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Home > Sports > Football > Reuters > Report

Ronaldo ready to make it a season to remember

September 20, 2003 14:54 IST

World Player of the Year Ronaldo is enjoying his football more than ever at Real Madrid and says the Spanish champions could make it a season to remember.

"We're all having fun while we're on the pitch," the Brazil striker told reporters on Friday. "At times 90 minutes don't really seem enough because we are enjoying ourselves so much."

"It was much less fun at Inter (Milan) that's for sure."

Real have started the season in impressive fashion and grabbed the headlines this week after following up their 7-2 crushing of Valladolid at the Bernabeu with a sparkling 4-2 win over Olympique Marseille in the Champions League.

"The other day (against Marseille) we started to play after we went a goal behind and made a fantastic comeback," said the former Barcelona player. "I think that with the players we have in the team we could have an unforgettable season."

Ronaldo, who joined Real from Inter for 45 million euros ($50.83 million) at the start of last season, has set himself a target of 35 goals in all competitions this season.

Two neat finishes in midweek against Marseille brought his total for the season to five and the Brazilian, who turns 27 next week, sees no reason why his good run should not continue.

"I'm in good form at the moment," he said. "This is just the start, but my aim is to score as many goals as possible and if I reach my target I will be doing my bit for the team."

MORE BALANCED

He said the arrival of new signing David Beckham from Manchester United had helped take some of the pressure off him.

"I'm a lot calmer than last season because this time it is Beckham who is the centre of attention, although having said that there are so many stars in the team that the responsibility is divided between all of us."

But the Brazilian said the England captain had also helped make Real a more balanced team, especially since switching to the centre of midfield.

"Beckham was already a great player at Manchester United, but he will become even better at Real Madrid," he said.

"He has brought extra quality to the midfield, he misses very few passes and is surprising a lot of people. He is certainly proving his worth.

"Beckham is very happy in the centre of midfield and has shown that in recent matches. The other thing is that Figo is more at home on the (right) wing."

Real, who are second in the Spanish first division, will be strong favourites to claim another comfortable win when they travel to Malaga for their next league match on Sunday.

The Andalucians have earned just one point from their first three matches and have yet to score a goal.



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