Cristiano Ronaldo:I worth every penny

Cristiano Ronaldo believes he's worth every penny of his record 80 million (C$146 million) pound transfer fee.

"I think that it's a fair figure. If Manchester United and Real Madrid agree to this amount, then there is nothing more to say," Ronaldo said in Saturday's edition of Marca. "The great players cost a lot of money, and if you want them you have to pay it. I'm happy to be the most expensive player in the world."

Ronaldo said that news of his transfer last month brought an "indescribable" feeling and that he would do all he could to prove his worth on the field.

"My objective is to go down in history as one of the best," Ronaldo said. "If I can finish as the best, then perfect. What I want is to be a part of the club of the greatest players in history."

The 24-year-old Portugal international was also looking forward to his presentation on Monday, nearly a week after Kaka was introduced to 50,000 fans. The 80,000-seat Santiago Bernabeu stadium is expected to be at full capacity.

"It doesn't matter if there are more or less people than at Kaka's presentation. The only important thing I want is to be happy on that day," said Ronaldo, who hasn't decided on a shirt number yet with captain Raul Gonzalez already holding his preferred No. 7 jersey.

Madrid president Florentino Perez has spent C$339 million on Ronaldo, Kaka, Lyon striker Karim Benzema and Valencia defender Raul Albiol. Perez's latest "galactico" project isn't finished yet, with more Spanish players promised to arrive while Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery is also a target.

"He's building a great team and changing the club's structures," Ronaldo said. "His ideas are very good and he's revolutionized world football with the amount of money he's spent and the signings he's made."

Ronaldo had only kind words for Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who brought the Portuguese winger to Old Trafford from Sporting in 2003. Ronaldo said he would travel to Manchester in the days after his presentation to show his thanks.

"I owe everything that I've learned to him: the way to think, how to adopt certain decisions in my life. He's been fundamental," Ronaldo said.

Real Madrid to launch a new bit for Ashley Cole

Real Madrid are said to be launching a bid for Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole.

According to a report in The Sun today, left-back Cole has rejected a new contract at Stamford Bridge as he was not going to be on a par with the highest earners at the club.

As a result, big-spending Madrid president Florentino Perez is set to pounce, with new head coach Manuel Pellegrini known to be a long-term admirer of the full-back.

The former Arsenal star is said to be keen to stay at Chelsea but would be willing to leave if the contract is not right, with Spanish and European champions Barcelona also credited with an interest in his signature.

A "source" close to Cole is quoted in the report as saying, "Ashley loves Chelsea and is genuinely excited about working with new boss Carlo Ancelotti.

"He wants to give the best years of his career to the club but the deal has to be right for such an important contract.

"He needs to feel as valued as any of the club's other top players."

Cole, who has won 73 caps for his country, featured 42 times for the Blues last season and scored once, winning his fifth FA Cup medal in May.

Agents:Real Madrid wants to transfer Inter's Maicon

Maicon has been strongly linked with a move away from the San Siro, Chelsea and Real Madrid both being mooted as interested parties.

Speculation concerning an impeding exit by Maicon has intensified after Inter refused to grant the Brazilian an improved contract.

Real Madrid are currently busy in the transfer market, trying to sign Franck Ribery from Bayern Munich and Liverpool's Xabi Alonso, but Maicon's representative believes Florentino Perez will come knocking for his charge once the dust settles.

"For the moment there is nothing, but in my opinion the situation is destined to change," Antonio Caliendo told Corriere dello Sport.

"After signing [Karim] Benzema, now Real are focused on Ribery and Xabi Alonso, but I think they will return for Maicon afterwards."

Caliendo is confident Real are interested in Maicon, whom he considers to be the best right-back in the business.

He added: "I have said it before and I will repeat it: I hope for an approach from them [Real Madrid] to try to sign him because he is the best in the world in his position.

"If Real Madrid return for the player, this time the offer will arrive. And if the fee is adequate, then it could all be settled soon.

"I think Maicon would be the icing on top of Real Madrid's cake."

Player Profile: Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema (pronounced /bɛnˈziːmə/ or /bɛnˈzeɪmə/, born 19 December 1987 in Lyon), is a French footballer who plays as a striker who plays for Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyonnais and the French national team.

