Ronaldo focussed despite outside pressures, claims Ferreira

Cristiano Ronaldo is totally focussed on adding the Euro 2008 title to the Premiership and Champions League trophies he won with Manchester United this season and not being distracted about his future claimed squad mate Paulo Ferreira on Wednesday.

Ferreira said that the 23-year-old – who scored 41 goals in all competitions for United – was mentally strong enough to ignore the frenzy of uncertainty surrounding his future at club level, though, United insist he is not going anywhere and even his most ardent suitor Real Madrid have admitted the likelihood of him joining them is slim.

Ronaldo, though, is due to reveal where his immediate future lies at a press conference on Thursday.

“In spite of the clubs offers, he (Ronaldo) is mentally tough enough to remain focussed on the task in hand,” said Ferreira, who saw his Chelsea side finish second best to United in both the Premiership and Champions League.

“Cristiano is a winner. He is in my opinion the best player in the world. He will have a great tournament.”

Portugal open their Group A campaign against 2002 World Cup semi-finalists Turkey on Saturday in Geneva, then play 2004 semi-finalists the Czech Republic in Geneva on June 11 and round off their group matches against co-hosts Switzerland in Basel on June 15.