Cristiano Ronaldo

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So some people think legend is a long service award. Others think legend is whether you'll smile when a highlights reel comes on TV and tell the kids about him.

That's fair enough, but lets not moralise about the age of posters (though personally it's nice to be in the "very young" camp again), their attitude to United, or whether it's somehow disrespectful to other United greats or indeed Ronaldo which side of the fence a poster falls.

As for Danny's breakdown of Ronaldo's 6 seasons at United, dismissing his first three, I can only say that part of why he'll be one I still talk about in years to come is because of the magic of watching him as the skilled but slightly daft kid who made a stunning debut as a sub against Bolton and grew up before our very eyes.

Legend? Different things to different people.
 
crappycraperson said:
Anyone who thinks that our first player after the holy trinity to bag the best footballer award won't go down as a club legend has a loose grip on reality. Even fans who are bitter towards him right now, won't be in another 10 years. In another 20, only his good times will be remembered fondly. I doubt any old United fan would be telling younger one regarding the 'I stay' summer rather than how a young talent grew up to be the best footballer at OT. Same one who competed with possibly the best footballer of all time. As someone said if Best was playing in this era and had ended his United career as he did then, bitter fans on the internet would be dissing him as well. Time to grow up.
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In another 10-20 years he'll be sitting in the VIP section in the Santiago Bernabeu, following Madrid's games as Madrid's ambassador or something like that, while we're being laughed at for calling him OUR legend, who dumped us for a better club.

Best, no matter what he did, will never be remembered but as a United player. That's why we have the right to call him a United legend.
 
That's the reason I don't get involved in debates about legends of our club. Unless it's Scholes/Giggs etc then it's unanimous!

Personally, if I'm being honest, through a mixture of bitterness and personal opinion, I don't think Ron is a legend. It was a mutually beneficial relationship where both parties benefited and essentially he used us as a stepping stone in his development to get his dream move to Madrid, where he's spending his best years. We certainly don't owe him anything for it.

I'm grateful for what he's achieved with us and for the high regard and respect he has for MUFC & SAF. But I just cannot call him a club legend much the same way I don't consider Yorke/Cole club legends, though I'd have no problem singing his name from time to time (though I think it gets over done at OT).

I can understand jojojo's opinion though - everyone has a varying definition of legend (for instance Ole is a club legend for me - though he was nowhere near a Ballon d'Or winner). So I might not necessarily agree with some, at the end of the day its all subjective anyway.
 
jojojo said:
So some people think legend is a long service award. Others think legend is whether you'll smile when a highlights reel comes on TV and tell the kids about him.

That's fair enough, but lets not moralise about the age of posters (though personally it's nice to be in the "very young" camp again), their attitude to United, or whether it's somehow disrespectful to other United greats or indeed Ronaldo which side of the fence a poster falls.

As for Danny's breakdown of Ronaldo's 6 seasons at United, dismissing his first three, I can only say that part of why he'll be one I still talk about in years to come is because of the magic of watching him as the skilled but slightly daft kid who made a stunning debut as a sub against Bolton and grew up before our very eyes.

Legend? Different things to different people.
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I understand that people still have feelings for Ronaldo, and they can rightfully say that he's THEIR personal legend. He IS a legend alright (or most probably will be one), but the truth is he's not a United legend, because HE chose not to be one.
 
jojojo said:
So some people think legend is a long service award. Others think legend is whether you'll smile when a highlights reel comes on TV and tell the kids about him.

That's fair enough, but lets not moralise about the age of posters (though personally it's nice to be in the "very young" camp again), their attitude to United, or whether it's somehow disrespectful to other United greats or indeed Ronaldo which side of the fence a poster falls.

As for Danny's breakdown of Ronaldo's 6 seasons at United, dismissing his first three, I can only say that part of why he'll be one I still talk about in years to come is because of the magic of watching him as the skilled but slightly daft kid who made a stunning debut as a sub against Bolton and grew up before our very eyes.

