majors were always the target on Woods' bedroom wall growing up in Southern California, but even as great as Nicklaus was, he never won an Olympic gold.

It's one more thing that will separate Woods from Nicklaus, one more conquest that will keep others behind him from ever matching his feats on the golf course.

Source: http://thewebtalk.net