Ronaldo Can Have Any Woman He Likes

Jilted businessman says that his wife hunted down Cristiano Ronaldo and not the other way around:

"He has not stolen Ally -- she's to blame...Ronaldo can have any woman he likes. Why would he set his sights on a married Ukrainian girl? He'll walk away. His mother won't let him stick with her."

> Info Source

Video - Sir Bobby Charlton, Dennis Law and Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo shows off the Ballon d'Or at Old Trafford.

Beautiful sight, seeing those three together:

Video - Ronaldo receives Ballon d'Or

Ronaldo paid 150,000 pounds for CR7 number plate

"Cristiano Ronaldo can afford to treat himself to a few luxuries. The 23-year-old Premier League star has just gathered together a bit of loose change and bought the car registration number plate CR7 for a bargain £150,000. It's to go on his silver Bentley convertible - or perhaps he'll decide to swop it to the £340,000 black Phantom Rolls Royce that he currently has on order."

'Cristiano is developing an obsession with CR7,' a source tells The Sun. 'He has been after the number plate for ages and finally got his hands on it.'

> Info Source

Ronaldo has new girlfriend

She is twenty-five year old Alyona Hayes:

‘It's early days but Ronaldo seems very keen on her and has wined her and dined her at some very expensive restaurants...Ronaldo texts her mobile day and night. She's very sexy and intelligent and finds him charming and funny.’

> Info Source

Ronaldo Never Said he was The Best Player in the World

"I never said that I was the best player in the world...I always said that I was well-placed to win the Ballon d'Or. I have always had a lot of respect for the other players...It is not necessary to say who is the best best player in the world, but who has an advantage, and I was carried along by this hope...All the players nominated had the possibility of winning this prize. Me, I have had this possibility and this privilege, but all the nominees had the qualities to win the award.''

> Info Source

Ronaldo finally gets his hands on beautiful Ballon d'Or

“I'm very moved, very happy and I'd like to take this opportunity to dedicate this trophy to my family, they've helped me get here...The trophy is splendid, marvellous, very beautiful. I've waited for this.”

> Info Source

Ronaldo misses the beach

"I know Manchester from side to side, whereas I spend most of my time at home...It is pretty much different from Portugal. I am missing the beach, the sun and the sea...I am used to living here, which does not mean I like it."

> Info Source

Cocky Ronaldo says he would wink at Rooney again

It's surprising that he would want to discuss this topic again but the Best Player in the World, Cristiano Ronaldo, says that he would wink at Wayne Rooney again if it meant gaining an advantage for his country:

"If I had to do it again, I would do it again. I was defending my colours, my country. What I did was normal...When I came back to England after the World Cup there were a lot of people who booed me. That strengthened me. It was like a test of my character: I learned a lot from that story."

> Info Source

Sir Alex Ferguson defends Ronaldo's walkout

"Cristiano had a kick on the hip. Wayne Rooney had something similar last season and it can be very painful. We'll see how he is on Monday morning, but we have Aalborg on Wednesday and Spurs at the weekend, so we will freshen it up...There was no need for him to come to the bench, though. The best thing is to get treatment straightaway. It was the sensible thing to do."

> Info Source

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Ronaldo deserved Ballon d'Or

"It is brilliant for Ronaldo to win the Ballon D'Or...I will be going to see him receive his award on Sunday and it is well deserved...The percentage of votes he got made it an almost unanimous decision...It is good to know he wants to improve. I think he will improve."

> Info Source

Wenger almost signed the Best Player in the World for Arsenal

"I'm disappointed that I seduced only Ronaldo's mum...I had Ronaldo at the training ground, I showed him around and I gave him a shirt. It has got his name on the back...At the end of the day I wanted him to be here, but most important is he makes a career. He went to Man United and made a career, he would have done that here."

> Info Source

Nike want Best Player in the World to go to Inter

Goal.com reports that:

"...Nike are trying to push Ronaldo to sign for Inter and a mega sponsorship deal for both club and player is on the cards.The sports company want to pair Zlatan Ibrahimovic with the Portugal international in an attempt to create a dream pairing at the club as both players are sponsored by them.Nike are looking at the potential benefits in terms of a marketing strategy as they sponsor the Nerazzurri and it would be a major coup if the company had two Nike-sponsored players playing for a team who also carry the famous swoosh logo.The Italian club's main sponsors, Pirelli, have pumped more money in to help with their plans for Ronnie and, if Nike begin to push, the United star could soon be wearing the black and blue jersey."

Ribery agrees with Ronaldo selection but...