Legend? Different things to different people.
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Surely it is. There is really no way to be objective about it.

Though, someone who says, "Thank you very much for developing me into this awesome player but now I am going to spend my most productive years at a bigger club, Real Madrid, which is also happens to be my dream club", is not a club legend imho.

One can personally revere him as a legend but he doesn't come even close to some other players in terms of legendary status.

Is Fabregas an Arsenal legend?
 
Danny1982 said:
I understand that people still have feelings for Ronaldo, and they can rightfully say that he's THEIR personal legend. He IS a legend alright (or most probably will be one), but the truth is he's not a United legend, because HE chose not to be one.
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You honestly sound like a 14 year old whose just found his best mate fingering your girlfriend.
 
Danny1982 said:
I understand that people still have feelings for Ronaldo, and they can rightfully say that he's THEIR personal legend. He IS a legend alright (or most probably will be one), but the truth is he's not a United legend, because HE chose not to be one.
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No, the truth is he's not a United legend to you, because you don't see him like that.

As the best player I've had the opportunity to go see live, he's a legend to me. It doesn't mean everyone has to think of him as a legend, or everyone should disregard him because he left. It's all opinions baby, we all have them, and we're all damn well entitled to keep them.
 
Danny1982 said:
In another 10-20 years he'll be sitting in the VIP section in the Santiago Bernabeu, following Madrid's games as Madrid's ambassador or something like that, while we're being laughed at for calling him OUR legend, who dumped us for a better club.

Best, no matter what he did, will never be remembered but as a United player. That's why we have the right to call him a United legend.
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He will never the same status at Real, he had at United. I would bet a good amount that he will be more associated with United than Real after he retires. Real have likes of Zidane who were more accepted by their muppets and had similar status in world football to carry their flag. We have other legends like Giggs but they don't enjoy the global recognition Ronnie has. He did after all brand himself as CR7, a brand partly created by the history of 7 shirt at United... instead of hogging 9 or 10 as most forwards do.

Also you oddly seem to think Ronaldo playing so well for Real some how slights his time at United. His sole Ballon'dor trophy was still earned while playing for us only. And sadly, Messi seems destined to deprive him of another.

Besides a single person's feeling are irrelevant. My last outing with United supporters (Euro away ones, which I would say give a good sample for hardcore United fans) gave me the impression, only about 20-25% are still bitter about him leaving. Out of the rest, half don't even mind still singing Viva Ronaldo (many were belting out the song on Duomo square) and the half are ambivalent or apathetic.
 
Danny1982 said:
I understand that people still have feelings for Ronaldo, and they can rightfully say that he's THEIR personal legend. He IS a legend alright (or most probably will be one), but the truth is he's not a United legend, because HE chose not to be one.
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:lol: I love it how you seem to think that you unilaterally can decide who will qualifiy as a United legend or not.
 
Ronaldo's Mum said:
Why wouldn't they talk in glowing terms about Ronaldo?

His name is being sung in every game, he has contributed so much to our success in the past. He's arguably the most talented player to grace our club.

He's an absolute legend.
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Mothers are always loyal to their sons though.
 
Danny1982 said:
But he's not a United legend to me, because HE chose not to be one.
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Fixed.

He's a United legend to me though, the only time in my life watching the best player in the World ply his trade at my club, and feck it was a fun time!

He's a legend just for this in my eyes...



Fair enough to you though, you're entitled to your opinion though and it's certainly not as retarded as the view some have on here in saying that Becks isn't a United legend.
 
I'm always right said:
Fair enough to you though, you're entitled to your opinion though and it's certainly not as retarded as the view some have on here in saying that Becks isn't a United legend.
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They know that Becks is class and United born and bred. They just don't want to admit it because they think that you have to hate pretty and populars boys like Beckham to be considered a real football fan. It's a bit like Indie fans hating on music they used to love just because it becomes popular.
 
