Ronaldo targets 50 goals

United star aims higher for 2008-09 season

Last updated: 12th May 2008

Ronaldo targets 50 goals

Ronaldo with the Premier League trophy

I think I've not just improved this season; I try to improve every year. I'm better now than five years ago.

Cristiano Ronaldo
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Manchester United's player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo has vowed to try to score 50 goals next season after his amazing tally this year.

Ronaldo completed a clean awards sweep at United's end-of-season awards for the second successive season.

The Portugal winger, whose 41 goals in all competitions helped United retain their Premier League title, retained both the fans' and players' player of the year awards.

Ronaldo also won the goal of the season award for his free-kick at home to Portsmouth in January.

Asked whether he will try to go for the 50-goal mark next season, Ronaldo laughed and said: "Fifty? I don't know. I'll try my best.

Amazing

"I don't look for goals, I look to play well and if the goals are coming, it's good."

Asked on MUTV about the title celebrations after the win at Wigan, Ronaldo said: "Sometimes you don't have the words to say what it feels like to be a champion. It's amazing.

"I would have preferred it if it was at Old Trafford because the atmosphere would have been brilliant but we won at the JJB and it's very good to be champions."

Ronaldo admitted he had not expected the title race to go right to the wire.

"To be honest, no," he said. "The feeling is better though, it is a tough Premier League this season but when the referee finished the game (against Wigan) and you can say 'we are champions now' the feeling is great, because we worked for nine months to win this title.

"I feel very proud, very happy, everything."

As for his development as a player, Ronaldo continued: "I think I've not just improved this season; I try to improve every year. I'm better now than five years ago.

Showdown

"I think at the right club, playing with the right players, you learn all the time. This season has been good for me because I've scored many goals, the team have played fantastically to win the Premier League and we're in the final of the Champions League."

As focus switches to that showdown with Chelsea in Moscow next week, Ronaldo said: "It's going to be fantastic if we win the Champions League. The feeling is going to be amazing if we win.

"In the final you never know, it is 50-50. I'm very happy and proud to play in the final, this is my first time. I feel very excited, the lads have belief and it is a great opportunity for all of the players. The lads want to win and of course I want to win as well.

"We have a great opportunity. Why not? I'm sure in this game that if you have the opportunity to win, you win."

Comments (31)

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Bury red devil . (Manchester United fan) says...

Have some class boys, your jealousy of Manchester United is embarassing. Cardiff! A real team, don't make me laugh low league long ball rubbish supported by fans stuck in the 80's. Have some respect for the champions of England. Follow, follow, follow cause United are going to Moscow There'll be thousands of Reds, we'll be out our heads cause United are going to Moscow

Posted 08:38 13th May 2008

Samuel A (Manchester United fan) says...

Ronaldo is a fantastic player.His ability when he's on the ball is superb and his control is wonderful.Just to c wat he can do on d ball can keep u up all nite.He might reach 50 if he shines in the big matches.

Posted 07:41 13th May 2008

Karl B (Manchester United fan) says...

Am I the only United fan who still has a problem with this player. Granted, the story above has been twisted in the usual way but either way I would doubt very much whether he will have a season like this again. Time & time again Ronaldo fails to deliver on the big stage. He is definitely NOT the best United player ever & still throws his toys out of the pram when things arent going his/the teams way. If your 1-0 down to Derby, Portsmouth, Villa then he can get you a goal but when we have needed goals or big performances(Both home and away to Barca and away to Chelsea being case in point) he has not delivered. He is constantly marked out of games against the big guns. I would happily sell an replace with Messi/Kaka/Gerrard. This team is still incredibly weak in Midfield and often easily overun. We have flattered to deceive this season at times.

Posted 05:13 13th May 2008

Kenny Ashton (Newcastle United fan) says...

To anyone who dares knock Ronaldos performances this season, I bet he ran your team ragged this season!! I don't see why he can't score 50 in a season, he's the most amazing talent this sport has ever seen!! And as far as Torres is concerned, before this season the most goals he'd scored in one season was 21. So Liam Hartnett, if you think he'll score more than Ronaldo, you've got another thing coming!

Posted 01:51 13th May 2008

Ali Hussain (Manchester United fan) says...

Look and listen all haters of ronaldo all i got to say is that he is a goal machine now it doesnt matter how a player scores what actually matters in how many he scores !!!! ronaldo is definantley the bnest player in the world he got everything and all you liverpool,chelsea and arsenal fans are completley jelouse u aint gt him cause he beats all he drogba-diver torres and the adebayors. anyway this is to alll ronaldo and united fans 'he plays on the left he plays on the right . that boi ronaldo makes england look shyte' vivvvaaaaaaa ronaldoooooo vivaaaaa ronaldoooooooooooo

Posted 23:05 12th May 2008

Stuart Owens (Cardiff City fan) says...

People who critisise Ronaldo are dilusional idiots. He is by far the best in the world. Goes missing in big games, get real he has scored in all big games this year apart from chelsea which he was a sub, and he also missed a pen against barce, people can miss pens you know, remeber the world cup 2 years ago when fat frank, beckham and stevie g missed crucial pens on a bigger stage. There is no real argument about him being over rated just thick heads jelous that he does not play for their team.

