Can Portugal win Euro 2008? Cristiano Ronaldo thinks so

Perhaps the world's best player this season, Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to translate his success at Manchester United to Portugal. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

By José Manuel Delgado, Special to SI.com, World Soccer

Can the world's most prolific player translate his success at the club level this season to the European Championship? ESM's José Manuel Delgado catches up with golden boy Cristiano Ronaldo, whose Portugal team kicks off its Euro quest on Saturday against Turkey.

World Soccer: You have had a long and hard season. Can you maintain your outstanding form into the Euro finals?

Cristiano Ronaldo: Yes, it has been a very demanding season, but all the work I have done throughout the season has been with the knowledge that I would be going to the European finals at the end of it, so I expect to be at 100 percent.

World Soccer: Is there any difference between the way you play for your country and for your club?

Ronaldo: I don't believe so. I do not try to give anything different to one team than to the other. Obviously, when you play in different teams in a different context then the matches will be played differently but that's not a personal thing.

World Soccer: Would you like Luiz Felipe Scolari to stay on as coach for the World Cup qualifying campaign?

Ronaldo: If it were up to me I would be very happy for him to carry on with the job. Of course, it's not my decision.

World Soccer: Do you still encounter any backlash from the quarterfinal against England at the last World Cup?

Ronaldo: That's now a long way in the past. Football moves on. A great deal has happened since then. Having said that, the reaction from some people just served as a motivation for me to do even better than before. I have no regrets, if that is what you mean.

World Soccer: And you're happy now at Manchester United?

Ronaldo: Of course. Everyone must know that by now.

World Soccer: How do you cope with being perpetually under scrutiny by the English media, in particular the tabloids?

Ronaldo: I've become accustomed to the stories that get made up about me. It's not an issue.

World Soccer: Suddenly, it seems, you have emerged as a free-kick specialist to earn comparisons with your United predecessor, David Beckham. What is your secret?

Ronaldo: There is no secret. Like most things in my career, it's all a matter of commitment, dedication and hard work in training. Also, of course, when these things work out for you then that gives you more confidence. It's a self-fulfilling aspect of football.

World Soccer: If Portugal wins in Vienna on June 29, it will be its first major senior title. Can you do it?

Ronaldo: We have every chance. We will work to achieve just that, the best possible outcome. There is no point going otherwise.

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