Ronaldo inspired by Best Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Ronaldo inspired
Cristiano Ronaldo will carry the memory of the late George Best into the crucial Champions League game against Benfica on Wednesday in Lisbon.
The 20-year-old Manchester United winger returns to Portugal determined to put on a show and steer the side into the knockout stages of the competition.
Defeat is unthinkable for a club where emotions are still raw following the death of one of their greatest players, who was buried on Saturday in his native Belfast.
While Ronaldo is too young to have seen Best in real time, he is aware of his special gifts thanks to video footage.
"He was a great player, absolutely fantastic," he told MUTV through an interpreter.
"He was responsible for Manchester United winning lots of trophies.
"He is a legend in football and will always be remembered by all the players."
It was against Benfica in 1966 that Best came of age.
He demolished the Portuguese giants on their own patch as Sir Matt Busby's side triumphed to reach the European Cup semi-final.
The stakes are just as high for Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson 39 years on with Villarreal and Lille the top two going into the final round of games.
The match has added spice for Ronaldo given that he played for Benfica's rivals Sporting Lisbon before moving to United in 2003.
He said: "Games between the two clubs are like United against City. There is a great atmosphere.
"It will be great to go back again. I think I will get a really warm reception.
"But the focus must be on the result against Benfica. Hopefully people will relax and enjoy the good football on display."
Since Best's death, United have paid tribute to him in the best possible way on the pitch by winning all three games against West Ham, West Brom and Portsmouth on Saturday, the day of his funeral.
Ronaldo added: "We really needed the win as we were playing at home.
"We played very well and the victory will have helped morale."
New club captain Gary Neville looks set to return to the squad on Wednesday after being rested at the weekend.
Ryan Giggs should also figure in the match after coming through the game against Portsmouth with no apparent problems following a fractured cheek bone.
