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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.

Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal’s first training session in Switzerland in preparation for the European Championship with ice wrapped around his right ankle Monday.

The winger looked to be fine throughout the session but before he returned to the dressing room, doctors taped the ice around his foot. He was not limping and did not appear to be in pain, but the Portuguese medical team didn’t immediately explain what had happened.

Portugal underwent a light training session a day after arriving in the lakeside town of Neuchatel for its final week of preparation before Saturday’s start of the tournament. The players trained and did a few drills before a short session with the ball at La Maladiere Stadium.

The morning practice session, which was closed to fans, lasted about an hour and a half. The team will also train in the afternoon. Tuesday’s practice was expected to be open to fans and tickets have been sold-out for days.

Newly signed Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa practised separately from teammates, running around the field and doing specific drills with a trainer.

Portugal, the Euro 2004 finalist, debuts Saturday against Turkey in Geneva. Host Switzerland and the Czech Republic are the other two teams in Group A.

About 5,000 fans greeted players and coaches when they arrived from Portugal on Sunday night, waving Portuguese flags and chanting loudly.

“We knew we would be welcomed in here, but this was beyond our expectations,” Portuguese football federation president Gilberto Madail said. “What we saw was unforgettable, but now we must focus on the work we have ahead of our first game.”

About 10,000 Portuguese fans went to Neuchatel to greet the squad on Sunday, city officials said.

Portugal will be based in Neuchatel at least until the semifinals if it progresses that far.

Under Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, Portugal is coming off successful campaigns in recent top competitions. After losing to Greece on home soil in the Euro 2004 final, Portugal reached the 2006 World Cup semifinals, losing to France.

Portugal beat Georgia 2-0 on Saturday in Viseu in its final warm-up match.

Spanish sports paper Marca claims that Ronaldo could follow in the footsteps of Ruud van Nistelrooy by requesting a transfer.

Billing it as an ‘unwritten law of English football’, the paper claims that a formal transfer request is used to indicate displeasure and a desire to move on.

The transfer list, which apparently is not replicated in Spain, is produced by clubs, but players can request in writing their desire to join it. Marca, of course, claims that Ronaldo “might” submit a letter of his own.

This would be done if he had the desire for a change of scenery after the European Championships - with, say, Real Madrid interested in his signature.

Marca further claims that Ruud van Nistelrooy took this step due to his “differences” with Alex Ferguson.

Manchester United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz has launched an savage attack on the Spanish country and Real Madrid in particular over what he believes are attempts to “naturalise” Cristiano Ronaldo.

Queiroz feels Madrid’s outspoken courting of his Portuguese compatriot is about more than their wish to snap up the gifted winger, claiming it is part of the long history and rivalry between Portugal and Spain.

“Cristiano Ronaldo will never be Spanish! As they will never take Olivenca again,” he told Portuguese newspaper Jornal do Noticias, referring to the small town on the disputed border between the two countries.

Queiroz also delved further into the historic rivalry, alluding to explorer Christopher Columbus - who both countries claim as theirs - and the 60-year Philippine Dynasty when Portugal was ruled by three Spanish kings until the bloodless revolution of 1640.

“They already did the same with Christopher Columbus, and it now seems they want to naturalise Cristiano Ronaldo,” added the United number two. “Have they already forgotten what we did to them in the past? We will never lose our patience.”

Ronaldo is currently with the Portuguese squad getting ready for the forthcoming European Championships, Queiroz knows the furore surrounding Ronaldo’s future could not have come at a worse time.

“It’s being done in a manner to distract the Portugal team, at the height of their preparations for the European Championships,” he said.

“But I am convinced that despite pressure from the Spanish sporting press he will not accept to change his nationality.

“However, it is an attack with a well-defined strategy and Portugal should be worried about that.”

Cristiano Ronaldo is trying to distance himself from the intense speculation regarding his Old Trafford future by insisting that, despite being tired after his recent successes, he’s now ready to perform at the very highest level for Portugal in the Euro’s

“I have a contract with Manchester United and at the moment I am only thinking about having a successful European Championship,” he said.

“I feel a little tired today (Friday) but I am going to have a rest in order to be ready for the Euros. I’m going to arrive there in form and anything is possible.”

The winger scored an unbelievable 42 goals for the United this season, but still vows that he will improve next season and add more silverware to his trophy cabinet.

“Every season at Manchester United I have improved. This season was spectacular and I scored many goals on the way to winning two important titles for the club.

“Next year I’m going to try and play even better and have an even better season than this one.

“I played a spectacular championship, a good Champions League and I am very happy with everything. It was my first European title and I want to win it many more times because the feeling is amazing.”

Cristiano Ronaldo again refused to commit himself immediately to Manchester United today when asked about whether he will be at Old Trafford at the end of the season.