Bayern Munich's Franck Riberry thinks he should have ranked higher in the Ballon d'Or voting:

“Frankly, I am disappointed by my ranking. I should have deserved better...Last year, I finished seventh having played six months for Marseille and six months at Bayern, without having won any titles...Here, I am 16th in the list at the end of a massive season with Bayern. We were champions of Germany, won the national cup and reached the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup...I also picked up a number of individual awards, for example the best player in the Bundesliga."

But Ribery still backs Ronaldo's selection:

“I would have voted for him.”

> Info Source

Mourinho doesn't think Ronaldo is The Best Player in the World

"I have no praise for Ronaldo... I would have preferred one of my own foreign players to have won the Ballon d'Or."

> Info Source

Ball Boy threw ball at Ronaldo

A Man City ball boy has been accused of throwing the ball "at" rather than "to" Cristiano Ronaldo in last weekend's Manchester derby.

> Info Source

Ronaldo will never be one of the greatest players ever

He was clearly The Best Player in the World for 2008 but Sports Illustrated's Gabrielle Marcotti thinks it's unlikely that Cristiano Ronaldo will become one of the greatest players of all time:

"But there's something else that's missing, something intangible. Ronaldo has the look, the physique and the skill to be the greatest. Yet, somehow, it doesn't all add up. To be the greatest, people have to like you, at least to some degree. The "other" Ronaldo had a toothy grin that could melt icebergs. Ronaldinho has a permanent smile on his face. Even Zidane, in his own tough-guy way, oozed charisma from every pore."

> Info Source

Puyol thinks Messi is The Best Player in the World

Barcelona teammate Carlos Puyol thinks that Lionel Messi is The Best Player in the World:

“I congratulate Ronaldo for winning, but for me, Messi is the best player in the world... I enjoy watching him every day, just like how all the fans enjoy watching him play."

> Info Source

Cannavaro voted for Ronaldo

Real Madrid and Italy star Fabio Cannavaro says that he voted for Cristiano Ronaldo, even though he didn't have a good Euro 2008 tournament:

"He fully deserves the Ballon d'Or but he was off the boil at the Euros... However, that didn't matter too much because of what he did before. A Premier League, a Champions League and 42 goals, he didn't have to do anything else... I voted for Cristiano Ronaldo, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic and Iker Casillas. The best player of the year and the other two are good friends of mine."

> Info Source

Ancelotti says Ronaldo deserved Ballon d'Or

Mlian manager Carlo Ancelotti says that Cristiano Ronaldo deserved to win the Ballon d'Or trophy voted on by the world's journalists:

"Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best and most spectacular players in the world...The Ballon d'Or depends on the trophies you win while the Champions League also plays an important role... Kaka has already won it while Ibrahimovic is destined to win it in the future."

> Info Source

Journalists Agree - Cristiano Ronaldo is... The Best Player in the World

We have been tracking the talk in the media all year and now what has been spoken has come true:

The journalists of the world have come out and said that Cristiano Ronaldo is the winner of the Ballon d'Or and deserves to be called The Best Player in the World.

Of course, the FIFA World Player of the Year award is still to come but based on our research we cannot see how the managers and captains of the world will not vote for Ronaldo.

Congratulations to Cristiano. Two awards down (Fifpro, Ballon d'Or) and one to go.

Here are the results of the Ballon d'Or voting:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd), 446 points 2. Lionel Messi (Barcelona), 281 pts 3. Fernando Torres (Liverpool), 179 pts 4. Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), 133 pts 5. Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), 97 pts 6. Andrei Arshavin (Zenit St Petersburg), 64 pts 7. David Villa (Valencia), 55 pts 8. Kaka (Milan), 31 pts 9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Internazionale), 30 pts 10 Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), 28 pts

Robson thinks Messi will be best player in the world in 2009

Ex-Barca manager Bobby Robson has told The Sun that Man City need to sign Lionel Messi:

“He is the best young player in the world and there aren’t many clubs that can afford to make a signing such as this...It’s an opportunity that cannot be missed and if City want to be the best team in the world, then they need the best player in the world.”

> Info Source

> The Best Player in the World 2009 (site)

Frey says Messi is the Best Player in the World

Despite all the hype about Ronaldo winning the Ballon d'Or tomorrow, Fiorentia keeper Sebastien Frey believes that Barcelona's Lionel Messi is The Best Player in the World:

"Messi is sensational and he belongs in another category. When I played against Barcelona he impressed me so much. Seeing him play is a pleasure."

> Info Source

Clarification - Ballon d'Or is now a global award

For those - especially those in the media who should know - the Ballon d'Or is awarded to The Best Player in the World as voted by the Media.

