Ronaldo goal spree lifts Portugal’s hopes

Cristiano Ronaldo’s dazzling season of goals, awards and club triumph has given Portugal hope of becoming European champions.

The winger rattled in a remarkable 42 goals as he helped Manchester United retain their domestic title and win the Champions League final against Chelsea in Moscow, Russia.

“On a couple of occasions this season he has features as a centre-forward and he has got four goals... which is a great strike rate,” Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said.

Ronaldo is now seen as Portugal’s pivot for the European Championships.

With his clever step-overs, fast footwork and good heading abilities, Ronaldo has shown his range of skills to the full this season. In particular, his free kick has been second to none.

After an astonishing dead-ball strike against Portsmouth this season, Ferguson told reporters: “It was a marvellous hit. No goalkeeper in the world would have saved that. It’s the best free kick I’ve seen in the Premier League.”

His step-overs and tricks brought criticism though during Manchester United’s European campaign from Roma’s Chilean midfielder David Pizarro, who accused him of lacking respect for his opponents.

Born on the island of Madeira, he was named Ronaldo as a tribute to former United States President Ronald Reagan.

He left Madeira to join Sporting and later moved to Old Trafford as a in a £12.5 million transfer.

It will rank with the best investments the club has ever made.