Ruud and Ronaldo Meet Again

The match between the Netherlands and Portugal, one of the first shockers of the World Cup Last 16 round, means more than just the chance to qualify for the quarters for some players of both teams. And I'm talking about Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud Van Nistelrooy. For them, this will be the first time they have the chance to play in the same match after they had that big argument in Manchester United practice.

According to British tabloids, approximately two months ago, the two footballers got into a big argument right in front of Sir Alex Ferguson. Being pissed off because Ronaldo was hanging too much to the ball, the Dutch insulted him. After Cristiano's response, Ruud ended it with: "Go say hi to your father for me". And it would have been nothing wrong with that, except that the Portuguese's father passed away a few years ago.

It was the final drop for Ferguson's patience. After that session of practice, Ruud was not even part of the squad at Manchester. More, the Dutch striker decided to pack his things and leave, missing Roy Keane's "good bye" match at Old Trafford. Oh well, if they couldn't have played together, they will now face each other in the match that will decide the 4th team to qualify for the World Cup quarters.

When questioned, by the reporters, about the above named episode, Ruud totally disagreed, saying that: "I think the lads at United knew that, he knows and I know so I'll say the same as he did. Nothing happened and we get on really well. I have no problem with Ronaldo, that's definitely the situation".

On the other hand, Cristiano Ronaldo wanted to make it very clear that nothing happened between the two: "It was nothing much at all," he said. "Quarrels happen in all teams, in all professions. It's perfectly normal to have these small disagreements and that's what happened, something perfectly normal. It's a storm in a tea-cup. Yet people are turning it into something it isn't. All I can do is repeat what I have already said and that is that what happened wasn't anything special. Ruud is actually someone I get on particularly well with".

The match between the Netherlands and Portugal will get under way on Sunday night, starting 21.00 CET.