Interview with Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo speaks about the parting words he received from Sir Alex Ferguson – and the mood in the camp at Real Madrid.

Q. Are you happy with the move?

A. Yes. I feel like I have come home. Coming from Portugal means I have felt close to Spain all my life. I speak the language; I know the mentality, the culture and the playing style. So this is just as good as going back to Portugal to play, and Real Madrid is one of the greatest clubs in history.

Q. Does it hurt that you left United on a low note, after losing the Champions League final?

A. It does still bother me that we lost that game. You have to respect Barcelona because they won three big titles last season and that says a lot about their strength, but I don't think they were better than us. They were just more efficient when they got their chances.

Q. What did Sir Alex Ferguson say the last time you saw him?

A. He said "congratulations". I think he knew it was the right time for me to move on and I think he acknowledged that I needed to go. He joked with me and told me that with all the offensive players at Real Madrid, I'd end up playing as a central defender. That was just his way of saying "good luck, son". I did not get a chance to say goodbye to the fans but I hope they know that I enjoyed every moment at Old Trafford and would like to thank them for their support.

Q. What do you remember of your unveiling at the Bernabeu? It was nice and low-key wasn't it?

A. It was a crazy day, one I will never forget... There were already a lot of fans outside the hotel so I knew there would be a lot at the stadium, but I didn't expect the place to be full. That amazed me: 80,000 people who all came just to see me? It felt like I was a rock star and I felt humbled by it.

Q. What do you make of Florentino Perez's new project?

A. We all know it will be difficult for us – every time we take a wrong step or lose a match we know that the press will slaughter us and bring up how much we all cost...

Q. Where do you fit into this new team?

A. I don't know for sure but it's important to say that I don't think I will have a more important role than others. I don't think the coach looks at who are the most expensive players, he only thinks about putting the best team together and I hope to be a part of that.

Q. What's your priority this season, La Liga or the Champions League?

A. I want to win them both, win everything. Why choose one? I have won the champions league with Manchester United and I still believe that it is the biggest tournament there is to win in all club competitions.

Q. How do you cope with fame?

A. Luckily it has been a change for the better. I am very privileged. I have a better house, nice cars and everything I need. But the most important is still the support from my family and the people closest to me. The money does not change my ambitions, character or mentality. I still have the passion for football.

Q. Do you ever wonder what you would be doing if you weren't a footballer?

A. A lot of my childhood friends also dreamed about being a footballer, but they also had a lot of other dreams for their future. They wanted to be firefighters, policemen, doctors... The only thing I ever wanted was to become a footballer. That is why I never asked my parents for other gifts when I was a boy, only things for football.

Extracted from an interview in the current issue of Sport magazine

Champions League draw: how it works

Following the completion of Wednesday’s play-off matches, the 32 clubs who will take part in the Champions League group stages this season will have been completed - made up of the 22 who have qualified automatically and the 10 who have come through the various rounds.

Uefa, the competition’s organisers, stress that the seedings for the four different pots from which the teams will be drawn (eight clubs in each pot) will not be decided until Thursday morning, after the final matches.

However, based on the co-efficients - the success of national associations and teams over recent seasons - it’s possible to, without being exactly sure, estimate which clubs will be allocated to which pots.

However, this is, it must be stressed, subject to change.

What will not alter are the No 1 seeds - the reigning champions Barcelona, who defeated Manchester United last May.

Indeed, there is a rich Spanish flavour to this year’s competition, not least because the final, on May 22 2010, taking place on a Saturday, having shifted from the traditional Wednesday, will be at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid.

Below Barcelona hover the English trio of Chelsea, Liverpool and United, reflecting the power and threat of the Premier League, supplemented by Arsenal, should they qualify.

The 32 clubs will be divided into four different pots with, therefore, eight teams in each pot to make up the eight different groups labelled A-H of four teams.

The top two qualify to the knock-out rounds, the third-placed goes into the Europa League.

All four English teams will be in Pot One, reflecting the six teams with the best ranking based on their previous performances in the Uefa competitions.

Also in that pot are another Spanish club, Seville, plus AC Milan and Bayern Munich. If Arsenal fail, Lyon will move up.

None of these Pot One clubs can face each other but all will be eyeing Pot Two which contains two of the most dangerous opponents they could possibly meet and will want to avoid - namely Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan and, perhaps even more threateningly, Real Madrid. That’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Xabi Alonso, Karim Benzema et al.

Given that clubs from the same association cannot be drawn against each other in the group stages it means there are only six clubs that can face Real Madrid - and four of those are English. The chances of a meeting are dangerously high while another club due to be in Pot Two, Juventus, will also pose a threat.

Rangers are in Pot Three, but could have moved up a seeding if play-off results had gone their way, while danger lurks with Atletico Madrid, who overcame Panathinaikos on Tuesday, Marseilles and Bordeaux while the most formidable opponent in Pot Four, and perhaps the one every club wants to avoid the most, are undoubtedly the German champions Wolfsburg.