Here's what Wikipedia says:

"Prior to 2007, the player had to be a member of a club based within UEFA's jurisdiction in order to qualify for selection; and until 1995 a player also had to be of European nationality to be eligible. The 2007 change in rules saw players from Qatar, the United States, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina named on the shortlist alongside those from European clubs.[1][2]
Since October 2007, 96 football journalists from around the world have decided the winner from a shortlist of 50 compiled by France Football; prior to this 52 European journalists chose a winner, who needed to play for a European club.[3] Each voter chooses five players from the list of nominees, and awards them between one and five points. The winner is determined by the total number of points; players who finish second and third in the voting are awarded silver and bronze medals.[2]"

> France Football Ballon d'Or site

Laporta says Messi is The Best Player in the World

All the talk around footballing circles in recent times has been about the identity of the world's best player, and Joan Laporta has wasted no time in nailing his colours firmly to Lionel Messi's mast. Speaking after the match, Laporta said, "He is the best in the world. He is the most decisive player."

> Info Source

Ibrahimovic votes for Ronaldo and Casillas

“I think Ronaldo will win the Ballon d'Or because he did really well last season, but then if you think about the Euros then [Iker] Casillas deserves to win it.”

> Info Source

Messi and Robinho admit Ronaldo is The Best Player in the World

With news out that Ronaldo will be awarded the Ballon d'Or this Tuesday, two contenders for next year's title, Lionel Messi and Robinho, believe that Ronaldo deserves to be named The Best Player in the World for 2008.

Said Messi:

“He won the Champions League, the Premier League as well, so I think he will be awarded the prize..."

Said Robinho:

“Cristiano is one of the best players in the world. I’m sure he will win the FIFA award this year. He deserves it.”

> Info Source

Ronaldo wins Golden Shoe

Not only is Ronaldo the best player in the world but he is also the top scorer in Europe according to European Sports Magazines rankings.

That feat earned him the Golden Shoe award.

Can Robinho be The Best Player in the World?

Manchester City's Robinho believes that he can become The Best Player in the World:

"My objective is to be the best in the world, without a doubt...I hope that in the next few years I can compete in the trophy for the best player in the world."

> Info Source

Best Player in the World a leg-breaker?

24-year old Brazil and Fluminense centreback Thiago Silva believes that Cristiano Ronaldo tried to break his leg in the Brazil-Portugal friendly last week:

"He [Cristiano Ronaldo] has the cheek to say I jumped over his tackle. But if I did not jump he would have broken my leg...Being considered the best player in the world, he must have more respect. It is difficult to accept what he did...He is a little [naughty], yes. But that is football. And we need to know to deal with it. He was nervous because he couldn't create anything."

> Info Source

Pele expects to present Ronaldo with FIFA award

Speaking ahead of Portugal's friendly with Brazil, Cristiano Ronaldo joked:

"I am the first, second and third best player in the world...But there are other good candidates, like Kaka, [Lionel] Messi and [Fernando] Torres."

Brazil legend Pele was not so over-the-top but did admit that he expected that he would be presenting the Portugese star with the FIFA World Player of the Year Award in December.

> Info Source

Higginbotham doubts Ronaldo has a weakness

After a resounding 5-Nil defeat to United, Stoke's left-back Danny Higginbotham said of Ronaldo: "The lad was absolutely brilliant - you just have to say what a great player he is. He's the best in the world, there's no doubt about it. I don't believe he has a weakness."

> Info Source

Messi likes Xavi and Aguero for Ballon d'Or

"Messi has claimed that either Xavi Hernandez or Sergio Agüero should take the honour, while Ronaldo has plumped for himself as the most deserving nominee."

> Info Source

Henry says Messi is from another world

Barca teammate Thierry Henry thinks that Lionel Messi is The Best Player in the World:

"Messi is the best. What he does is from another world...He is exceptional...After watching Arsenal against Manchester United, I insist Cristiano Ronaldo is one thing and Messi is another...There is no comparison. Messi deserves to win the Ballon d'Or this year."

> Info Source

Kaka says Ronaldo deserves to be called The Best Player in the World

Speaking ahead of this month's friendly between Brazil and Portugal, 2007's World Player of the Year Kaka said of Cristiano Ronaldo:

"And I want to beat Cristiano, who will deservedly win the Ballon d'Or, and make all Brazilian people happy."

> Info Source

FourFourTwo names Ronaldo The Best Player in the World

We're still waiting on the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player awards to be decided but another footie opinion-maker, FourFourTwo, has come out with their list for The Best Player in the World.

