Ron ready to deliver in Euro’s
Posted by: admin in portugal, tags: cristiano ronaldo, euro 2008, portugal, viva ronaldo, vivaronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has already won a Champions League and Premier League double with Manchester United, and now goes for a remarkable treble if he can inspire Portugal to victory in Euro 2008.
The 23-year-old winger, who scored 42 goals in all competitions for United, will be the key as Portugal look to ease their way past co-hosts Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Turkey, their opening Group A opponents on Saturday.
Portugal, coached by Luiz Felipe Scolari, head into the tournament free of the pressures that burdened them as hosts four years ago. They froze in the final and were beaten by Greece.
Scolari said that Ronaldo could end the tournament as the undisputed best player in the world. “We know that there might be some doubt over which club he might be playing for next season but I don’t expect him to have too many sleepless nights,” Scolari said. “Instead I expect him to have a great Euro 2008 and prove himself to be the best player in the world.”
If Ronaldo fails to shine in Austria and Switzerland, a star could emerge from a growing group of promising players who have yet to become household names such as France’s midfielder Jeremy Toulalan and striker Karim Benzema, who helped secure the double with Lyon. Benzema, aged 20, has had a superb season, topping the Ligue 1 scoring charts with 20 goals.
Two other strikers also have the chance to display their skills to a global audience – Marco Borriello of Italy and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar of Netherlands.
Borriello, 25, has blossomed since moving from AC Milan to promoted Genoa last year, leading the Serie A scoring charts for weeks and ending with 19 goals.
Huntelaar, 24, easily topped the list of Dutch league scorers with 33 goals for Ajax.
Two Spanish players who should catch the eye after impressive seasons are Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas. Another midfielder to watch is Croatia’s Luka Modric, who has just signed for Tottenham and directs the play for an outstanding team that could be dark horses for the trophy.
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