This video from a Champions League clash between Benfica and Manchester United is well worth a look, even though the footage flickers. Watch Cristiano Ronaldo’s hands very carefully.
Blowing snot out of your nose without a hankie is generally frowned upon (ask your mum if you don’t believe me.) Wiping it in someone else’s hair is the action of a bad, bad man. Poor Nuno Gomes thought it was a friendly pat on the head and returned the favour. If Ronaldo’s prepared to do that to his compatriot, how far would he go to get one up on someone who isn’t Portuguese?
Garrincha’s Dog gets an awful lot of hits from surfers searching for football adverts. So I thought I’d add a few classic ads, to make sure they don’t leave unhappy.
This is Nike’s offering for Euro 2004. Portugal against Brazil - in the tunnel and on the pitch - to a Papa Loves Mambo soundtrack by Perry Como. Luis Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Denilson, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo all feature in a star-packed 90 seconds. And there are cameos from Eric Cantona and Ruud van Nistelrooy, too.
As good as it is, I still think there’s something to be said for Peter Schmeichel and Danish bacon.
The third place play-off against Germany saw Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo raise his game to new heights. His take off, the limp lifeless form of his body and the seemingly neverending flight are all magnificent, of course, but exactly what we’ve come to expect of the Manchester United winger. It’s the rotation towards the referee and the television cameras that’s truly exceptional.