And - surprise - Cristiano Ronaldo earns the title.

Said FourFourTwo editor-in-chief Hugh Sleight:

“There were other contenders, but ultimately Ronaldo’s personal achievements, coupled with his team’s success, secured him the No.1 spot.”

> Info Source

Wilson prepared to face The Best Player in the World

"I've played against Ronaldinho in the past, but I think Ronaldo just now is incredible...He is probably as good an opponent as any of our players have ever come up against. He is a guy who can do everything. He looks unhappy when he scores just now, but he is still scoring loads."

> Info Source

The Best Players in the World are all divers

So there.

That's what Cristiano Ronaldo thinks:

“If we have to talk about divers then we have to talk about all the best players in the world...They are the ones who are the most difficult to stop and attract the most fouls. So they fall more than others...Even the biggest heroes also end up falling. I am used to this criticism...I will continue to be the player I am, aiming to win collective and individual titles. That makes me very proud, above what people may think.”

He's so right. The best players have always been targetted with physical play by the less skillfull.

Ronaldo also once more made an argument for himself to be named The Best Player in the World:

“We will know shortly if I’m the best player in the world. For the moment I don’t know...There are many other candidates for the Ballon d’Or but the one who has to win is the one who was the best during the year...I was very consistent. I was champion in England and I won the Champions League. I was the top scorer in Europe, the top scorer in the Champions League. Everything I did, I did well. I had an extraordinary season. The rest I don’t control.”


> Info Source

Lampard?

You wonder how Luis Felipe Scolari ever won a World Cup with a statement like this:

“My vote for World Player of the Year is for Frank. Only he could score that goal...It’s one of the best goals I’ve seen. There’s only one player with this quality to score that goal...To have that intelligence to see the goalkeeper and to finish like that, I think it’s one of the best I’ve seen in my football career...He’s an intelligent player. I don’t see any player the same as Frank — it’s a fantastic for a coach to have a player like him.”

Lampard is a very good player - but The Best Player in the World?

Come on Luis, are we missing something here?

Still, this mention meets our criteria: Scolari is a manager and he did use the term "The Best Player in the World".

Therefore, one vote for Lampard - as if it's going to make a difference in this contest.

> Info Source

Ronaldo always wanted to become The Best Player in the World

''But I have always been an ambitious player. I try to improve every season, not because I have to prove myself to anyone, just because I want to be the best I can be...I am still young and if I am being honest, I did not think I would reach this level so quickly...But I always believed in my talent and I have learned a lot, so it made me think that maybe I would become the best player in the world.''

> Info Source

FIFA nominees for World Player of the Year

Soccernet.com has observed that FIFA's list of nominees for its World Player of the Year award consists of 6 Spaniards.

That doesn't surprise me - given both the high quality of that team and it's wonderful individual players.

Still - we think the award will go to Cristiano after the coaches and captains have cast their votes.

Here is the full list of nominees:

Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid and Argentina), Andrei Arshavin (Zenit St Petersburg and Russia), Michael Ballack (Chelsea and Germany), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus and Italy), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid and Spain), Deco (Chelsea and Portugal), Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast), Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona and Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal and Spain), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool and England), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan and Sweden), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona and Spain), Kaka (AC Milan and Brazil), Frank Lampard (Chelsea and England), Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentina), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich and France), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United and Portugal), John Terry (Chelsea and England), Fernando Torres (Liverpool and Spain), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid and Netherlands), David Villa (Valencia and Spain) and Xavi (Barcelona and Spain).

> Info Source

Cristiano wins the players' vote

Yesterday, FifPro, a worldwide representative organisation for professional football players, with more than 57,500 members, named Cristiano Ronaldo as The Best Player in the World.

Said Ronaldo of this particular version of The Best Player in the World title:

"To be recognised by my fellow players is amazing...I would like to thank my team-mates and coaches and everyone involved at United and the national team, as well as my family and friends for their support."

Cristiano awaits now the verdicts of the Ballon d'Or (voted by journalists) and FIFA (voted by managers and captains) to confirm his status as The Best Player in the World.

> Info Source

Cristiano votes for himself

"I am completely confident...If you assess what I did over the course of the season; I think I did more than anyone. What more could I have done to win the Ballon d'Or and the Fifa award?"

The question is will Messi do the same?

> Info Source

Sir Alex votes for Cristiano

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson thinks that Ronaldo deserves both the European and World Footballer of the Year awards:

"I think Ronaldo will win both of them...If he doesn't I want to sign the guy who does win them."

