The Portuguese National Team face Albania in a World Cup qualifying game on October 15.  Portugal sits third in their group with four points. Denmark is first with seven points, and Sweden is in second place with 5 points.   Albania sits fifth in the group.

Cristiano Ronaldo played well in his first game back into International play versus Sweden.  That game ended in a 0-0 draw, but Portugal had plenty of scoring opportunities, including several opportunities by Cristiano Ronaldo. Cristiano did not play in Portugal´s first two world cup qualifying games due to ankle surgery he had earlier this summer.

The Portuguese National Team seems to be in the eye of England’s Chelsea FC. The club has announced that they have signed Portugal International Deco. The club paid £8m to Barcelona for the Portugal midfielder, who has signed a two year contract, with the option to extend.

Deco is the second Portuguese International to be signed by Chelsea this year, after signing Jose Bosingwa a while back.

With former Portugal Coach Luiz Filipe Scolari being signed recently and two of Portugal’s first liners also signed by Chelsea, one has to wonder if anymore of Chelsea’s future signings will come from the Portuguese National Team.

It will be interesting to see what else unfolds in the world of English football.

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to return to Manchester United next week to meet up with Alex Ferguson to discuss his future at Old Trafford. Speculation has it that a conclusion to the transfer saga may be announced shortly thereafter.

According to a Spanish online Daily, ‘AS’, Cristiano will be telling Ferguson that in fact he wants to leave for Real Madrid.

Other Cristiano News:

Enrique Iglésias wants Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Real Madrid

The Spanish singer and Real Madrid supporter, Enrique Iglésias, has announced his support to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.

In this video, he talks about Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese National Team and his hope of seeing Cristiano at Real Madrid.

http://ww1.rtp.pt/desporto/index.php?headline=37&visual=17&article=153769&tema=21

Portugal is getting ready for the next world cup qualifiers, which start this coming September, however, Portugal has a big empty hole to fill with the departure of their coach, Scolari. FPF president, Gilberto Madail is said to be on the verge of announcing potential candidates for the Portuguese National Team.

Several reports by Portuguese media have named potential candidates, however, nothing has been confirmed by the FPF, and therefore, nothing is concrete.

Portugal enter this quarter-final match versus Germany on a better note than the World Cup’s quarter-final match of 2006. They have a fully rested starting line-up and no suspensions looming over the team as was the case in 2006. Germany on the other hand is struggling with fatigue and injury after moving out of the group stage with a narrow victory versus Austria. Torsten Frings is a doubtful starter for the German side after x-rays revealed a broken rib which was suffered in the Austria game on Monday. According to reports by uefa.com, Frings sustained the injury during the second half of the game. He traveled with Germany’s team doctor to Lugano for further testing after he complained of being in pain. German coach, Joachim Löw has stated that a decision on the game status of Frings would be left to the last minute, saying:Torsten is a very important player for our team and, considering that, our medical team will naturally be doing everything within their power to get him fit again for Thursday’s match. He will be treated very intensively until then. A definite decision on whether or not he will be able to play will be made at short notice.”

In the latest news conference given by the Portuguese National Team, Cristiano Ronaldo was asked what he thought about the reports coming out of the German camp stating that Portugal was the favorite heading in to the quarter-final match. Ronaldo’s reply was that he didn’t believe there is a favorite. Stating that the team who plays better and capitalizes on their scoring opportunities will win. Ronaldo went on to say that Germany could be their biggest obstacle in reaching the finals.

When asked about his future, he again stated that he would not speak about it until the Euro tournament was over. He did touch on the subject of Scolari moving to Chelsea by saying that he believes it was a good move for him. That Chelsea are a good club and that he will most certainly make a big difference in the club.

The Portuguese National Team will play their third and final game of the group stage today against Switzerland. Switzerland, who have already been eliminated from the tournament, will surely try to go out on a positive note and give their best performance. Portugal, on the other hand, have already qualified and will need to stay focused. Speculation has Portugal playing their B-Team in order to rest their best players.

Portugal’s star winger, Cristiano Ronaldo, will most certainly not make the starting line-up as new Chelsea manager Scolari looks to give game time to players who have yet to play.

Portugal’s next opponent has yet to be decided, but it hasn’t stopped the off pitch politics and mind games from commencing. Earlier this week, Croatia went public in saying that they were happy to avoid Portugal in the quarter-final round. Just two days later, when the possibility of Croatia playing Portugal grew, they again went public in saying that they would feel sorry for Cristiano Ronaldo, because it would most certainly mean an early exit for Portugal.

