Cristiano Ronaldo's continuous stellar performances have quickly made him a new darling of Manchester United fans.Whenever he touches the ball, a wave of anticipation and excitement erupts from the Old Trafford stands.The initial criticisms of his perceived selfishness have gradually dissipated with each assist and team play.
His relationship with Van Nistelrooy, while not exactly intimate, had at least forged a professional friendship based on mutual respect and a shared desire to win.In the locker room, he began to integrate in his own unique way.He would humbly seek advice from Keane on defensive techniques, discuss passing timing with Scholes, and even debate a defensive detail with Gary Neville.His English was improving rapidly; though accented, his expression was becoming increasingly clear and powerful.
Sir Alex Ferguson had seen it all.He knew it was time to give this fledgling eagle, which had begun to spread its wings, more space and trust.
A week later, Manchester United hosted Newcastle United at Old Trafford.When the starting lineups were announced before the match, a subtle change caught everyone's attention: Cristiano Ronaldo made his first Premier League starting appearance.
"How does it feel to start, boss?" Ryan Giggs nudged him with his elbow in the player tunnel, his tone encouraging.
Cristiano Ronaldo took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and looked firmly ahead: "I feel.it's time."
It's time to truly declare our existence on this stage!
The match was a high-speed, competitive affair from the start.Newcastle are no pushovers; they boast a legendary striker like Alan Shearer and a team brimming with fighting spirit.
In his first start, Cristiano Ronaldo became Newcastle's primary target.Almost every touch of the ball drew fierce tackles and physical challenges from the opposing players.The opposition had clearly studied him, their defense very targeted, trying to deny him the angle to cut inside and shoot, forcing him to cross from the outside.
In the first thirty minutes or so, Ronaldo had made several good breakthroughs, but his final touches were always just a hair's breadth off, narrowly missing a goal.The opposing defenders' dirty tricks and trash talk never stopped.
"Kid, your good luck has run out!"
"This isn't Portugal, get back to the wing!"
If he were a newcomer, he might have lost his composure because of this.But now, having undergone a much more severe psychological test, Ronaldo remains completely calm, even somewhat amused.This level of interference is like the buzzing of mosquitoes to him.
During a dead ball situation, he simply walked up to the incessantly talking opposing defender and said in a low, accented but icy English, "Your nonsense will only make you look more ridiculous later."
The defender was intimidated by his gaze and tone, and for a moment forgot to retort.
The turning point came during first-half stoppage time.
Manchester United won a throw-in on the right side of the attacking third.Gary Neville quickly threw the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo, who was coming to receive it.
Cristiano Ronaldo received the ball with his back to goal, and the opposing defender immediately closed in.Instead of forcing a turn, he gently pulled the ball back with the sole of his foot while deftly rotating his body clockwise, like an elegant dancer, instantly shaking off the defender!
"Marseille turn!" A gasp rang out from the stands!
This skill, which he would later master, was nothing short of astonishing in the 2003 Premier League!
After breaking free, he found himself in a wide-open space.Without hesitation, he pushed the ball forward and accelerated with all his might!His stride was incredibly fast, his explosive power astonishing, like a red lightning bolt, instantly tearing apart Newcastle's flank defense!
A center-back was forced to cover.Ronaldo glanced at the penalty area; Van Nistelrooy and Scholes were both making runs.
But he did not choose to pass the ball.
A strong, soul-deep confidence drove him.He made a feint to cut inside, causing the opposing center-back to lose his balance, and then flicked the ball back to the outside.With just this subtle change in rhythm, he had already gained space to shoot!
The distance to the goal was about 25 meters, and the angle wasn't very good.
But for him, that was enough.
He swung his left leg, tilted his body slightly, and struck the ball solidly in the lower middle part with the instep!
There was no spin, no arc, only a straight white light containing destructive power, like a cannonball, blasting towards the goal at a speed that was difficult for the naked eye to perceive!
The Newcastle goalkeeper barely had time to make a symbolic diving save.
"Bang!"
The ball slammed against the underside of the crossbar and then bounced wildly into the net!The entire goal was trembling!
A world-class goal!An absolute world-class goal!
After a moment of silence, Old Trafford erupted with the loudest roar since the start of the match!All the red-clad fans jumped up from their seats, wildly waving their fists!
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!Cristiano Ronaldo!" The commentator's voice was hoarse with excitement."Incredible!Unbelievable!What did he do?A magnificent dribble, a powerful shot!He conquered Old Trafford!He conquered the Premier League!"
After scoring, Cristiano Ronaldo did not remain silent this time.
He rushed towards the corner flag, facing the fans in the stands who were going crazy for him and roaring for him, and made a celebration move that would become his signature gesture for the next decade or so—
He leaped into the air, executed a magnificent mid-air spin, and swung his arms back with a thunderous roar:
"Siuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu-!"
This roar, as if it were the culmination of long-accumulated power, carrying the repression, struggle, and ultimate ecstasy of two lifetimes, resounded throughout the entire Dream Theater!
This momentHe is not a prince, he is the rightful king of this red territory!
All his teammates rushed over, surrounding him and patting his head and back vigorously, sharing in his extreme passion and joy.Van Nistelrooy laughed and hugged him, Keane ruffled his hair, and even the usually composed Scholes broke into a bright smile.
On the sidelines, Sir Alex Ferguson and his assistant coach exchanged a smile, a smile that conveyed immense pride and certainty.
This child not only possesses the skills to conquer a game, but also the aura of a king to ignite a stadium.
This goal, this celebration, is a landmark.
This marked Cristiano Ronaldo officially claiming Old Trafford as his own territory.His era was sweeping in with unstoppable force.