> Info Source

Lippi votes for Messi

Italy's World Cup winning manager Marcello Lippi has publicly cast his vote this year's Best Player in the World:

"For me the candidates for the Ballon D'or are just three: Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Torres and Messi. They could have done without the rest...As for who is the best in the world, in my opinion it's Leo Messi."

> Info Source

Greening thinks Rooney may be best right now

After losing to United 4 - nil at the weekend, West Brom captain Jonathan Greening came to this conclusion about Wayne Rooney:

"Rooney is just awesome, isn’t he? He is one of the best players in the world — if not the best — even at his young age...He’s fast and he’s strong. I don’t think there’s a weakness in his game. It simply doesn’t matter where Alex Ferguson decides to play him. You’ve just got to let him play where he feels he will be effective...If he is getting joy down the left, he’ll go there and if he’s getting joy down the right, he’ll go there. If he’s getting joy in the hole, he’ll play there. He’s just an amazing player."

> Info Source

Ruud thinks Cristiano will win Ballon d'Or

"My vote would be for (Iker) Casillas," Van Nistelrooy is quoted as saying, "however, I think Cristiano will win.""A player like him would be good for any team. I think everything about that subject has already been said," he concluded.

> Info Source

Pep says Iniesta is best

Barcelona's new manager Pep Guardiola has a wealth of talent at his disposal but seems to prize Andres Iniesta the most. In fact he thinks Iniesta may be the best player in any club:

"The best in the world? If anybody deserves to be, it’s him, there no doubt about that...But it is impossible to win individual honours if your team doesn’t win. I have to remind my players about that from time to time...For a player of such a high calibre to be so willing to play wherever he is asked sets an example for all footballers and sportspeople...His best position? The players that tip the balance need to be hovering around the area. The nearer they are the better."

Pep may be right. From where I sat, I thought Iniesta was the best player on Spain's winning team at the Euros - better than even the great Xabi.

> Info Source

Robihno aims to be the best player in the world

He says:

"It isn't because of money, it is simply because I want to leave. My personal aim is to be the best player in the world and that isn't going to be possible at Real Madrid."

But is it possible? Cristiano Ronaldo is not yet done with the title and there are other great players knocking at the door.

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Fox Soccer asks...

"How do you replace the best in the world?"

...as correspondent Jorge Moran analyzes the impact on Manchester United should Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid.

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Henry says Messi is the best

"I have the possibility to watch Messi in training each morning, and because of what he demonstrates he is the best player in the world."

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Aragones hails Torres

Spain's Euro 2008 winning manager Luis Aragones on star striker Fernando Torres:

"Fernando is a great player for Liverpool and for our team and he can go anywhere because he has really extraordinary speed and he knows how to dribble...We always tell him he's a player who is so young that he can learn to do everything and there is no doubt he can be one of the best players in the world."

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Xabi Alonso touts Torres

“Fernando can be the best in the world...He has all the qualities to get that award [the Ballon d'Or].”

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Ronaldo not included in Euro 2008 top 23 players

It seems impossible when you consider how long he has held the title of The Best Player in the World but Crisitiano Ronaldo was not among the 23 players selected by the UEFA Technical Team for the Team of The Tournament.

UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh said:

"The Team of the Tournament is something we put into our technical report for our coaching colleagues. We give them pointers on the players that our technical experts have appreciated during this event. This team is very much self-contained in terms of the tournament – this is not about reputations. In fact there are only four players in here who were in our UEFA Champions League team of the competition. It's all very much about the performances in this competition. We haven't included anybody who was knocked out in the group phase."

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France miss Zidane

Days before their big clash with Italy to decide which team will go through to the next round of Euro 2008, France Goalkeeper Gregory Coupet commented on the void left in the team by the retirement of the great Zinedine Zidane:

"We lost a great captain like Zidane... It's not easy to replace the best player in the world."

This comment and this reminder of Zidane's one-time status as The Best Player in the World, causes us to reflect on more possible criteria for this title.

And a question emerges: is Ronaldo any less The Best Player in the World than Zidane if his team is any less dependent on him than France were?

In other words, would Portugal miss Ronaldo as much as France are now missing Zidane's genius?

I don't think so.

Portugal just might play as well and be as successful without Ronaldo. But France? Even with that great team of players? France miss Zidane badly.

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Bilic says Modric is best player in Europe

The Croatian manager, Bilic, is then saying that Modric is better than Cristiano Ronaldo - The Best Player in the World:

"Luca is already a star even without this tournament...I keep saying to him every day that he's the best player in Europe...But he's not the only great player on our team, we have world class players and they prove it day in, day out, every day in training and in every match in each part of the pitch."

