UEFA Euro 2012: The Cristiano Ronaldo
June, 6, 2012
6/06/12
11:02
AM ET
By
Patrick Dorsey | ESPN.com
UEFA Euro 2012, one of soccer's top international competitions, kicks off June 8. In anticipation of this eagerly awaited event, Playbook is teaming up with ESPN FC to offer sights and other delights from each participating nation.
We pretty much said this for Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but it goes double here: Love him or hate him, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo boasts two undeniable things: Talent -- just ask our experts about the Real Madrid talisman, ranked No. 1 in Europe by ESPN FC -- and style.
Here's a look at the latter:
Patricia De Melo Moreira/GettyImagesRonaldo waves to the fans at the Lisbon airport on Monday, ready to board a flight for Poland.
Paulo Cunha/AFP/GettyImagesRonaldo sits as the team is paraded through Obidos, after Portugal's pre-Euro training camp.
Ronaldo as part of a kinda PG-13 Armani campaign.
Europa Press/Europa Press/Getty ImagesRonaldo and his girlfriend, model Irina Shayk, attend the Madrid Open tennis tournament.
Behind the scenes at Armani. Still kinda PG-13.
Sebastien Nogier/AFP/Getty ImagesRonaldo might not always outshine Xavi or Lionel Messi, right, on the pitch. But on stage ...
Juan Naharro Gimenez/WireImageRonaldo and fancy cars? Somehow we're ... shocked. (Yeah, we're not shocked.)
Did we say something about cars?
AFP/Getty ImagesRonaldo often can seem larger than life, such as at this news conference in Dubai.
Ronaldo talking about preparing for a match, for a Nike ad.
Dani Pozo/Getty ImagesIt symbolizes goals, sure. But would you really be surprised if Ronaldo wore actual golden boots?
Javier Soriano/Getty ImagesEven on the pitch, Ronaldo (mostly) maintains his impeccably manicured hairstyle.
TRIVIA
Against what soccer power did Ronaldo make his debut as Portugal captain in 2007, to honor the request of late Portuguese soccer executive Carlos Silva?
We pretty much said this for Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but it goes double here: Love him or hate him, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo boasts two undeniable things: Talent -- just ask our experts about the Real Madrid talisman, ranked No. 1 in Europe by ESPN FC -- and style.
Here's a look at the latter:
Patricia De Melo Moreira/GettyImagesRonaldo waves to the fans at the Lisbon airport on Monday, ready to board a flight for Poland.Paulo Cunha/AFP/GettyImagesRonaldo sits as the team is paraded through Obidos, after Portugal's pre-Euro training camp.Europa Press/Europa Press/Getty ImagesRonaldo and his girlfriend, model Irina Shayk, attend the Madrid Open tennis tournament.Sebastien Nogier/AFP/Getty ImagesRonaldo might not always outshine Xavi or Lionel Messi, right, on the pitch. But on stage ...Juan Naharro Gimenez/WireImageRonaldo and fancy cars? Somehow we're ... shocked. (Yeah, we're not shocked.)AFP/Getty ImagesRonaldo often can seem larger than life, such as at this news conference in Dubai.Dani Pozo/Getty ImagesIt symbolizes goals, sure. But would you really be surprised if Ronaldo wore actual golden boots?Javier Soriano/Getty ImagesEven on the pitch, Ronaldo (mostly) maintains his impeccably manicured hairstyle.TRIVIA
Against what soccer power did Ronaldo make his debut as Portugal captain in 2007, to honor the request of late Portuguese soccer executive Carlos Silva?
Patrick Dorsey | email
PlaybookPatrick Dorsey is a Playbook editor. He has worked for the Web and newspapers, had a cup of craft service coffee in film school, and played in one Division III golf tournament (he shot 105).
ABOUT PLAYBOOK VISUALS
• Fandom: Humor, fans and off-beat items
• Trending: Sports lifestyle, culture
• Tech: Sports technology, video games
• Dollars: The world of sports business
• Sounds: The collision of sports, music
• Coordinates: International sports
PHOTO BOOTH
Visit the Weird Web archive right now to see and submit your own favorite viral videos.
You must be signed in to post a comment