TheDailyJournal

Ronaldo says he always sought Euro award

||| Portugal’s Ronaldo passed over Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres. ||| He has scored eight league goals in 11 games after a sluggish return.

Cristiano Ronaldo always believed he could become Europe's footballer of the year, but Tuesday's latest award will only sharpen the scrutiny that vexes the Manchester United star.
While the France Football magazine poll emphatically handed the Ballon d'Or to Ronaldo, the 23-year-old winger is braced for further jeers and whistles from envious fans.
For as much as last season's 42-goal haul en route to the Champions League and Premier League titles enthralled the Old Trafford faithful, each strike and move just provided further ammunition to rival fans. Europe's football experts, though, remain in awe of the talent. The Portugal international added to a string of English awards and the FIFPro World Player of the Year trophy he won in October by topping the Golden Ball voting with 446 points.
It was nothing less than Ronaldo expected from his earliest days at Sporting Lisbon. "When I started to be a professional footballer I always believed I would have the chance to win it one day because I think I have the possibility because of my personality and my character," Ronaldo said Tuesday.
"The thing about Ronaldo is that he wants to play with skill and he wants to use the skill all the time, which is great credit to him. Of course the goals really put the icing on the cake for him," Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said.
Ferguson's praise comes on the heels of the offseason's drawn-out transfer saga when Ronaldo tried to force a move to Real Madrid.
Ankle surgery delayed Ronaldo's entry this season until Sept. 17. He has scored eight league goals in 11 games after a sluggish return, while being fully aware that "every movement I make, on or off the pitch is analyzed to death."   

SPORTS

Plaxico Burress arrived at Giants Stadium, facing the possibility his career could be over and he could land in jail after accidentally shooting himself in a nightclub. Burress drove up to the stadium tunnel, one day after he was charged with illegal gun possession. 

McGrady will miss three weeks

Houston Rockets guard Tracy McGrady says he'll miss three weeks to rehabilitate his sore left knee. McGrady has missed the last three games after starting the first 15. He had arthroscopic surgery in May, and admitted he came back too soon. McGrady is Houston's second-leading scorer, averaging 15.6 points this season.    

Madrid agrees to sign Huntelaar

Real Madrid has agreed to sign Klaus-Jan Huntelaar from Ajax for an initial $25.4 million.
The Dutch club says on its Web site that it could end up getting as much as $34.3 million for its captain, who is currently injured but will move to the defending Spanish champion in the January transfer window.    

living 

Britney Spears is taking her “Circus” act on the road. In an appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” the pop star announced that her North American arena tour will open March 3 in New Orleans. ”      

Patrick Swayze
winning fight against cancer

Patrick Swayze is angry about tabloid reports that say he does not have long to live. The actor, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year, issued a statement Tuesday affirming that so far he is winning his fight against the disease and responding well to treatment. 

Pitt has strong words for
the paparazzi

Brad Pitt has some strong words for the paparazzi. In an interview on NBC's "Today" show, Pitt said: "I hate them. I hate these people." Pitt said there should be laws against celebrity photographers who "climb over your walls and calling out your kids' names as you're trying to take them to school."