Van Nistelrooy starts making it tough for Ronaldo

MADRID, Aug 24 (Reuters) Real Madrid's new signing Ruud van Nistelrooy earned the plaudits of the Spanish sports press today after scoring twice in a pre-season friendly against Anderlecht.

The Dutch international, who joined Real for 15 million euros from Manchester United last month scored two first-half goals to give his side a 2-1 win over the Belgians yesterday.

The striker's performance led some papers to conclude that the club would now find it easier to sell Ronaldo to AC Milan, whose representatives were in Madrid in an attempt to secure the services of the three-times World Player of the Year.

''It's going to be difficult for Ronaldo,'' said sports daily Marca.

''Madrid have got a pure centre-forward once more, a specialist in scoring goals,'' said Marca's rival AS. ''His two goals will do a lot to undermine the future of Ronaldo at the club and no one is worried about it.'' Van Nistelrooy said he was delighted with his first performance at the Bernabeu and heaped praise on strike partner Antonio Cassano who looked sharper and fitter than at any time since he joined the club at the start of the year.

''I'm really happy with the two goals, especially as they came at the Bernabeu,'' he told reporters.

''Cassano is a very good player and he knows where I am all the time and gave me a great assist on my first goal.'' Real open their league campaign at home to Villarreal on Sunday.

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