Quarter-final opponents, in most part have yet to be decided. What we do know is that only a few teams are fancied to be standing on the field for the final game. Portugal is one of those teams.

The Portuguese National Team had a perfect start to this year’s Euro tournament, with two wins in their first two games to put them through to the knock out stages.

Cristiano Ronaldo knows that the toughest games are ahead, and Portugal are not taking any team for granted.

Portugal began their tournament with a game versus Turkey which they had a decisive win of 2 – 0. Four days later, they beat the Czech Republic 3-1. C. Ronaldo was involved in all three goals of that game, scoring one and setting up the other two.

There is a strong possibility that Portugal will face tournament favorites, Germany, in the quarter finals. Germany is presently the runners-up to Croatia in group B.

“I’m certain that game after game, it’s going to be progressively more difficult,” Ronaldo told euro2008.com. “We have to be prepared for this. There have already been surprises. Germany were the favourites against Croatia and Croatia still won.”

Ronaldo also confirmed speculation that Scolari will be resting his key players in the next game versus Switzerland, however he insists that the game will not be taken lightly.

“Our motivation remains the same,” he said. “The players who are coming in are going to give their best as they will want to show Mr Scolari they want to be in the first eleven. I think it’s going to be a good game because the majority of the players who will play haven’t played yet.”

Portugal meet Switzerland on Sunday.

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The Portuguese National Team confronted group rivals Czech Republic, in a game which would ultimately put Portugal into the quarter-finals of this year’s Euro tournament.

Cristiano Ronaldo proved why he is undoubtedly the world’s best footballer by having a say in all three Portuguese goals versus the Czech Republic.

In the first eight minutes of the game, Portugal International and Barcelona star, Deco, put away Portugal’s first goal of the game, after Ronaldo beat Czech goaltender, Cech to the ball. The loose ball was picked up by Deco and shot past Czech defenders.

First half ended in a 1 – 1 draw.

In the 63rd minute of the game, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of the tournament. Deco made a brilliant pass just outside the Czech box. Ronaldo struck to put Portugal in front for the second time in the game.

Portugal would put the game away with minutes left in the game, after a quick free kick sent Ronaldo on a break-away. Ronaldo elected to pass the ball to newly substituted Quaresma, who tapped the ball into the back of the net, putting Portugal in front by two.

The game ended 3 – 1 for Portugal.

Turkey beat Switzerland in their game, putting Portugal through to the knock out stages.

The Portuguese National Team played their first game of this year’s EURO competition versus Turkey on Saturday June 7.

Portugal defender Pepe seemed as though he had scored in the 17 minute mark of the game, but the goal was called back. Pepe was slightly offside, however it wouldn’t prevent the defender from staying off the score sheet. At the 61st minute of the game, Pepe scored a great goal which was fabricated from a fantastic three way passing play which was started by the defender.

Portugal would score again into added time, on a play which was started by Cristiano Ronaldo. Raul Meireles was the recipient of Moutinho’s pass to set him passed the goalkeeper.

Cristiano Ronaldo came very close to scoring from a free kick, but the Turkish goalkeeper made a brilliant save. The tipped shot deflected off the post.

Portugal lead their group with three points. The Czech Republic are in second with three points as well, but one less goal.

Portugal meets the Czech Republic on Wednesday June 11, 2008.

Sandro Rosell has said that if he is voted into power at Nou Camp, that Barcelona will attempt to lure Ronaldo from Manchester rather than see him go to Madrid.

Nike, who are the makers of Barcelona’s team kits, will apparently back Barcelona in their bid for Ronaldo, as they don’t want to see the world’s greatest player wearing a Real Madrid uniform which is manufactured by Nike rivals, Adidas.

After a dismal year in the Barcelona camp, current President Joan Laporta, may be forced into an election if he loses on a vote of ‘no confidence’.

As the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga continues to buzz around the world, the Portuguese National Team are focusing on their first game of the Euro Championship tournament versus Turkey.

The speculation continues to make waves in England, Madrid, Portugal and now Barcelona, but there has been no confirmation on the merit of these rumors.

Cristiano Ronaldo7.com will continue to keep it’s ears and eyes open for any new development which should occur.

We also want to thank Miguel for bringing this story and link to our attention.

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