When I have grandkids sitting on my knee wanting to talk about football greats from my youth, I will be telling them about the likes of Cantona, Giggs, Scholes and Rooney. If they ask about Ronaldo I will of course answer. But there wont be as much to say about it, as far as Im concerned.

Yes, wonderful, magical player, perhaps the best of the players Ive mentioned. But when we have players like the Giggs and Scholes, who gave their entire careers to the club and won everything there is to win, setting records, winning it as kids, defying blindness, defying age; when you have players like Cantona who, when they talk about United, sound as though they are talking about an intrinsic part of their own soul, and who did not sully their time here by constantly harping on about some other team; and when you have the likes of Rooney, who (fingers crossed) will have broken goal scoring records - and spent the vast majority of their career with the club, including all the peak years, why would you talk about Ronaldo.

Football is about more than scoring goals, stepovers, being the BPITW or even entertainment. Football is tribal. For me at least. And therefore people who retain a strong tribal affiliation with the club mean more to me than a brilliant player who passed through. I cant be arsed to tie this back to highly subjective and therefore meaningless definitions like "club legend". But to me Becks' bonds with the club are stronger, because for all the lip service Ronaldo pays to respecting and loving the club, Becks sounds far more genuine about it.

Plus, 99 > 08.
 
Adebesi said:
When I have grandkids sitting on my knee wanting to talk about football greats from my youth, I will be telling them about the likes of Cantona, Giggs, Scholes and Rooney. If they ask about Ronaldo I will of course answer. But there wont be as much to say about it, as far as Im concerned.
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bah humbug :lol:

The one player I will wax lyrical about to my grandkids is Cristiano Ronaldo, if there "won't be much to say" about a player who was the best in the World and took us to another big ears breaking all records along the way, well, you'll be a pretty fecking boring granddad.
 
Its more to do with what he was saying while he was still here, giving us those great memories, to be honest. Left a bad taste in my mouth and has left me feeling he is going through the motions, giving platitudes, when he says nice things about us now. But that is a personal thing, all this is highly subjective anyway.

If you dont like my criteria, or dont think they are consistent, that is fair enough. I have no issue with what you tell your grandchildren. You dont want them to like coming to see you, you want them to complain all the way over in the car because they prefer their other grandpa? Nothing to do with me.
 
Legend for me without a doubt. Helped us through one of the most successful periods in our history, contributed to us playing some of the most exciting attacking football we have played and remains the best player I have ever seen play.

He was never going to stay his entire career with us, but he played more games for us than other legends, such as Cantona. He also dedicated himself to becoming the best player in the world, and achieved that while representing our club. Seeing that development was a fantastic experience.

He has also only ever spoken positively about our club, the players he played alongside and, of course, SAF. If SAF holds him in high enough esteem tostay in touch with him and apparently speak regularly, then I think that demonstrates he left the club on extremely good terms.

But mainly, it was how you heard the noise in the stadium build with expectation and excitement as soon as he received the ball...and how he contributed so many incredible moments - the strike against Porto, the freekick and counter attack goal against Arsenal, the header against Roma, the backheel against Villa, and the header against Chelsea...to name but a few.
 
i see ronaldo for manchester united the same way i see distefano for river plate

both won trophies in those clubs, but they took their "legend" status to Real Madrid

i regard cantona, charlton, keano, giggsy, scholes, ole, RVN to be true manchester united legends, while i regard Ronaldo as a tremendous player we had the luck to have him at his pick for two or so years
 
Hopefully I wont have to tell my grandkids too much about Ole, because he will be into his third decade as United manager by then, and they will have seen a million and one documentaries about him.

I can dream.
 
