Cristiano Ronaldo admits confidence is flowing following his two goals for Real Madrid at the weekend as he tries to help Portugal get their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign back on track.
Cristiano Ronaldo admits confidence is flowing following his two goals for Real Madrid at the weekend as he tries to help Portugal get their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign back on track.
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The world's most expensive player had got on the scoresheet just once in Madrid's opening seven league and Champions League matches, and that goal came from the penalty spot against Espanyol.
However, the ufffd80million signing from Manchester United was twice on target against Deportivo La Coruna, netting first and last in a 6-1 win which saw Madrid finally rediscover their shooting boots after scoring only nine times in their first seven fixtures under new coach Jose Mourinho.
Speaking today after joining up with Portugal for international duty, Ronaldo was quoted as saying by Spanish newspaper Marca: "The goals have given me confidence, when you score and you play well the confidence grows. I'm feeling better all the time and ready to help the national side."
That can only be good news for Portugal, who host Denmark in their third Euro 2012 qualifying game in Porto on Friday, having drawn 4-4 with Cyprus and lost 1-0 to Norway in their opening two matches in Group H.
Ronaldo, who missed both those games due to an ankle injury, said of his country's woes: "The past is the past, now we have to think about the present. If we win the next two games we will breath a little easier.
"We are in a difficult situation, but the team is very well. We're anxious for Friday's game to come, and to win."
After facing Denmark, Portugal, under the guidance of new coach Paulo Bento, travel to Iceland next week for their fourth qualifier.
Meanwhile, reflecting on the first six weeks of the Primera Division, Ronaldo believes this season's title fight may not be limited to just a two-horse race between his side and Barcelona, as has been the case several times in recent campaigns.
Last season was a prime example, with Barca and Madrid occupying the top two spots for all but the opening weekend, with Pep Guardiola's side eventually retaining their title with 99 points - three more than Madrid and a massive 28 more than third-placed Valencia.
However, Ronaldo believes it could be a different story this time around. Currently, Valencia lead the way with 16 points from six games, one more than second-placed Villarreal. Madrid are third with 14 points and Barca are fourth on 13.
He added: "We shouldn't worry only about Barca, because other teams are doing very well also. For example Valencia are first in the table. We need to continue working hard to continue fighting for the league.
"The team (Madrid) have shown that we are getting better, we are growing and improving in many aspects. We're having a great start to the league."
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