Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has declared that he has yet to reach his peak as a player.
The Portugal international has been an ever-present figure in Madrid s attack since his 94-million-euro transfer from Manchester United in 2009, having so far scored 131 goals in 132 appearances for Los Blancos.
And despite entering his 30s in just three years time, Ronaldo noted that there is still a lot more to come from him.
I just hope I will keep seizing the moment year after year, he told TVI. I have not yet reached the peak of my career.
This is all just relative. Next year, I could be at a higher mental level and not score as many goals.
Who I am today reflects all that I have been through. I have earned all that I have, because I have wo…
Cesc Fabregas has told of his surprise at starting up front for Spain against Italy on Sunday in their opening Euro 2012 encounter.
The Barcelona midfielder scored a second-half equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw for Vicente del Bosque s side in the Group C opener.
But the 25-year-old admitted he was as shocked as anyone to start the game and lead the attack.
I didn t expect it either, he told Telecino.
I was as surprised as anyone.
I hadn t played for a month and a half, and with the goal, it was special. So I am happy.
It (playing as a false nine) was something we hadn t plan as the Barcelona players only joined the squad later on, but we have shown we have a lot of (tactical) variety.
Spain are looking to become the first side …
The most notable element of Sergio Aguero looking on as an unused substitute when Manchester City won at Old Trafford in December last season was how unremarkable it seemed.
A month earlier, Aguero claimed a place in the history books by scoring in City s 4-2 Champions League win over Napoli – becoming the club s all-time leading goalscorer – but that lofty status offered no guarantees.
Ever since Gabriel Jesus arrival from Palmeiras in January 2017, the Argentine s status as the number one striker at the Etihad Stadium had been under threat to an extent it never was in the previous five and a half years.
Barring any late fitness concerns in the hours before a Manchester derby that looks set to prove pivotal in the destiny of the Premier League title, there i…
Paul Clement hopes Swansea City s hard-fought 1-0 win over West Brom can kick-start a concerted push to move clear of the relegation zone.
The Welsh club climbed off the bottom of the Premier League table thanks to Wilfried Bony s 81st-minute goal, the striker ramming home a loose ball at a corner to secure three precious points.
Clement who made four changes to the side that lost 2-1 at Stoke City last time out, including leaving out Renato Sanches completely felt his players deserved to triumph in a battle between two struggling sides.
However, with a midweek game against Manchester City up next before a busy festive period, the Swans manager knows they must build on the result as they fight to avoid the drop.
It was a really important result.…
Marcus Rashford became the third-youngest player to score 50 Premier League goals for Manchester United as he opened the scoring against Leicester City.
Having missed a great chance in the opening minutes when he headed over from Bruno Fernandes cross, Rashford slotted home his sixth league goal of the season to put United 1-0 up against the Foxes.
Aged 23 years and 56 days, Rashford is behind only Wayne Rooney (22 years and 157 days) and Cristiano Ronaldo (22 years 341 days) in terms of the youngest United players to reach a half-century of Premier League goals.
Rashford s opener – which was set up by Fernandes, who has been directly involved in over half of United s Premier League goals since his debut (30/59), scoring 17 and assisting a further 13 – als…
Thibaut Courtois backed Eden Hazard to eventually explode for Real Madrid after his luckless injury run.
Hazard is yet to make an appearance for Madrid this season, having suffered a muscle injury just as he neared a return from an ankle issue.
The playmaker struggled to have much of an impact for the LaLiga giants in his first season following his arrival for a reported €100million (£86m) from Chelsea last year.
But Belgium and Madrid team-mate Courtois believes it is only a matter of time before Hazard delivers at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Hazard? I have no doubt, I am sure we will see the best Eden Hazard, the goalkeeper told Cadena SER on Wednesday.
He is the first with the desire to show it. I see him very well and hopefully soon he can pro…
Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for two matches by the Football Association (FA) and fined £50,000 for smashing an Everton supporter s phone last season.
The Portugal international, who had his contract mutually terminated by Manchester United on Tuesday, has also been warned by the FA over his future conduct.
Ronaldo was charged by the FA in September for breaching Rule E3 after footage of the incident emerged following United s loss at Goodison Park in April.
He was also questioned by Merseyside Police in relation to an alleged assault and criminal damage and received a caution in August.
Erik ten Hag suggested last month Ronaldo would fight the FA ruling, but the governing body announced on Wednesday he has now accepted the charge
Cristi…
Romelu Lukaku s double helped Belgium recover from an early setback in Tallinn as they saw off Estonia 5-2 to retain top spot in their World Cup qualifying group.
The Red Devils fell behind for the third time in four Group E matches when Mattias Kait fired the hosts – ranked 110 in the world – into a shock lead inside two minutes at A. Le Coq Arena.
But Belgium, in action for the first time since their Euro 2020 quarter-final loss to Italy, replied before the half-hour mark through a Hans Vanaken header and Lukaku s clinical finish.
Lukaku doubled his tally early in the second half and further goals followed from Axel Witsel and substitute Thomas Foket as Roberto Martinez s side made it three wins and a draw from their first four qualifying fixtures, despite…
Al Hilal overcame Sergej Milinkovic-Savic s red card as Saud Abdulhamid s late goal sealed a 2-1 victory over Al Ittihad in the King s Cup semi-finals.
Without Karim Benzema, Al Ittihad ultimately lacked the firepower to make their numerical advantage count in Tuesday s clash.
Former Lazio midfielder, who joined Al Hilal as part of their spending spree last year, received a straight red card in the 42nd minute.
Al Ittihad s Abderrazzaq Hamed-Allah cancelled out Micheal s opener, but Abdulhamid popped up with the winner in the 81st minute.
Al Hilal are 10-time King s Cup winners, having won their 10th title last season.
The Saudi Pro League leaders, who are still without the injured Neymar, will now face either Al Khaleej or Cristiano Ronaldo s Al …
Former England captain Faye White praised the Lionesses for being “calm and composed” during their Women’s World Cup semi-final victory against Australia.
England reached their first World Cup final and will play Spain for the trophy on Sunday after Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo secured a 3-1 victory over the tournament co-hosts in Sydney, where Australia captain Sam Kerr had equalised with a stunning individual goal after half-time.
Ex-Arsenal defender White, who earned 90 England caps, said on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We have had so many different challenges and styles of play to (come up) against in this tournament already and then dealing with the hosts…
— Lionesses (@Lionesses)
“(Look at) how calm and comp…