Posted 22:56 12th May 2008

Nathan Griffin (Leicester City fan) says...

Ronaldo is without a doubt the best player in the word at the moment, All you Liverpool fans saying Fernando Torres will be better, get a grip, Torres is good, but Ronaldo is better. A winger, and he still scores more than Strikers, The best set peice taker in the Premiership (One penalty miss I can recall, in the Champs League?) And all those free kicks, I can only recall Gerrard having a couple of similar free kicks scored. Lets face it. Everybody who isnt a United fan is jealous, Ronaldo Is the one player that every top team in the world wishes they had. All this from a Leicester fan, UP THE CITY!

Posted 22:20 12th May 2008

Richard Jones (Cardiff City fan) says...

Yeah right... All you Man U "fans" need to support a real team. Glory hunters or what?

Posted 14:53 12th May 2008

Allan Gooner (Arsenal fan) says...

After such a great season, it's easy to get carried away, but lets not forget one thing, he went missing in almost every "big" match Man Utd have played this season, he scored against arsenal from 2 yards but was anonymous, couldn't even make half an impact against Chelsea. he's a good player, but a flat track bully as we call them. When he turns it on against the top teams, then and then only is he a "great" player!

Posted 14:49 12th May 2008

Fadi Gaziri (Norwich City fan) says...

Actually Ronaldo DID get 50 goals this season, if you include his goals for Portugal that is.

Posted 14:33 12th May 2008

Paul Thorpe (Manchester United fan) says...

You Chelsea fans make me laugh! None of you lot expected Ronaldo to even get over 40 goals, yet your writing him off already to get 50? Crisitano has improved his goalscoring every season since he came to Man United so whats stopping him getting 50? Yes it will be very tough, but can you name anyone else who has a better chance of getting 50 in the premiership?

Posted 14:28 12th May 2008

Tobias Kerins (Manchester United fan) says...

It is quite simple really. They scored the most goals and conceded the least. They have a never say die attitude and when they do lose the odd game, they bounce back with an awesome run. Best manager in the world, absolute top defence, wily and astute midfield, dynamic strikeforce. Need I say anymore, except bring on Moscow and send all you Chelsea boys home. Kings Road?? The only Kings of the Premier League are Manchester United. And yes, before you mention it, I do come from London.

Posted 14:24 12th May 2008

Rocky Rocastle (Arsenal fan) says...

Lets be honest, Ronaldo wont get 50 goals. However even if he does it certainly highlights that Man Utd are (not a one man team) but depend heavily on this boy! lets hope he dosent break a leg or do his cruiciate ligaments otherwise its curtains for Man Utd. That said, great player wish he was a gooner.

Posted 14:23 12th May 2008

Phillip Winter (Leeds United fan) says...

Don't like the boy ,but he's got all-round talent.He should dethrone Kaka for the overall player of the year.

Posted 14:23 12th May 2008

Hussein Dida (Manchester United fan) says...

What a great season for Man united and Cristiano Ronaldo,Surely its been a strong finish against Chelsea although United should have wrapped up earlier the premiere league anyway. Best in the world as at now is the king of step overs Cristiano Ronaldo,Congratulations all players and fans of one uinted team..Moscow here we come Chelsea so see you in Russia,,,

Posted 14:23 12th May 2008

David Sutherland says...

Anyone who says Ronaldo's free kick goal against Portsmouth isn't the best this season needs their head examined. It was pure genious, only Juninho of Lyon in his prime was better than Cristiano. Buy a target man and the team has all it needs. A Huntelaar or something like that. Maybe Daniel Alves wouldnt go amiss either as good as Wes Brown has been this season he sometimes is a ticking timebomb on the ball.

Posted 14:21 12th May 2008

Matt Bilton (Newcastle United fan) says...

i agree with the fact that 50 could be too much, however this is ronaldo...at one stage this season he has amazed every budding football fanatic with his natural talent, none of which is fluke!!

Posted 14:13 12th May 2008

Liam Hartnett (Liverpool fan) says...

Ronaldo will never hit 50 goals. If Fernando Torres stays injury free and plays all the time, he'll score more than Ronaldo !

Posted 14:12 12th May 2008

Luke P says...

Agree with Jon. This story makes Ronaldo appear greedy and arrogant by claiming he is aiming to get 50. He was merely responding to a question asked to him by a journo. Typical twisted sensationalised journalism.

Posted 13:53 12th May 2008

Ryan Bolton (Manchester United fan) says...

Let's not forget that it's the teams effort that won us the legue and helped ronaldo with his incredible season. The likes of Rooney, Scholes, Tevez, Giggs and Hargreaves have been brilliant this season aswell. I think we'll get Huntelaar in the summer and this will lift the expectation off Ronaldo a little. Rooney will be the key in Moscow! C'mon the reds!

Posted 13:50 12th May 2008
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