His stunning goal in his Premier League debut was like a nuclear bomb dropped into the pond of English football, and the shockwaves quickly spread to every corner.
Overnight, the name "Cristiano Ronaldo" was no longer just that of a "Portuguese wonderkid" with an exorbitant price tag; it became a phenomenon.The sports sections of major newspapers were dominated by photos of his goal from an impossible angle.
The Times headline read: "A genius arrives!Manchester United's new number 7 makes a dream debut."
The Daily Mail went even further: "The new God of Old Trafford?Ferguson's gamble pays off spectacularly!"
Even the notoriously critical Manchester Evening News wrote: "Perhaps we are truly witnessing the beginning of a legend."
Praise poured in like a tidal wave, Mendes' phone was ringing off the hook, and requests for commercial endorsements and interviews poured in.But Ronaldo, at the center of this storm, remained unusually calm.
He declined almost all non-essential commercial activities, only accepting a brief interview arranged by the club.His reason was simple: "Coach, I need more time to train and adapt; those things will distract me."
Ferguson was very pleased with this.He had seen too many geniuses ruined by their reputations, and this young man's clarity and self-discipline made him feel as if he were seeing another Roy Keane, only presented in a different way.
However, fame doesn't only bring benefits.
In the locker room, subtle changes were quietly taking place.After the initial shock and approval, some underlying currents began to stir.The main pressure came from the team's starting center, Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Dutchman is a top-class penalty area striker, but he's also known for his intense goal-scoring desire and somewhat demanding personality.Before Cristiano Ronaldo's emergence, he was the team's finishing point, with most passing and tactics revolving around him.But Ronaldo's arrival, especially his powerful style of play with cuts and shots from the wings, inevitably diverted the scoring opportunities and offensive dominance.
During a team training session, Ronaldo had an opportunity on the right wing.He could have passed to Van Nistelrooy, who was in a better position, but he saw a more direct shooting route and took a shot, which went slightly wide.
"Hey!I'm here!Can't you see me?" Van Nistelrooy spread his hands and yelled at Ronaldo with dissatisfaction, his tone icy.
The atmosphere on the training ground momentarily froze.Everyone looked at Ronaldo, wanting to see how this rising star would react.
In the past, the proud and arrogant Ronaldo might have immediately retorted.But this time, he simply took a deep breath and calmly looked at Van Nistelrooy: "I saw it, Ruud.But I'm confident about that angle, I'll pay attention next time."
He remained composed, neither admitting fault nor escalating the conflict.This response left Fanny feeling like he'd punched a pillow; he snorted coldly and turned to walk away.
"A smart move," Ryan Giggs whispered to Paul Scholes."He's frighteningly mature."
Scholes nodded, his eyes filled with admiration: "He knows when to be firm and when to be soft."
Cristiano Ronaldo certainly knew this.He understood Van Nistelrooy's dissatisfaction; it was a striker's instinct.But he also knew that to become a true focal point, he couldn't just be a "passer"; he had to bravely take on the responsibility of scoring when needed.Finding this balance required both wisdom and skill.
The real test is yet to come in the next few matches.
Opponents no longer treated him as a negligible rookie.They began to study him closely, assigning their most aggressive and dirty players to "specially target" him.Continuous ankle kicks, shirt-pulling, verbal provocations.the defensive philosophy in English football is brutal and direct.
In the ensuing match against Middlesbrough, Ronaldo struggled.The opposing defenders were like glue, sticking to him relentlessly, with every touch of the ball accompanied by intense physical challenges and fouls.His dribbling attempts were repeatedly thwarted, and his shots lost their accuracy.At halftime, his sock was even torn by his cleats, leaving a noticeable bloodstain on his calf.
"How are you?Can you still hold on?" Ferguson asked with concern in the locker room.
"No problem, boss." Cristiano Ronaldo gritted his teeth, applying an ice pack to his bruised calf, his eyes showing no sign of backing down."The more they act like this, the more it shows they're afraid of me."
In the second half, he changed his strategy.Since it was difficult to break through head-on, he began to make more off-the-ball runs, using his speed and changes of direction to repeatedly attack the gaps in the opponent's defense and create space.
In the 70th minute, the opportunity finally arrived.
Scholes delivered a penetrating through ball from the center, not to Ronaldo, but to the advancing Van Nistelrooy.Van Nistelrooy received the ball with his back to goal at the edge of the penalty area, drawing the attention of two opposing center-backs.
At that very moment, Ronaldo, like a ghost, cut inside from the right wing and sped into the space behind Van Nistelrooy!
Although Van Nistelrooy harbored some resentment towards Ronaldo, he was, after all, a top professional player.In a flash, he heard Ronaldo's call and caught a glimpse of the red figure out of the corner of his eye.Instead of seeking personal glory, he cleverly flicked the ball backward with his heel!
The ball rolled perfectly into Ronaldo's path!
No adjustments needed!Cristiano Ronaldo unleashes a powerful shot!
This time, the ball didn't have a tricky curve, only pure power and speed, like a white lightning bolt, blasting open Middlesbrough's goal!
"Goal again!Cristiano Ronaldo!" the commentator shouted wildly."A perfect team play!Van Nistelrooy's selfless assist!Ronaldo's deadly strike!Manchester United's attacking duo shines brightly for the first time!"
After scoring, Ronaldo didn't celebrate alone; he immediately ran to Van Nistelrooy.He pointed to the Dutchman who had provided the assist, a genuine smile on his face.
Van Nistelrooy watched the boy running towards him, and the frost on his face finally melted away.He smiled, a rare occurrence, and hugged Ronaldo tightly.
This goal, this hug, seemed to melt away the last bit of ice that separated them in the locker room.
He proved with his actions that he can not only score points himself, but also create chemistry with top teammates.He wasn't there to steal power; he was there to win together.
Sir Alex Ferguson, watching the two embrace from the sidelines, wore a gratified and profound smile.He seemed to see a colossal ship carrying the new hopes of the Red Empire sounding its horn and sailing towards a magnificent future.
And Cristiano Ronaldo, standing amidst the deafening cheers at Old Trafford, knew that he had just won a battle more important than scoring a goal.