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Black Pearl votes for Ronaldo

Portugal legend Eusebio has no doubts that Cristiano Ronaldo will become The Best Player in the World:

"He has proved it by winning the Premier League, by winning the Champions League, with Manchester United...Now he is here in the national team but it is different. He is part of the group, it's not Cristiano plus 10, it's not about him, it's about the team of 11 players...That group mentality is good and good for him. He can concentrate on the football and it helps keep his feet on the ground...He can become the best player in the world."

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Bruckner votes for Cristiano Ronaldo

Czech manager Karel Bruckner has been impressed by Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2008:

"He is probably the best player in the entire tournament... Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world. He is a very dangerous weapon."

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Simplicity

UEFA technical delegate and former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has come out to praise The Best Player in the World's performance against Turkey:

“In 2004 he was a very young player, now he has acquired experience through the Champions League and Premier League...He looked sometimes as if he was overdoing it but it looks now as if he has simplified his game...The most difficult thing in football is to keep things simple and it seems that with maturity he’s learned to do that and has become more and more effective for his team...He can beat players, he can run, he can make goals he can score. You have international players, then world class player and he definitely belongs among them.”

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Scolari insists The Best Player in the World must deliver at Euros

"He's one of the five best players in the world. I can't say if he's the best...He's one of the best players I've worked with. Cristiano has shown that he is a player who can decide matches. Now he has all the potential to be one of the leading figures of world football...I hope he is not only the best player in the world playing for Manchester United, but also with the national team during Euro 2008."

Many people this year have already annoited CR7 as the best player in the world but Scolari either means what he's saying - that Ronaldo is not the best yet - or he is trying to use Ronaldo's quest for the Ballon d'or and FIFA's Player of the Year award to give as much to the Portugese national team as possible.

So this story is more about Portugal and Scolari than it is about CR7.

But you know how we feel here: if Portugal wins the Euros that may or may not cement Ronaldo's TBPITW status. What matters more than anything is the player's individual performance. Sometimes outstanding individual performances result in team wins, sometimes they do not...

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The Best Player in the World confirmed by Champions League win

Jose Mourinho said that CR could not be considered TBPITW unless he won the Champions League.


Well, he's done it now Jose.

Can there be any doubts now?

Robinho wants The Best Player in the World to join him in Madrid

"I believe that Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world...He is on top; he will play in the Champions League final and must be on the verge of winning the Ballon d'Or. It is always good for players of his standard to come to Real Madrid because the coach will have better options to choose from and that can only be to the advantage of the team."

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Scolari says Ronaldo is The Best Player in the World

"According to me, Ronaldo is the best player in the world...And I hope that he will not just be the best with Manchester United, but also with the national side during Euro...Ronaldo has come on a lot as not only a player, but also and especially as a human being."

Info Source

Joe Cole thinks that Messi is better than The Best Player in the World

He's still The Best Player in the World based on our yearly ranking but Chelsea's Joe Cole thinks that there is at least one better player than Cristiano Ronaldo: Lionel Messi:

“I think they are both great players. Ronaldo has been fantastic, but Messi showed in the semi-final that he is the top man...If we could sign him I'd love to play with him. He is only 20 as well, just imagine how good he will be in the next 10 years.”

Now this just may be a case of head games heading into Chelsea's Champions League clash with Cristiano's United but it still counts as a vote for Messi in our books.

Of course it won't hurt his case if Ronaldo becomes a Champions League winner next Wednesday while Messi sits on the sidelines with eliminated Barca. Messi was the best player on the pitch when his team were eliminated by United but its the opinion of many that all Ronaldo has to do is win the Champions League to have the right to be called The Best Player in the World.

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The Best Player in the World is a complete footballer - now

Sportinglife's Martyn Ziegler:

"Now, quite simply, Ronaldo is the best player in the world and the most exciting too. He has it all - proficient with either foot, tremendous speed, brilliant dribbling ability, a vicious shot, a free-kick style that he alone has mastered, a goal-poacher's nose, a powerful physique and strength in the air...Does he have a weakness? Not even his temperament any more, as the occasional tantrums that sometimes surfaced in the past now appear under control. Ronaldo, in fact, is as close as you can get to the complete footballer."

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CNN calls Ronaldo The Best Player in the World

CNN's Greg Duke says:

"...United now have their modern day 'Best' and -- whisper it quietly -- there are many who believe that the current No.7 even surpasses that ultimate superstar of the sixties.
To put it bluntly, Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest footballer currently playing the game."

