Real Madrid And Portugal Star Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes A Father

Real Madrid star and former Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that he has become a father.

The announcement came on Saturday night via his official Twitter account and Facebook page in which the 25-year-old stated that the newborn child will be under his "exclusive guardianship". However, the former Manchester United star didn't disclose the identity of the mother.

The full statement on Ronaldo's official Facebook page reads:

"It is with great joy and emotion that I inform I have recently become father to a baby boy. As agreed with the baby's mother, who prefers to have her identity kept confidential, my son will be under my exclusive guardianship.

"No further information will be provided on this subject and I request everyone to fully respect my right to privacy (and that of the child) at least on issues as personal as these are."

Ronaldo has had a disappointing time with Portugal in South Africa, where his team lost 1-0 to Spain in the second round of the World Cup.

Mourinho defends Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho insists Cristiano Ronaldo should not shoulder the blame for Portugal's World Cup exit.

Mourinho has defended his fellow countryman, who the former Chelsea boss will be coaching next season having moved to Santiago Bernabeu after his Treble triumph with Inter Milan.

Ronaldo failed to shine at the World Cupand could not prevent Portugal from crashing out of the competition at the hands of rivals Spain at the second round stage.

The 25-year-old admitted he was a 'broken man' after the tournament, but national team bossCarlos Queiroz later hinted the world' most expensive player needs to do more do deserve his place in the side.

Now Mourinho has added his voice to the issue, and has pledged that Real will not always look to the former Manchester United star to be their sole inspiration.

"I will not allow all the responsibilities of the team to fall on Ronaldo," he told Marca.

"In my teams, when we win, we all win, and when we lose, I lose - so Ronaldo can relax and enjoy his holidays."

S. Ramos:"Mourinho will land Gerard and A.Cole"

REAL MADRID star Sergio Ramos insists new Bernabeu boss Jose Mourinho will land Steven Gerrard AND Ashley Cole this summer.

Ramos, 24, who can play at centre-back or full-back, says the pair will follow in the footsteps of fellow Englishmen David Beckham and Michael Owen by joining the Madrid mega-club.

Mourinho, who has just won the Treble with Inter Milan, is a long-time admirer of Liverpool skipper Gerro and signed Cole from Arsenal when he was in charge at Chelsea.

And Ramos said: “We are a club that is always looking to improve by adding the best players in the world.

“We have a proven record of signing English players – with David and Michael – and it would not surprise me at all if our two new arrivals this summer were English. Ashley Cole is a terrific player.

“For me, he is by far the best left-back in the world and, along with Drogba, Chelsea’s best player.

“I am sure Chelsea will do all they can to keep him but he had a difficult year in England.

“A change might be what he is looking for. When a player is the best in his position in the world and doesn’t play for Real Madrid, you have to consider it a waste.

“He has done everything in England for Arsenal and Chelsea. It’s now time for him to come and win La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho.”

And it is the Portuguese boss who Ramos believes will seal the deal.

He added: “Jose will know all about him. He has a history of signing players and trying to sign players from his previous clubs.

“More importantly, players seem to love playing under him.

“I spoke with Cristiano Ronaldo about him – and he told me Cole is the toughest defender he has ever played against.

“That’s quite a compliment coming from the world’s best player and he is exactly the sort of player we want.”

As for Gerrard, Ramos thinks Liverpool’s lack of cash – and failure to win a major trophy in the past four seasons – will prove crucial.

He added: “I think Madrid’s admiration of Steven Gerrard is not a secret.

“He is at the point now where he needs to win things. I can guarantee that under this Real Madrid set-up he will win things. I really think both of them are Real Madrid-bound.”

Real Madrid confirms Di Maria deal

Real Madrid have confirmed they have reached an agreement with Benfica over the transfer of Argentina winger Angel di Maria.

His switch to the Bernabeu, on a six-year deal, is reported to be worth 25 million euros (£20.3m).

The 22-year-old, who is currently part of his country's World Cup squad, becomes Jose Mourinho's first signing since taking charge at Real last month.

Di Maria moved to Portugal in 2007 from Argentine side Rosario Central.

The attacking midfielder has started all four of his country's World Cup matches so far, playing on the left side of a central three - although he has not yet hit top form in South Africa.

Di Maria won the World Under-20 Championship with Argentina in 2007 and scored the extra-time winner against Holland in the final of the 2008 Olympic Games.

But he especially caught the eye of Europe's top clubs last season as he helped Benfica to a Portuguese league and cup Double.

Despite reported interest from elsewhere, Di Maria has opted to become the first player to join Mourinho in Madrid since the ex-Inter, Chelsea and Porto boss signed a four-year deal with the Spanish giants on 31 May.

Mourinho is interested in Schweinsteiger

According to the Spanish AS newspaper, Mourinho has put the 25-year-old German international on a shortlist of midfielders he wants to sign, along with Liverpool's Steven Gerrard , Roma's Daniele De Rossi and Athletic Bilbao 's Javi Martínez.
A fortnight ago, it was reported that Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti had alreadylined up Schweinsteiger as a replacement for Michael Ballack and was willing to make a £25-million bid to secure his signature.

Schweinsteiger was instrumental in Bayern Munich capturing the domestic double and reaching the Champions League final last season.
His three-million-euro-a-season contract at Bayern runs until 2012.

Kaka: Gerard must join Real Madrid

BRAZIL ace Kaka insists Steven Gerrard MUST join Real Madrid to win the trophies he deserves as one of the world’s best players.

Kaka, 28, who is in South Africa as part of Carlos Dunga’s squad, has the highest regard for Liverpool and England skipper Gerro and said: “He would get into any team in the world.”

And he believes a role within Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid revolution would see him win the trophies he craves.

“He is one of the few players in the world that has the ability to be a Madrid player,” said playmaker Kaka.

Gerrard, 30, has yet to decide his future after Liverpool finished only seventh in the Premier League last season. With no manager appointed since Rafa Benitez’s departure, Kaka added: “I would urge him to join Madrid.

“If you never play for Madrid, then there will always be something missing.

“There is no greater achievement than wearing the white shirt of Madrid.

“His next contract will be his last big one – and that’s a big choice not just financially but about what you can win.”

Mourinho (left) tried three times to lure Gerrard to Chelsea when he was boss.

And Kaka added: “I am sure Gerrard respects Jose a lot and Madrid would be the ideal move for him.”