Cristiano Ronaldo's new Real Madrid shirt sold out at the club store on Tuesday. A total of three thousand strips gone in one day. Hundreds were also reported stolen.

"Ronaldomania" is at fever pitch in the Spanish capital and is showing no signs of relenting as his first training session approaches on Friday. Fans of all ages have been captivated by the arrival of the most galactico of all galacticos.

Move over The Beatles, here's Ronaldo.

The screams and shrieks heard at CR9's (the nickname that stands for Cristiano Ronaldo number nine) unveiling on Tuesday surely rivaled the rapturous response The Beatles experienced while at their peak in the 1960s. I am too young to have been at any of their concerts, but I gather the hysteria was simply overwhelming.

At the Bernabeu, hysteria was in the building. I even saw fans running onto the pitch and dodging past security, trying to touch Cristiano as he walked by. For a rock star maybe, but for a footballer?

What really impressed me on Tuesday was Cristiano's composure in the face of the chaos which surrounded him. He never stopped smiling or waving, even as supporters crowded and pushed around him in search of an autograph or a handshake.

He took it all in, and then was also calm enough in the press conference to answer multiple questions in Portuguese, Spanish and English, about his footballing skills and personal life.

- Shouldn't you get a girlfriend?
- How will you resist temptation?
- What about the paparazzi?

Not questions you hear every day at a normal football presser, but then again, this is not a normal footballer. Instead of showing impatience of frustration, Ronaldo smiled and answered calmly.

He said there is time for everything in life and he plans on having fun as long as it doesn't interfere with his job. He added he likes to stay at home and will try to stay away from the limelight as much as possible.

Sadly for him, that won't be possible. Every move will be watched, every word studied. The best he can do is concentrate on the job at hand, and that is helping Real Madrid on the field to become a force to be reckoned with. That is why the club spent a world record transfer fee to bring him to the Bernabeu.

Then again, if they sell a few more thousand shirts and tickets, they won't complain. The club has to strike while the iron is hot. And it could not be any hotter at the moment.

So another fantastic season of football in Europe comes to a close, and now the excitement is over there is time for reflection and analysis before things kick off again in a few month's time. Who stood out among the myriad of stars fighting for silverware across the continent – well here are my thoughts:

The all-action Gerrard had a vintage season for Liverpool.

English Premier League

Player of the year – Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)
The Serbian international matured into one of the best defenders in the world during Manchester United's title-winning campaign. The 27-year-old provided the muscle in a back line which proved watertight for much of the season. Vidic led United to a streak of 14 consecutive clean sheets. He also scored four goals, some of them crucial to his team's success in the league.

Honorable mention – Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
The league's third top scorer with 16 goals and nearly single-handedly kept Liverpool in the title race until the final weeks of the season. Playing further up the field, he provided scoring opportunities to Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt who both scored over 10 goals in the campaign. England's best all-round player had probably his best season to date.

Spanish Primera Division

Player of the year – Leo Messi (Barcelona)
You could easily run out of superlatives trying to describe Messi's performances in La Liga this season. The tiny Argentine was simply breathtaking, mesmerizing opponents' defences with his magical dribbling skills, and scoring goals of all shapes and sizes. His finishing was the skill which he improved the most in the last campaign as he tallied an impressive 23 league goals.

Honorable mention – Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid)
The European Golden Boot winner was a constant threat to goalkeepers all across Spain this season and finished with 32 goals in 33 appearances for Atletico Madrid. One of the hardest working strikers around, the 30 year-old Uruguayan international made the most of the goalscoring opportunities presented to him by Kun Aguero and Maxi Rodriguez.

Italian Serie A

Player of the year – Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan)
The heart and soul of an Internazionale side that dominated the Serie A. Esteban Cambiasso was ever present in the Nerazzuri midfield this season and was the first name on the team sheet for manager Jose Mourinho as his tough tackling and intelligent ball distribution made him indispensable. The 28-year-old Argentine international also pitched in with four goals during a stellar campaign.