They are one of six clubs - AZ Alkmaar, Zurich, Debrecen (the lowest ranked), Rubin Kazan and Unirea Urziceni are the others - who have reached the group stages for the first time.

The latter three are somewhat unknown quantities while the English clubs will want to avoid potentially tricky trips to Russia and Romania.

The draw takes place ahead of Friday night’s Super Cup match between Barcelona and Shakhtar Donetsk in Monaco.

Also decided will be the results of Uefa’s Club Football Awards with several Premier League players on the various short-lists including two Englishmen, Steven Gerrard and John Terry.

These are likely to be the pots to which clubs are allocated (based on Uefa co-efficients but, it must be stressed, unconfirmed until later on Thursday and subject to change).

Pot One:

Barcelona
Liverpool
Chelsea
Manchester United
AC Milan
Arsenal (subject to result against Celtic)
Seville
Bayern Munich

Pot Two:

Lyon
Inter Milan
Real Madrid
CSKA Moscow
Porto
Sporting Lisbon (subject to result against Fiorentina)
AZ Alkmaar
Juventus

Pot Three:

Atletico Madrid
Rangers
OlympiaKos (subject to result against FC Sheriff).
Marseille
Dynamo Kiev
Stuttgart (subject to result against Politehnica Timisoara).
Bordeaux
Besiktas

Pot Four:

Copenhagen (subject to result against Apoel Nicosia)
Debrecen
Wolfsburg
Standard Liege
Maccabi Haifa
FC Zurich
Rubin Kazan
Unirea Urziceni

Dates:

Match Day One (15/ 16 Sept) 2 v 3 and 4 v 1
Match Day Two (29/ 30 Sept) 1 v 2 and 3 v 4
Match Day Three (20/ 21 Oct) 3 v 1 and 2 v 4
Match day Four (3/ 4 Nov) 1 v 3 and 4 v 2
Match Day Five (24/ 25 Nov) 3 v 2 and 1 v 4
Match day Six (8/9 Dec) 2 v 1 and 4 v 3

* This is also subject to change to ensure that clubs from the same country play on separate days.

Premier League season guide 2009-10 - Chelsea

The club

Party manifesto

"To roll out a robust, world-class leisure-based model going forward, put an end to boom and bust - balancing the books (by 2010! © P Kenyon), while guaranteeing funding for the (galácticos') wealth service - and restore our international standing. In short, it's the Champions League, stupid!"

Fat cats or hard times

Despite the global financial meltdown, Roman Abramovich is desperate to spend an obscene amount of money on a galáctico to avoid being left behind in the international pissing contest by Real Madrid and Man City. Unfortunately, all the good ones appear to have gone.

Their idea of dreamland

Owner: Victory in the European Cup final (ideally annually) by an avalanche of goals (possibly including a Roy Race hat-trick). Millions across the globe salute the sagacity, beneficence and good looks of R Abramovich.

Manager: Whatever you say, sir.

The table doesn't lie

After dropping to third place for the first time under Russian ownership, improvement is a must. Form under Guus Hiddink shows Chelsea remain serious contenders but a lack of big-name signings hints at stagnation. Ask John Terry.

If they had three wishes

1 Jose Mourinho

2 Guus Hiddink

3 Collection box for Burnley fans to deposit their small change before entering Stamford Bridge.

What a typical fan says

"Refereeing decisions even themselves out over the course of a season. Yeah, right!"

The players

New kid in town Daniel Sturridge

Chelsea's revenge on City for swiping Robinho may prove to be very sweet if the 19-year-old striker fulfils his promise. English and potentially lethal.

English passion v foreign flair

John Terry and Frank Lampard have long been the meat and potatoes amid the cordon bleu canapés and, with Ashley Cole and the returning Joe Cole, that's a third of the England team.

Watch out for

Tony Dorigo lookalike Yuri Zhirkov, who arrived from CSKA Moscow for a mere £18m to a collective shrug. Nevertheless, he had a good Euro 2008, can operate all along the left flank and is more than just a token Russian.

Unsung hero

Raw-boned Branislav Ivanovic wins few marks for artistic impression but the Serb, Nemanja Vidic's international partner, sealed a place in Chelsea hearts with his two goals at Anfield in the Champions League quarter-final.

Do not match the ambition of ...

Didier Drogba has been on the brink of leaving since the day he arrived. A big man in the dressing room and, to his detractors, a big baby on the pitch, his live TV rant means he sits out the first three European games. It's a blimmin' disgrace!

Most likely to date Danielle Lloyd

Ashley Cole says he "crossed into the world of showbiz" with his marriage to Britain's favourite toilet-assistant-thumping, talent-show judge. A date with the orange-skinned one would surely equal freakshowbiz.

National treasure

Chelsea seem to have discovered they had a talent on their hands only after Michael Mancienne, who could have played for the Seychelles, was called up to the England squad before making his Blues debut. Despite an iffy Under-21 tournament, the defender is one to watch.