The Portuguese international’s future with United has been the subject of mass speculation since Real Madrid’s president, Ramón Calderón, explained his desire to bring in the top man from the Premiership.

Although the 23-year-old has spoken of his own personal desire to stay at Manchester United on multiple occasions, he unveiled upon his arrival in Lisbon that his future may in fact only be decided in a couple of weeks.

“I do not have anything with Real Madrid,” Ronaldo said. “I have a contract with Manchester United and it is with my club that I will speak to. There can be further news in the next two weeks.”

Ronaldo, meanwhile, stated that he is committed to “repeating or improving” this season’s performances next campaign, a task that will certainly not be easy after he fired an incredible 42 goals during the current season.

On Portugal’s chances at Euro 2008, Ronaldo added: “It would be fantastic to be European champion for Portugal. It is a hard dream, but we are thinking game by game.

“The first game in the group stage will be crucial. We have conditions to create a great squad.”

Ronaldo and Manchester United winger, Nani, will now travel to Viseu, where the Portuguese national squad are currently training, ahead of the opening of the 2008 European Championships

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo assumed former great Luis Figo’s role on Tuesday as he was handed his number 7 shirt and named captain by Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The 23-year-old Manchester United winger – scorer of 41 goals in all competitions this campaign – will attempt to achieve something Figo never managed, guiding the Portuguese to a major senior title, having lost 1-0 to Greece in the Euro 2004 final.

Ronaldo also wears the number 7 shirt at United, which has been previously worn by George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham.

Ronaldo was chosen as captain over four players who previously captained the side – Nuno Gomes, Petit, Simao and Ricardo Carvalho – who are in the squad.

Portugal, who are currently training in the town of Viseu in central Portugal, are in Group A with co-hosts Switzerland, 2004 semi-finalists Czech Republic and 2002 World Cup semi-finalists Turkey. – AFP

Debate on whether the polarizing Manchester United megastar really is the best on the planet never fails to rouse the emotions, but for the coach of Portugal there is no debate.

“According to me, Ronaldo is the best player in the world,” boomed Scolari.

“And I hope that he will not just be the best with Manchester United, but also with the national side during Euro.

“Ronaldo has come on a lot as not only a player, but also and especially as a human being.

“However, the national side is not just dependant on Cristiano Ronaldo. If that was the case it would hardly be worth playing in the finals,” added the Brazilian, who is desperate to bring success to his adopted country during the big show in Switzerland and Austria this summer.

Ronaldo has amassed an astounding 41 goals during what has been a glorious season for United, but arguably has never quite managed to fulfill his potential on the international stage.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 41 goals for Manchester United this season and Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari wants Cristiano Ronaldo to replicate his brilliant club form after naming the winger in his Euro 2008 squad.

Ronaldo and Manchester United team-mate Nani were included in the 23-man party for the tournament, starting on 7 June.

“There is no doubt that Ronaldo is in great form but I cannot guarantee he will be in the same form as he’s been at Manchester United,” said Scolari.

Chelsea defenders Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira are also in the squad.

The Stamford Bridge outfit’s new £16.2m signing, right-back Jose Bosingwa, will move to the Blues after his stint with Portugal in Austria and Switzerland.

With the Champions League final to contest on 21 May, the United and Chelsea players will join up with the squad after the game in Moscow.  Portugal will be strongest down the flanks - through Nani, Simao Sabrosa, and of course one Cristiano Ronaldo

There was no place in Scolari’s Euro 2008 group for Chelsea’s former on-loan midfielder Maniche, who now plays for Inter Milan. The 30-year-old’s omission was the only surprise in the squad announcement.

Portugal finished as runners-up to Greece on home soil in 2004 and Scolari, who won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil, is expecting another strong performance.

“The expectations are the same as in 2004,” added Scolari, who will step down as Portugal coach after the competition.

“We have great quality to clinch the qualification in the first phase. I have total belief in this squad.”

Portugal are in Group A with the Czech Republic, Turkey and co-hosts Switzerland.

Portugal Squad
Goalkeepers: Ricardo Pereira (Real Betis), Quim Silva (Benfica), Rui Patricio (Sporting)

Defenders: Miguel Monteiro (Valencia), Jose Bosingwa (Porto), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Fernando Meira (VfB Stuttgart), Bruno Alves (Porto), Pepe (Real Madrid), Jorge Ribeiro (Boavista)

Midfielders: Raul Meireles (Porto), Joao Moutinho (Sporting), Deco (Barcelona), Armando Petit (Benfica), Miguel Veloso (Sporting)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Ricardo Quaresma (Porto), Nuno Gomes (Benfica), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Nani (Manchester United), Helder Postiga (Panathinaikos)