Honorable mention – Diego Milito (Genoa)
To score 24 goals in the Serie A is tough, but to do it for a non-championship contender is even tougher, but that's what Il Principe accomplished this season. Despite being overtaken at the top of the goalscoring chart by Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the last day of the campaign Milito still earned praise from all corners of Italy for his spirited performances and deadly finishes. Impressed 'The Special One' who bought him for Inter next season.

Bundesliga

Player of the year – Grafite (Wolfsburg)
Wolfsburg won their first ever league title thanks in large part to the goalscoring exploits of this Brazilian striker. An incredible 28 goals in 25 games from a late bloomer who had never scored more than 20 goals in a season in the top flight of any league before. He will be remembered this year for a fantastic solo goal against Bayern Munich in a 5-1 demolition of the Bavarian giants.

Honorable mention – Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)
The silver lining in a dark cloud for Bayern this season. The Frenchman was just unstoppable and assisted more goals than any other player this season. His own tally wasn't bad either as the 26-year-old winger finished with nine goals. If it weren't for Ribery, Bayern could have easily finished outside the top four.

French First Division

Player of the year – Yoan Gourcuff (Bordeaux)
Proved he is a world-class player with a series of fantastic performances in France as he led Bordeaux to their first title since 1999. He was the maestro of a side who won the last 11 games of the season to clinch the league trophy on the last day of the campaign. Gourcuff, who was on loan from AC Milan, scored a career-best 12 goals and is one of the brightest young stars in European football at 22 years of age.

Honorable mention – Bakary Kone (Olympique Marseille)
One of the fastest players on the planet, the Senegal international gave Olympique Marseille a new dimension following his signing from Nice. The 27-year-old winger terrorized defenders all season long, setting up heaps of goals and getting on the score sheet nine times himself.

Coaches

Coach of the Year
Pep Guardiola – A perfect season for the rookie coach who in his first season in professional management won an unprecedented treble – The Spanish League, Spanish Cup and Champions League. As impressive as the trophy haul was the way they achieved it, playing free flowing attacking football during most of the season. They finished their league campaign with a +70 goal average and were also the top scorers in the Champions League.

Most disappointing coach of the Year

Jurgen Klinsmann – He had to be relieved of his duties in the final sprint for the Bundesliga title race. Worse than their performances in Germany was their capitulation against Barcelona at the Camp Nou. It is inadmissible to concede four goals in a half, even against the almighty European Champions. The fact he failed to motivate a star-studded dressing room means it will be a while before he gets another chance at a top club in Europe.

ROME, Italy — CNN — It was billed as a battle between the world’s top two clubs. One lived up to expectations, another did not.

Pedro Pinto rated Xavi as Barcelona's best player in the Champions League final.

Barcelona taught Manchester United a lesson at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday and were deservedly crowned Kings of Europe. It was an historic victory for the Catalans who became the first Spanish club to win the league, cup and Champions League.

The atmosphere at the Olimpico was electric with both sets of fans singing and cheering throughout the match. It was United who were quickest off the blocks as Cristiano Ronaldo had three shots on target in the opening 10 minutes of play. However, Barcelona were not shaken and they scored with their first opportunity. Great runs from Andres Iniesta and Samuel Eto’o easily beat Patrice Evra and then Edwin Van der Sar to spark wild celebrations at the Barcelona end of the stands.

The goal inspired the Spanish Giants and they started to assert themselves, passing and moving at ease. The first “Oles” were heard after a move that involved  practically every Barcelona player touching the ball.

• See our photo gallery of all the action from the final

Ronaldo seemed to be the only one capable of swimming against the current. Every time the FIFA World Player of the Year had possession, you had the feeling something could happen. United’s midfield was clearly struggling to create goal-scoring opportunities though, and that led Sir Alex Ferguson to withdraw the disappointing Anderson and introduce the energetic Carlos Tevez.

