FIFA has dismissed the Red Devil’s official complaint regarding Real Madrid’s tactics involving Portuguese star winger, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Manchester United submitted the official complaint to FIFA, but details were not supplied to the public.

FIFA, which is the world’s soccer governing body released a statement on Monday June 16 regarding United’s complaint.

“From the documentation received, no breach of contract appears to have occurred yet, therefore, in accordance with the applicable practice, no kind of formal procedure has been opened by FIFA regarding this matter.”

FIFA went on to say that they have asked the Spanish Football Federation to remind Real Madrid of the potential legal ramifications of a breach of contract.

Real Madrid have denied any wrong doing on this matter.

The transfer saga of Cristiano Ronaldo, began after he had mentioned to Brazilian media that he wanted to play for Real Madrid, but only if RM were willing to reward him financially. Since then, the rumor mill hasn’t stopped.

Manchester United Football Club warned Real Madrid on May 27, 2008 to stop seeking the services of Cristiano Ronaldo. Today, the club has made good on that threat by filing an official complaint with FIFA. The details of the complaint have not been made public by the club.

Below is the official post from Manchester United website:

Reds report Real to FIFA

On 27 May, Manchester United made clear its intention to report Real Madrid to FIFA if it continued to involve itself in the future of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Unfortunately, Real Madrid has not kept its own counsel and the Club feels it has no alternative but to make a formal complaint to the world governing body, which it has done today.

The precise content and nature will remain confidential.

Communications Department,
Manchester United Limited

Source…

Why isn’t Cristiano Ronaldo earning more at Manchester? This is a question that we would like to explore a little further at Cristiano Ronaldo7.com.

According to Sports Illustrated… The top ten highest paid football (soccer) players, not including endorsements are:

1. Kaká (AC Milan): $14.9 million per year
2. Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona): $14.1 million
3. Frank Lampard (Chelsea): $13.5 million
4. John Terry (Chelsea): $13.5 million
5. Fernando Torres (Liverpool): $13.1 million
6. Andriy Shevchenko (Chelsea): $12.9 million
7. Michael Ballack (Chelsea): $12.9 million
8. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United): $12.7 million
9. Thierry Henry (FC Barcelona): $12.7 million
10. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool): $12.7 million

Now lets look at other major sports and see where player salaries rank.

Highest paid baseball players 2007: source: wikipedia

1. Alex Rodriguez New York Yankees $ 27,708,525
2. Jason Giambi New York Yankees $ 23,428,571
3. Derek Jeter New York Yankees $ 21,600,000
4. Manny Ramírez Boston Red Sox $ 17,016,381
5. Todd Helton Colorado Rockies $ 16,600,000
6. Andy Pettitte New York Yankees $ 16,000,000
7. Bartolo Colón Los Angeles Angels $ 16,000,000
8. Jason Schmidt Los Angeles Dodgers $ 15,703,946
9. Jim Thome Chicago White Sox $ 15,666,667
10. Bobby Abreu New York Yankees $ 15,600,000

National Hockey League Top ten highest paid players: 2007/2008: source…

1. Daniel Briere (Philadelphia Flyers) $10 million
2. Scott Gomez (New York Rangers) $10 million
3. Thomas Vanek (Buffalo Sabres) $10 million
4. Jaromir Jagr (New York Rangers) $8.36 million
5. Kimmo Timonen (Philadelphia Flyers) $8 million
6. Brad Richards (Dallas Stars) $7.8 million
7. Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings) $7.6 million
8. Zdeno Chara (Boston Bruins) $7.5 million
9. Patrik Elias (New Jersey Devils) $7.5 million
10.Ryan Smyth (Colorado Avalanche) $7.5 million