The manager

Carlo Ancelotti

Put your medals on the table

Won the Scudetto and Coppa Italia with Milan, but for the reason why the Brillo-pad-topped chubster was hired look no further than those two European Cups.

What's his style?

Has tended to adapt his style to the players available. Says Chelsea are a "physical team" who need a more creative dimension. Fielded a diamond midfield in pre-season with Lampard at the tip.

Will almost certainly complain about ...

Being asked if he is the new Special One, or, as he says, "His Specialness Mourinho".

If they want to get ahead they would wear a ...

US Marine Corps' helmet

An effective machine that prefers to steamroller its way to victory and ask questions later as it sings its customary annual marching song: 'We don't know but we've been told, Champions League trophy is made of gold. We don't know but we've heard a shout, Win it this year or the manager's out. Yet again.' To be repeated next summer.

The numbers game

Years of hurt Zero

Last major trophy FA Cup 2009

Title odds 2-1

Relegation odds 1,000-1

Last season

Champions League Semis

FA Cup Winners

Carling Cup 4th round

League discipline Yellow 50 Red 2

Top scorer Anelka (19)

Fair play league 4th

Points per game

against top four 0.67

against the rest 2.47

Premier League season guide 2009-10 - Arsenal

The club

Party manifesto

"The Emirates super-state believes in free movement of skilled teenage labour, a sustainable approach to recycling the ball somewhere near the halfway line and benevolent dictatorship by an increasingly grumpy Frenchman in a blue coat."

Fat cats or hard times

Yet to buy into the new billionairism, so dependent on the silent hordes at bijou Islington residence. Jabba the Hut body double and main shareholder Alisher 'Keys' Usmanov has other ideas.

Their idea of dreamland

The theory: elastic-limbed graduates of the North London School of the Cushioned Backheel learn to reproduce Total Wengerball at will and kick-start era of futuristic European dominance. The reality: Kieran Gibbs falling over.

The table doesn't lie

Fourth and a Champions League semi-final looks like a decent season, but no trophies since 2005 has begun to grate. If the Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen settles, the squad already looks stronger.

If they had three wishes

1 World-class Patrick Vieira-style (circa 1998) midfielder discovered having kickabout outside Holloway Road branch of Chicken Cottage

2 Fifa decrees points to be awarded for artistic merit and ability to play intricate double-shimmy wall-pass

3 Real Madrid, Manchester City and other moneyed bullies continue not realising how good Andrey Arshavin is.

What a typical fan says

"Mmmm the prosciutto & sage chicken skewers with roast pepper aioli are divine. Where's everyone going?... The second half of what?"

The players

New kid in town Thomas Vermaelen

The left-footed Belgian arrived for £10.4m from Ajax, where he was captain last season, and is expected to slot straight into central defence.

English passion v foreign flair

Wenger preaches the pan-global melting pot, hence 11 different nationalities in the team at the end of last season. But there are stirrings of something else: feisty British bulldogs Kieran Gibbs, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere could all play big roles this year.

Watch out for

Carlos Vela: the best thing to come out of Mexico since guacamole. Left-footed, wonderfully balanced and a scorer of spectacular goals – like a young Robbie Fowler only without the clothes peg on his nose.

Unsung hero

His foot keeps falling off. His knees are held together with hairy string. But Robin van Persie still scored 21 times last season and is a goal-every-other-start merchant. Interplay with Arshavin will be key.

Do not match the ambition of...

Recent superstar-feeder-club status has begun to sit uneasily. Cesc Fábregas keeps being 'mistranslated', waffling about Barcelona in the Spanish press. William Gallas always appears to be on the verge of bursting into tears.

Most likely to date Danielle Lloyd

Nicklas Bendtner had his drunken nightclub-exit upskirt moment last season. But he's not like that really. Although, Henri Lansbury does list at least a thousand very thin orange women among his Facebook friends.

National treasure

Wilshere, the best young English player anywhere. Has trickery, vision and hunger. A bit of a lab experiment, too: the first Englishman to go right through academy to first team under Wenger. More please. We want more of these. At least 10 more.

The manager

Arsène Wenger

Put your medals on the table

Invented broccoli and yoga in his first season, won the Double in his second and had the Invincibles in 2003–04. Arsenal's most gong-laden manager.

What's his style?

Puritanical vision of homogenised supra-national excellence. ie: jet-heeled Eritrean teenagers constructing dizzying 17-pass move that ends in goal-kick.

Will almost certainly complain about...

Media. Team losing. Team being clogged. Media reports of his team being clogged while losing.

If they want to get ahead they could wear a...

Fascinator

Flimsy but eye-catching, revolutionary spin on conventional classic. Often worn by congregation at weddings but very rarely by those who end the campaign with silverware and champagne-fuelled consummation. Offers no protection from rain, cold, sleet and other assorted rough northern elements but looks good while it lasts.