Ronaldo seeks consistency

United superstar will not rest on his laurels

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 2nd January 2009

Ronaldo seeks consistency

Ronaldo: Sets high standards

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Cristiano Ronaldo admits that he has a lot to live up to following his eye-catching exploits last season.

The Manchester United superstar enjoyed a near perfect 2007/08 campaign, bagging 42 goals as he helped the Red Devils to Premier League and UEFA Champions League glory.

Having been virtually unstoppable for much of the year, the Portuguese winger was unsurprisingly awarded the coveted Ballon d'Or in recognition of his achievements.

He is also expected to add the Fifa World Player of the Year title to his ever-increasing haul of personal accolades.

While he has yet to scale those heights this season, the 23-year-old believes there is still much to come from him in the future.

Challenge

Ronaldo said: "In my opinion, age is not important in football. Experience - yes.

"But you gain experience if you play and I have played with great players and I've won many things.

"The most difficult challenge is to keep the same level as last year's. This is what I'm trying. I feel prepared for that.

"My ambition is still the same, my character is still the same and I know what I can do.

"When I moved to United I knew that I had a good chance of achieving what I dreamed of at a club of this dimension.

"I've always believed I was capable of going far. I recognise perhaps it happened faster than I'd imagined but it's just as well it did!

"I wanted to be someone in football. Happily, I can today say I am."

Important

Ronaldo has also lauded the role Sir Alex Ferguson has played in his meteoric rise to prominence.

"The boss is always important for me, not just last season but every season," added the former Sporting Lisbon man.

"I am at this club because of him. He saw me in a few games before I played against United.

"People think I came here just because I played against United (in a friendly during the summer of 2003) but it's not true.

"He's always helped me and I said to him, 'I want to be part of this club with you. I want to win trophies with you'. He's very important in my career."