Highest Paid American Athletes: source: Sports Illustrated

1. Tiger Woods
Pro Golf
Last Year’s Rank: 1
$11,941,827 – Salary
$100,000,000 – endorsements
$111,941,827 – total

2. Oscar De La Hoya
Boxing
Last Year’s Rank: NR
$53,000,000 – salary
$2,000,000 – endorsements
$55,000,000 – total

3. Phil Mickelson
Pro Golf
Last Year’s Rank: 2
$4,256,505 – salary
$47,000,000 – endorsements
$51,256,505 – total

4. Shaquille O’Neal
Miami Heat (NBA)
Last Year’s Rank: 3
$20,000,000 – salary
$15,000,000 – endorsements
$35,000,000 – total

5. Kobe Bryant
Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
Last Year’s Rank: 4
$17,718,750 – salary
$16,000,000 – endorsements
$33,718,750 – total

6. LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
Last Year’s Rank: 6
$5,828,089 – salary
$25,000,000 – endorsements
$30,828,089 – total

7. Kevin Garnett
Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA)
Last Year’s Rank: 11
$21,000,000 -salary
$8,000,000 – endorsements
$29,000,000 – total

8. Derek Jeter
New York Yankees (MLB)
Last Year’s Rank: 7
$22,000,000 – salary
$7,000,000 – endorsements
$29,000,000 – total

9. Alex Rodriguez
New York Yankees (MLB)
Last Year’s Rank: 8
$22,000,000 – salary
$6,000,000 – endorsements
$28,000,000 – total

10.Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Auto Racing
Last Year’s Rank: 9
$7,111,735 – salary
$20,000,000 – endorsements
$27,111,735 – total

Although Cristiano Ronaldo is the best footballer on the planet, his salary isn’t in the top 50 of highest paid athletes. Furthermore, his salary is only a few million higher than the highest paid hockey player, and although we love hockey, there is a limited global appeal to the sport.

Is Crisitiano Ronaldo’s alleged discontent at Manchester due to the fact that although he has been the best football player for the last couple of years, he earns less than players with 1/10 the talent? When footballers like Andriy Shevchenko earn more per year, what message is Manchester United sending Cristiano Ronaldo?

Cristiano Ronaldo is not only one of the best football players this year, but in our opinion, the best ever. Manchester United should be telling the world that they are willing to make him the highest paid footballer ever.

Madrid, on the other hand, have said that they believe he’s the best and are willing to pay him handsomely.

We want Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Manchester, but we also think it’s time for Manchester to rally behind Cristiano and pay him what he’s worth. Otherwise, Cristiano Ronaldo may be on his way to warmer climes.

You read the translated version here first.

Cristiano Ronaldo7.com has been working very diligently on keeping you up to date with all the latest details of C. Ronaldo’s future with Manchester United. We have uncovered an interview given by Cristiano Ronaldo to ‘Lusa Portuguese News Agency’ post Portugal vs Georgia game on Saturday may 31, 2008.

Below is the article translated from Portuguese to English.

Cristiano Ronaldo Promises News on his future within 2-3 days

The Portuguese International and Manchester United Football player Cristiano Ronaldo was incognito today regarding his future at Manchester United, but promises news within 2-3 days.

“We are going to see, I am awaiting news very soon. I will announce a decision in the next 2-3 days”. said Ronaldo as he was leaving the Estádio do Fontelo, after the Portuguese National Team’s game versus Georgia on Saturday May 31, 2008.

Cristiano Ronaldo also said that he feels good and that in the next week the Portuguese National Team will work to maintain it’s focus on this year’s Euro.

“I feel good. We practiced good football in the first half of today’s game and the conclusions for this team should be very good”. Said Cristiano Ronaldo

We will continue to monitor Cristiano Ronaldo’s next moves for you, so keep checking back. See it here first!

source…

Spanish International and Liverpool forward, Fernando Torres, was quoted as saying that “If Real Madrid sign him, it would be a great signing. People talk about huge fees but that’s not for me to rate”. Torres was referring to the possible record breaking deal which may bring Ronaldo to Madrid.

