Ronaldo backs Real to shine

Winger wary of Champions League overkill

By Danny Wright   Last updated: 2nd January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ronaldo backs Real to shine

Ronaldo: Gunning for glory

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Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo says his side will be the best team of 2010 and called on the Spanish outfit to win all the trophies on offer.

Madrid's bitter rivals Barcelona claimed no fewer than six pieces of silverware during 2009, leaving Ronaldo's men to look on at the Catalan club enviously.

But the forward says Real can be the team to beat in the coming year, and called on his team-mates to seize the opportunity of winning the UEFA Champions League in their own backyard.

The 2010 final in May will be staged at the Bernabeu and the £80m man is all too aware that success on home soil is in the script.

He told Real Madrid's official website: "Real Madrid will be the best team in 2010. We need to have the drive and motivation to win everything that comes our way.

"Fans and players dream about winning the Champions League. This year's final is at the Santiago Bernabeu and it's a great opportunity for us.

Greatest experience

"Winning the Champions League was the greatest experience of my career and we don't want to let this opportunity slip through our fingers."

But he warned that winning in Europe should not deter his colleagues from winning honours on the domestic front, and that too much emphasis on triumphing in the continent's premier club competition could unnerve the players.

He did however reiterate his belief that Real have the tools to claim both domestic and European crowns.

The Galacticos have a favourable tie against Lyon in the first knockout match of the Champions League and trail reigning champions Barcelona by two points in the Primera Division - leaving them well placed to launch a silverware assault on two fronts.

"All this club talks about is Champions League, Champions League, Champions League, but we shouldn't because it puts a lot of pressure on the players," he explained.

"It is better to continue doing what we are doing, which is winning games. Good things will happen, but the players don't need any added pressure.

"Madrid needs to be focus on winning the Champions League and La Liga, but it depends on other factors like luck and the draw.

"But I think we are going to win."