United showed intent, but it was still Barcelona who was oozing skill and class. Thierry Henry could and should have scored and second and Xavi hit the post. Ferguson then put on Dimitar Berbatov in a desperate attempt to get an equalizing goal, but the move backfired as their opponents struck a deadly blow. Midfield maestro Xavi with the cross, and Leo Messi, one of the shortest players on the pitch, rose majestically to head the ball past Van Der Sar.

This time, there was no miraculous comeback like there had been at the Camp Nou in 1999. Barcelona held on to become worthy winners. They had the best attack in the competition, scoring 32 goals in 13 matches and they played the best football. Yes, there was an exception – the second leg of the semi-final against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. But fortune favours the brave and they rode their luck to make the title match.

Last but not least, what can we say about Pep Guardiola? In his first ever season as a professional manager, he wins the treble! He also became only the sixth man to win the European Cup as a player and as a manager. What can he do for an encore?

Move over Jose Mourinho, there is a new special one in town.

Hot and Cold

United’s best – Van der Sar. Made six saves and kept the match close thanks to his quick reactions and safe pair of hands.

United’s worst – Anderson. Looked lost in midfield and was chasing shadows in the first half. Ferguson withdrew him at the break.

Barcelona’s best – Xavi. The ease with which the midfield maestro sets the tempo and pulls the string in midfield is phenomenal. Assisted Messi for his goal and hit the post from a free kick.

Barcelona’s worst – Sylvinho. The veteran never really got in the game and never posed a threat on the wing. Was average on a night everyone around him was a step above.

The end of the football season is just around the corner and that means the transfer rumor mill will soon start to turn at a frenetic pace. Front and center of most of the market talk will be one of the most protracted on/off transfer-sagas going, namely Cristiano Ronaldo. Will he go to Real Madrid? Will he stay with Manchester United? Well, let me give my opinion on the matter.

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo soon to be Real bound?

I really don't see Cristiano staying another season at Old Trafford. Manchester United is a fantastic club and the Premier League is probably the best in the world right now, but I feel that my compatriot needs a new challenge. He has won everything there is to win with the Red Devils, especially if this season ends with the retention of the European Cup and league title; he has also grown tired of criticism from English fans and the media, and he would also like to move closer to home.

I remember watching Ronaldo's first ever game for United. It was back in 2003, and he came on as a substitute at Old Trafford in the second half of a league game against Bolton. United were leading 1-0 but struggling to impose their superiority on a stubborn defense. And then, with 29 minutes to go, a skinny 18 year-old Ronaldo came on and with a display of verve, pace and audacity changed the game. The Red Devils went on to win the match easily 4-0.

A lot has changed since then and the last five seasons have featured many goals, titles and awards for the Portuguese winger. by the age of 24 he had won every team and individual accolade as well as establishing himself as the world's premier player. Last year was especially prolific with Manchester United winning the Champions League, Premier League and World Club Cup. Ronaldo then picked up the Golden Boot, Balon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award to add the icing to an already substantial cake. He's done it all.

Ronaldo has fans all over the world, but there are many skeptics in England who still haven't forgotten his role in Wayne Rooney's sending off at the 2006 World Cup match. There is also a percentage of supporters who criticize the Portuguese international for his demeanor on the field, claiming he is arrogant and often dives in order to gain free-kicks and penalties. I know for a fact that Ronaldo doesn't let his detractors affect his performances on the field, but I also know that he has grown tired of people not appreciating what he has done for the Premier League and English football as a whole. There are only so many times that you can ignore criticism... it gets tiring after a while, and Ronaldo is only human.

Proximity to Portugal is another reason why Ronaldo would be tempted by a move to Spain. He has promised his family that he would eventually live closer to them, and the time may have come to fulfill this vow. Culturally, Madrid would be a better fit for the winger than the often cold and rainy Manchester. He has a great house and a great life and he loves the club, but the weather is nothing short of miserable and he misses some Latin flair in his everyday life.

