Ronaldo promises good show Sunday, February 10, 2008
Cristiano Ronaldo has vowed to put on a show against bitter rivals Manchester City this afternoon in order to honour the memory of all those who perished during the Munich air disaster 50 years ago.
Manchester United has become synonymous with entertaining, attacking football as a large part due to the mould in which Sir Matt Busby rebuilt the team after the terrible tragedy. With this in mind, Ronaldo insists that such a special occasion demands a special performance.
"I will tell myself: 'Cristiano, you need to play good. You have to show it in your football'"," said the Portuguese wing wizard.
"There will be people in the stadium who remember Munich; families, fathers with their sons, grandmothers. It is important to respect their memories and to remember they will want us to win, and to do it playing Manchester United football.
"This game will be different to any other I have played in. It is not just about now. It is about the history of the club, the players who were here before. We need to respect that."
Ronaldo then reiterated that he already has a special place in mind for the retro kit that is being specially made up to mark the occasion.
"I have told Alby (kit man Albert Morgan) that I won't give away my shirt for this game," he said. "I've seen the kit and it's a wonderful way to honour what happened 50 years ago.
"I sometimes swap shirts or give them away, but not this one. It is going on my wall at home with the shirt I wore when I won the FA Cup, and my first hat-trick against Newcastle. I have a collection of matchballs, boots, fans' awards and other things. This will be at the centre of it."
