SPORTS NOTES EXTRA - THE RONALDO BUZZ AGAIN

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

It seems that it won't go away the talk that Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo will leave the club at the end of this season and join Real Madrid in a $110 million deal - David Moyes is rumored to be the man Alex Ferguson would like to replace him when he retires. - TOUGH TIME FOR BRAZIL FOOTBALL

Wednesday April 22, 2009

WHAT'S THE DEAL?

It seems that it won't go away the talk that Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo will leave the club at the end of this season and join Real Madrid in a $110 million deal. Ramone Calderon is supposedly the man in the middle with the agreement having been made prior to his departure from Real. Word has it that he will run for reelection with hopes to rejoin the club this summer.

In a show of strength a few weeks ago Ronaldo appeared at a press conference with Sir Alex Ferguson and said, "I am happy with the club. I think this is the right club for me. We have the best team in England. We have everything to win the champions League as well."

The question is what can Fergie believe is he being played by Ronaldo or is he involved in a game of truth or consequences? Calderon is like former Man City owner Thaksin Shinawatra… you can't get rid of him. Stay tuned…

THE REPLACEMENT?

After this past weeks loss on penalty kicks to Everton in the FA Cup semifinal it was ironic the loss came to the club managed by David Moyes who is rumored to be the man Fergie would like to replace him when he retires.

TOUGH TIME FOR BRAZIL FOOTBALL

When it comes to football over the years Brazil has ruled the roost. This season has been a tough one for the Brazilians as their national side has yet to regain their number one dominance in the FIFA world rankings. They have been floundering around the 3rd and 4th positions for some time. This month they are ranked 4th.

Robinho started the season by rocking the football world when he signed with Manchester City over Chelsea. That move diminished the respect for him from many of ht football pundits who accused him of playing for the money and not considering his football career by signing with one of the top teams in the world capable of winning championships. He's being labeled as a problem child.

His production at Man City is spotty and has developed the reputation that he can't score goals away from home. In the recent win 4-2 against bottom dwellers West Brom Robinho scored his firs t goal in 2009.

The negative Brazil ripple effect developed as Chelsea's Brazilian manager Luiz Felipe Scolari had a difficult time getting his Chelsea charges to perform at their level best. The word is that Robinho's decision not to join the squad had Luiz comparing the Chelsea players to Robinho's skills. That could have caused dissension. The club's unrest and poor performance led to his dismissal.

The negatives continue as Adriano went AWOL as did Robinho earlier this season. The latest word is that he has lost his desire to play the game.

Last season Ronaldinho caused some grief while with Barcelona. Since moving on to A.C. Milan he hasn't achieved his previous form and Barcelona is reaping their rewards by reaching the semifinals of the Champions League. Their striker rich side featuring Lionel Messi, Samuel Etoó and Thierry Henry have registered 84 goals in all competitions thus far this season. Messi and Etoó have 31 each while Henry has 22. The end result is the football is truly becoming the world game and not Brazil's.

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