Benzema came through the youth academy at Lyon and has been capped at senior level for France. He played in UEFA Euro 2008 and was the top goalscorer in Ligue 1 for the 2007–08 season, just 3 seasons after making his professional debut. This was also his breakthrough season which saw him earn many awards and a new contract which resulted in him becoming one of the highest-paid footballers in France.

On 1 July 2009, it was announced that Lyon had reached an agreement with Spanish club Real Madrid for the transfer of Benzema. The transfer fee was priced at €35m with the fee rising to as much as €41m based on incentives.^[4] He will complete his transfer after taking a medical and signing his six-year contract.

Early life

Born in Lyon to parents of Algerian-Kabyle descent,^[5][6][7] Karim grew up with 8 siblings and his father Hafid in the district of Bron.^[8] His grandfather, Da Lakehal Benzema, lived in the village of Tighzert, located in the northern town of Beni Djellil in Algeria before migrating to Lyon, where he eventually settled, in the 1950s.^[9]

Early career

Benzema is a product of the Olympique Lyonnais Academy. Before joining Lyon, he trained at local Rhône-Alpes club Bron Terraillon SC in the commune Bron, a suburb of Lyon. His performances with Bron's juvenile team caught the attention of Lyon scouts and he joined the academy in 1996 at the age of 9.^[10] Benzema quickly ascending up the ranks scoring 38 goals in one season with Lyon's under-16 team^[11] and scoring 12 goals in 14 matches with the under-18 team before earning a call up to the senior squad by manager Paul Le Guen.

He made his league debut for Lyon on January 15, 2005, during the 2004–05 season, in a match against Metz coming on as a substitute in the 77^th minute. Lyon won the match 2–0 with Benzema providing the assist on the second goal scored by Bryan Bergougnoux.^[12] Five days later, he signed his first professional contract agreeing to a three-year deal.^[13] Over the next two seasons, his play was limited making a total of 34 appearances and scoring 6 goals, including his first ever against AC Ajaccio in a 3–1 win^[14], as well as his first UEFA Champions League goal against Norwegian club Rosenborg in a 2–1 victory.^[15]

International career

Benzema has earned caps with all of France's youth teams. In 2004, he was a part of the under-17 squad that won the 2004 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship,^[47] their first ever.^[48] Before representing France, Benzema was eligible for Algeria and was called up to the squad by the Fédération Algérienne de Football in December 2006^[49], but turned them down stating, "Algeria is my parents’ country and it is in my heart, but football-wise I will only play for the French national team."^[50]

On 28 March 2007, Benzema won his first cap for France against Austria, scoring the only goal in a 1–0 win for France.^[51] His next two goals came in one game against the Faroe Islands, who France subsequently beat 6–0.^[52]

He was selected to represent France at Euro 2008. France's Euro 2008 campaign got off to a bad start with a 0–0 draw against Romania^[53] and after a muted performance, he was substituted in the second half and played no part in their following game, a 1–4 defeat to the Netherlands.^[54] In the last group game, France lost 2-0 to Italy and Benzema featured in the starting lineup.^[55]He has now adopted the number ten for France. He scored his last goal for France from the penalty spot against Turkey on 5 June 2009 in a friendly where they won 1–0.^[56]

Honours

Club

Lyon

• Ligue 1:
  • Winner (4): 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08
• Trophée Des Champions:
  • Winner (2): 2006, 2007
• Peace Cup:
  • Winner (1): 2007
• Coupe de France:
  • Winner (1): 2008

International

France

• UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship:
  • Winner (1): 2004

Individual

• Ligue 1 Top Goalscorer: 2007–08
• Ligue 1 Player of the Year: 2007–08
• Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2007–08
• UNFP Player of the Month: January 2008^[59]
• Bravo Award: 2008

Kaka wants to see Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid

Kaka has revealed that he would like to play alongside Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid if the Spanish giants can prise the midfielder away from Liverpool.

The Brazilian superstar knows all about the talents of the Anfield playmaker having come up against him twice in the Champions League final and wants him to be a new team-mate.

Madrid are intent on making a move for Alonso, but have made it clear that they will wait until later in the month to avoid paying his former club, Real Sociedad, a percentage of any fee.

"I've played against him in two European Cup finals," Kaka told Spanish media when asked about Alonso.

"He is an excellent player and Spanish so he would be very welcome."

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is in for a busy month as Madrid's move for Alonso could be quickly followed by a bid from Barcelona for Javier Mascherano.

Los Merengues have already signed four new players this summer with Karim Benzema following Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul Albiol.