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Wes Brown calls Ronaldo The Best Player in the World

"Without a shadow of a doubt he's the best player in the world at the moment...He's taken his game to a different level and I'm sure he'll get more goals this season. I'm just glad he's on our side...Even for his team-mates, it's exciting to watch him when he gets on the ball because you know there's a chance something's going to happen, whether it's him setting up a goal or scoring one. He's capable of producing something out of nothing."

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The Best Player in the World doesn't like the weather in Manchester

"It is hard to live in Manchester...I am very happy here. I want to play here for many more seasons and get even better...The weather might not be great but I'm used to it, it's a great club and that's what's most important."

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Writers say The Best Player in the World is England's Footballer of the Year

FWA Chairman Paul Hetherington:

"Ronaldo's award is no surprise after his brilliant form this season...Our records show he is the most overwhelming winner since Billy Bremner won it in 1970. He did not exactly get 100 percent of the vote, but from the moment voting started he moved to the front and stayed there...To score 38 goals in a season -- so far -- is an astonishing feat for a player who is essentially a winger. Given his age, he has the potential and ability to dominate this award for years in an unprecedented way."

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The Best Player in the World adds grit to his game

"Cristiano Ronaldo took another step towards becoming FIFA'S World Player of the Year on Tuesday but insisted the team was more important than any individual...Manchester United's gifted winger proved he is prepared to put in a hard shift as well as they secured a place in the Champions League final in Moscow next month...Although he failed to improve on his 38-goal tally, Ronaldo's gritty display in the 1-0 defeat of Barcelona only served to emphasise how far he has come this season...He is now widely recognised as the best player in the world after finishing third behind Kaka and Lionel Messi last season."

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Comment: "The Best Player in the World" title is more about "likeability" than anything else

I was blogging somewhere else when I came upon this realization about The Best Player in the World title:

"Right. The kid (Messi) gets injured a lot. Strangely after all of this discussion Goal.com is speculating that Luca Toni could win the Ballon d'Or. But I think that trophy is something different from what we're talking about here. "The Best Player in the World" is about something more than a checklist as you find with the Ballon or the FIFA Player of the Year. There is almost something personal about this term, this title of The Best Player in the World; it almost about how people "feel" about a player. It is powerful because it is a term used casually in conversation and comes naturally from people.

I just don't know if Mourinho is right in saying that Ronaldo needs to win the Champions League to be considered The Best Player in the World.

For me it's about really "liking" a player. And right now I think the world "likes" Messi better than Ronaldo. And that's why Messi needs to play more. For the more he plays, the more likely it is that the world will like him more than any other player."

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Luca Toni could beat The Best Player in the World for Ballon d'Or ?

All the talk has been of Barca's Lionel Messi unseating United's Cristiano Ronaldo as The Best Player in the World. However there is word today that some are thinking that Bayern striker Luca Toni could steal the Ballon d'Or if Germany win Euro 2008.

According to Goal.com:

"Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the red hot favourite to win the prestigious prize following a prolific season for Manchester United, during which he has scored 38 goals so far. However there are reports in the Italian peninsula that Toni could win the prize if the Azzurri were to emerge victorious at Euro 2008. The 30-year-old is having an equally stunning campaign for Bayern Munich, and is the top scorer in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Cup, and has hit 36 goals in all competitions. The Italian has already won the German Cup, is on the verging of capturing the league, and is also in the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup. In the past it has often been big performances at the major international tournaments that has counted most in deciding who wins the European and World Footballer of the Year awards."

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Lawton says Messi was dominant player

"The implications of a Barça strike on United's psyche were not pretty to contemplate at such an early point of the proceedings and it was as though the entire stadium produced a collective gulp. Messi was that dominant as the focal point of attack in a Barcelona who once again seemed intent on passing United to the verge of a coma...Messi refused to stop his quest and in stoppage time remained a one-man source of agitation to Ferguson's heart...Ronaldo? The man whose absence from the vital Premier League challenge at Stamford Bridge caused so much tactical debate, so much questioning of Ferguson's judgement, was in truth not much more than a spectator. If destiny called to him, it found that on this occasion he wasn't at home."

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Ronaldo onto Moscow but Messi is The Best Player in the World for one day

In a week where manager Jose Mourinho stated that Cristiano Ronaldo needed to win big trophies to be considered The Best Player in the World, it was Lionel Messi who ruled the day in Manchester.

Best Player? Emphatically.

Best Player on Best Team with Best Manager though?

Not.