Torres, who has seen first hand what Cristiano Ronaldo can do on the pitch, went on to say that any amount of money paid out for C. Ronaldo would most certainly be guaranteed to pay off.

Although transfer rumors continue to buzz, nothing has been confirmed by Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid or Manchester United.

We will bring you an update as soon as one is available.

There have been a slew of reports in the last twenty-four hours regarding superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Manchester United.

Real Madrid Manager, Bernd Schuster was quoted:

“Cristiano would help us in a lot of ways, without a doubt, but we can’t stop with just him,” explained Schuster.

“There are other players we have been looking at, but everything has slowed down a little due to all this Cristiano Ronaldo business, seeing as he is the big priority for the club.”

Another outlandish report by ‘Marca’, a Spanish sports daily, has Manchester United demanding Robinho, Sergio Ramos, Mahamadou Diarrŕ and €50 million Euros in exchange for the Portugal International.

All the rumors involving Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid over the last month has prompted Manchester United FC to send out a warning to the Spanish Champions.

Below is the statement by Manchester United FC:

United issue Real warning

The club has released the following statement regarding Cristiano Ronaldo:

Manchester United has watched with growing irritation the comments attributed to Real Madrid over their alleged desire to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.

The facts are:

1) The player is on a long-term contract and his registration is held by Manchester United
2) The player is not for sale

The club will have no alternative but to report Real Madrid to the world governing body, FIFA, if it continues to behave in this totally unacceptable fashion. These public attempts to unsettle the player are completely against the regulations and the club will not tolerate them any longer.

In addition, the club is certain that they are a distraction for the Portuguese national squad as they prepare for the European Championships. No-one should be in any doubt that Manchester United will do everything in its power to keep its best players.

Cristiano is quoted as currently weighing his options, and may make his intentions known.

“I want to stay, but the future… no-one knows. I want to stay. We are going to see in the next two weeks, I don’t say I make a decision.”

Only time will tell how this story unfolds. Cristiano Ronaldo7.com will keep you posted on any further updates.

The video below shows Cristiano Ronaldo dribbling the ball on the street and into an outdoor basketball court. He demonstrates that he can play basketball as well.

enjoy!

This interview was shot after the Barcelona game in Manchester England. During the interview, Ronaldo says that Final games are not meant to be played, but to be won.

How right he was!

We have also included the latest photos of the Celebration in Moscow. Enjoy!

[[Show as slideshow]]

Cristiano Ronaldo arrived in Lisbon Portugal tired, but focused on leading the Portuguese National Team to victory. The Manchester United player is intent on training hard and playing his best in this year’s Euro Cup.

After a very successful year, Ronaldo is not satisfied and promises more. “I’m able to imagine myself at a better level because I always want to improve. I’m going to try to equal the best”. I await doing well because the most important thing is for the team to reach it’s objectives.”

The football star said that he has no intention of placing anymore bets with Ferguson regarding how many goals he’ll be able to score for the Red Devils. He went on to say that it would be fantastic to see The Portuguese National Team win a European title.

Source…

Ronaldo: In His Own Words…

“There is no harm in dreaming of becoming the world’s best player. It is all about trying to be the best. I will keep working hard to achieve it but it is within my capabilities.”

“I am very grateful to this football club. They have helped me a lot since I came here and hopefully I can become a big part of Manchester United history.”

“I have a few tricks and dribbles which I use a lot and when I am playing well, it is natural they become easier. But the tricks I use are ones that will hopefully benefit the team What I do as an individual

player is only important if it helps the team to win; that is the most important thing.”

“I am happy to play on either side. I am quite used to playing them both and although I have played mostly on the right, I enjoy playing on the left and cutting inside.”

Ronaldo: In The Words Of Others…

“After we played Sporting the lads in the dressing room talked about him constantly, and on the plane back from the game they urged me to sign him – that’s how highly they rated him. He is one of the most exciting young players I’ve ever seen.”

Sir Alex Ferguson

Source…