Ronaldo eyes return and glory for Real Madrid
Real Madrid's record-signing Cristiano Ronaldo has said he hopes to play in the club's first Champions League game of the season against Ajax on Wednesday.
Ronaldo, purchased by the club from Manchester United for £80m last summer, bruised his ankle in Real Madrid's first domestic league game against Mallorca last week.
After missing Portugal's Euro 2012 qualifying matches and being ruled out of Real's game against Osasuna on Saturday, the Portuguese star has said he is nearing full fitness.
"I just think about helping the team and believe I can be ready for the match against Ajax," Ronaldo said at a press conference. "I feel better and we will see how it evolves. I'm still not perfect but almost at 100 per cent. I will return as soon as possible and we'll see in a couple of days and if I can rejoin the group."
Strong first season
Another ankle injury sidelined the winger for six weeks at the beginning of last season, during which he scored an impressive 26 goals in 29 league appearances.
While Ronaldo confirmed his desire to keep up his scoring record, the 25-year-old also said that goals are not all that matters to him.
"I will try to score as many goals as possible this year, but I will also provide assists and help in any way I can. Sometimes goals aren't what count."
Mourinho under pressure
Real have gone without silverware since the 2006-07 season, when Fabio Capello led the Spaniards to the domestic league title. This summer, another heavyweight manager, Jose Mourinho, was recruited to in the club's hunt for trophies.
Hailing him as "one of the best managers in the world," Ronaldo said he is enjoying his countryman's leadership so far.
Mourinho has won the Champions League with FC Porto and Inter Milan, both underdogs in the competition, so he will be expected to deliver results in Europe as well as in Spain.
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