So if you ask me if he's leaving, I say yes. My only concern if he becomes a Galactico would be about his ability to deal with all the glitz and glamor that comes as part of the package. At Manchester United he has operated under the paternal protection of Alex Ferguson. In Madrid, the stern Scot won't be around to tame him and those around him.

Barcelona's 6-2 rout of their great rivals Real Madrid in front of their own fans at the Santiago Bernabeu was the crowning act in a season of fantastic attacking football; the perfect riposte to last campaign's capitulation of the title by playing, and more importantly winning, the game in a beautiful way.

Xavi of Barcelona celebrates after Gerard Pique scored Barcelona's sixth goal against Real Madrid.

Key to the outcome of the match were superb performances from the Spanish duo Andres Iniesta and Xavi who confounded and dominated their centre-of-the-park couterparts of Lassana Diarra and Fernando Gago. The supply to the potent attacking triumvarate of Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o meant that Real's deficit could have been even heavier. They were lucky.

Messi particularly was given far too much room to operate and it was no surprise that his killer instinct led to him contributing with a brace.  It was a mistake for Ramos to play the sluggish Gabriel Heinze, who struggled with the pace of the Argentine.

The remarkable thing about the Catalan side this season is not just the games they have won this season but the manner in which the victories have been secured.  One hundred goals have been scored in 34 games, a phenomenal return in such a competitive league.  It is also a mark of their goal threat that against Real, despite the league's top goalscorer Samuel Eto'o being quiet, six goals were still scored.

Pep Guardiola too has stepped up to the plate, from his previous role as reserve team manager, fantastically well in his debut season.  The transformation has been unbelievable and the players really seem to respect their former teammate. The goal-fest and awesome form in La Liga all points to a mouth-watering tie against Chelsea in the second-leg of the European Champions League semifinal on Wednesday.

Don't be surprised, however, if Barcelona ease their foot from the pedal against the English Premier League side.  Guus Hiddink's Blues are physically more robust and defensively stronger than Real Madrid and Barca will leave themselves vulnerable to the counter if they attack with such vigour.

MANCHESTER, England – I had tried, and failed, for two long years to get an interview with Sir Alex Ferguson and when it finally happened this week, I can honestly say it was worth the wait.

Alex Ferguson is very particular about who he speaks with since he doesn't trust many people in the media.

It was actually thanks to my good relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo that I got through to Sir Alex. My compatriot put in a good word for me with the manager and the press office, and that allowed us to finally get a chance to sit down with Fergie.

CNN always tries to get the top names in every sport, and we have been fortunate to secure interviews with most of the high profile figures in the sporting world - but Ferguson had always eluded us.

He is very particular about who he speaks with since he doesn't trust a lot of people in the media. Here in England, the tabloid press is tough to deal with because they are preoccupied with selling the story rather than telling it, and Sir Alex told me that it is a concern he has.

Fortunately, after dealing with Cristiano and Diana Law in the press office a few times, I was able to build some trust with the club and that's why this interview took place.

I have to say that I was surprised with how personable and affable Sir Alex was during the interview.

You hear all these stories about how he is tough and cold and many people make him out to be a tyrant. However, he was charming during the interview and talked freely about a variety of subjects.

You can tell he has a strong personality and doesn't put up with any insolence, but any great leader needs to have that quality. Furthermore, in today's world of millionaire footballers, he knows he needs to maintain his distance and hold everyone's respect.

Overall, I was very pleased with the interview and the 20 minutes we had with Ferguson flew by. He's got so many great stories to tell that you never lose interest in what he's saying.

At 67, he may be a veteran, but he has certainly adapted to the times and clearly is modern and contemporary enough to hold the interest and attention of his players.

Ferguson told me he feels he's got another two or three years at Old Trafford before retiring, and his top priority is winning another European Cup. That would be his third, and judging by the last two victories, we should expect it to be a dramatic one.