Why is RVN more of a legend? He was here for less time and won less. He was a very important player no doubt but I can't see how he is a legend and Ronaldo isn't. Ronaldo became the absolute star of the team, capable of winning matches on his own and was essential to our success in that period at a time where we were in a real fight with Chelsea who looked like they could run away with it. We reached two champions league finals with him, winning one, again which he played a big part in. Not to mention he actually became the best player in the world, that's something we and he can always say, that for a time we had the best player in the world and played a massive part in making him the player he is.

Personally I consider him a legend, we may have had to make sacrifices to the rest of the team to give him a platform and he eventually did leave but not before giving us some great football, tonnes of goals and being a vital part in a very successful period for us. He won't be held in the same way as say Giggs, or with the same affection, but he'll always be one of the best to have played and delivered for us.
 
marcosdeto said:
i see ronaldo for manchester united the same way i see distefano for river plate

both won trophies in those clubs, but they took their "legend" status to Real Madrid

i regard cantona, charlton, keano, giggsy, scholes, ole, Ruud Van Nistelrooy to be true manchester united legends, while i regard Ronaldo as a tremendous player we had the luck to have him at his pick for two or so years
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There's name in there that sticks out like a sore thumb, especially considering the preceding sentence. :lol:

Ronaldo v RVN
  • Stayed longer
  • More appearances
  • Scored just 11 less goals for the club despite being a winger
  • Won more
  • Won everything
  • Left on MUCH better terms
  • Much better player
  • Much more exciting player

Basically he trumps him in every aspect
 
marcosdeto said:
i see ronaldo for manchester united the same way i see distefano for river plate

both won trophies in those clubs, but they took their "legend" status to Real Madrid

i regard cantona, charlton, keano, giggsy, scholes, ole, RVN to be true manchester united legends, while i regard Ronaldo as a tremendous player we had the luck to have him at his pick for two or so years
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Agree to an extent, although I'm not sure I'll call Ronaldo a Madrid legend. I'll just talk about Ronaldo the player in the same way I talk about Zidane, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and so many other greats - a wonderful player with no real club attachment. Wouldn't put it past Ronaldo to make another move in his career either. Perhaps if he stays with Madrid for another 5 years and wins a couple more titles and a CL that'll change things, but without a Champions League win I reckon he might not even be considered a legend by Madrid fans.
 
Danny1982 said:
In another 10-20 years he'll be sitting in the VIP section in the Santiago Bernabeu, following Madrid's games as Madrid's ambassador or something like that, while we're being laughed at for calling him OUR legend, who dumped us for a better club.
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Sounds a bit like you're more worried about what other people will think than about whether or not we as a group of fans can call Ronaldo a United legend. And yes, as you noted earlier, it is a vague term. Welcome to football fandom.

He'll always be a legend for me. I enjoyed his younger years as much as his world-beater ones, ridiculous haircut and ridiculous skills and all. Of course he didn't single-handedly win us the CL, but that doesn't mean we could have won it without him. Clearly we couldn't have.

To claim that he always saw us as 'just a bridge' is nonsense. He was incredibly committed and passionate, everyone at the club who talked about him said that. He lay on the centre-circle in Moscow weeping for five minutes when we won, for Christ's sake.

Ultimately, the fans still sing his name. Whether or not you approve of that doesn't change the fact that clearly most do. To use your terminology, he's a United legend whether or not he's your United legend.
 
I'm always right said:
There's name in there that sticks out like a sore thumb, especially considering the preceding sentence. :lol:

Ronaldo v RVN
  • Stayed longer
  • More appearances
  • Scored just 11 less goals for the club despite being a winger
  • Won more
  • Won everything
  • Left on MUCH better terms
  • Much better player
  • Much more exciting player

Basically he trumps him in every aspect
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most of those achievements doesnt tell me much

but is a matter of "feeling"

i felt RVN was always playing for the team, while Ronaldo was mostly playing for himself

sorry, that's how i feel, can't help it
 
Oh btw cnuts, Pedro Pinto is doing a 30 minute interview with Ronaldo on CNN this evening.
 
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