Still, what a player. We don't think that Jose Mourinho should be dictating the terms of an "individual" title. He is only about Collective Conquests which flout rules and laws.

But the Best Player? He is only about...beauty. Pure beauty. And today that beauty was more Messi than Ronaldo.

"According to his peers in England, Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo remains the Premier League’s outstanding player but when it comes to the world stage he may still have to bow to Lionel Messi...It is Ronaldo not Messi who will grace the final of the Champions League after the Portugal international, voted the Player of the Year by his fellow players for the second year running, helped United to overcome Barcelona in their semi-final...No-one, though, could have done more than Messi to try to influence the second leg at Old Trafford on Tuesday—apart from Paul Scholes who scored the only goal of United’s 1-0 victory...The 20-year-old Messi, three years Ronaldo’s junior, was the outstanding attacking player on show and almost single-handedly led Barcelona’s attempt to claw back Scholes’s early goal and take the 2006 winners through to Moscow with an away goal...Though United defended well, they could hardly lay a finger on the bewitching winger who rode tackle after tackle to try to create the decisive opening...One typically elusive run and shot in the first half had Edwin van der Sar at full stretch to save. Thereafter, the Argentina international picked and probed at the United back line to create openings for team mates which they were unable to take."

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Sam Wallace again calls Ronaldo The Best Player in the World

"This season United are undoubtedly the team to beat in Europe, they have the best player in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo, and it is has never felt more like their moment in history has arrived. Just as Barcelona's did two years' earlier. All of which will only make a defeat for Ferguson tonight even more painful."

Yes, we will give more than one vote to one person. What do you think this is an ineffective democratic institution? No! This is the truth speaking. And Sam Wallace and his reputable news organization are objectively devoting valuable space to the pursuit of truth. So, another vote to Sam. There!

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The Best Player in the World is named PFA Player of the Year

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Mourinho says The Best Player in the World must win a trophy

"The player of the year must be the best of the year but he must also be a winner...I don't think he can be a player without a big trophy. Clearly what Ronaldo did in the season was magnificent. I think by far, or by some distance, he has been the best player in the Premiership but for me the best is always a winner because football is a collective sport. If Man United do something important by winning the Premiership or by winning the Champions League I would say – and not just me, the whole football world – give the trophy to him."

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Well...what Mourinho says might be true of the EPL Player of the Year trophy but it's not necessarily true about our title - The Best Player in the World.

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Ribery The Best Player in the World?

He's Canadian - so what does he know about real football, eh? But Morris Dalla Costa of The London Free Press has been watching a lot of the Bundesliga this season - perhaps because like a lot of Canadians he cannot afford this season's Setanta package - and he has enjoyed watching Franck Ribery of Bayern Munich:

"The headlines are usually reserved for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, even guys like David Beckham who have done little to deserve headlines...Yet one player sure to provide headlines come Euro '08 never gets enough credit as arguably the best soccer player in the world...France's Franck Ribery has been anointed as the next Zinedine Zidane of French football. A relative unknown, Ribery was selected for France the first time by coach Raymond Domenech for the 2006 World Cup."

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Capello not yet convinced Ronaldo is The Best Player in the World

From an interview with Spanish sports newspaper Marca, Capello "mentions" Ronaldo and five other players as being deserving of the title of The Best Player in the World:

"Capello has also been impressed by the free-scoring Cristiano Ronaldo, but is not yet convinced that he is the best player in the world.

He said: 'He is one of the best, but on that list you have Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Kaka, Alexandre Pato, Cesc and Wayne Rooney.' "

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The Best Player in the World builds a gaudy house

He plays the beautiful game and then builds this monstrosity?



Terrible. Little wonder the neighbours are unhappy. The place is ugly.
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The Fiver calls The Best Player in the World a liar !

" 'We had lots of possession and created more chances than Barcelona,' lied Cristiano Ronaldo today. Unfortunately for The Best Player in the World, the stats show Barca had 73% of possession to United's 27% and six shots on target to the visitors' one, suggesting Ronaldo's appraisal was even wider of the mark than his penalty."

Is it worse to be called a liar than a..diver?

Who knows?

You can see the logic and the humour in The Fiver's argument but they still call him The Best Player in the World.

And given that The Fiver is part of serious media empire that makes lots of money and pays its staff money - unlike us mere bloggers out here in the blogsphere - we're counting that as a vote for CR7.

Take note Fivers - based on our meticulous research process - Ronaldo is STILL... The Best Player in the World !

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AFP: The Best Player in the World gets pundits verdict over Messi

"It didn't quite turn into the mesmerising display of skills between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi that everyone had anticipated but pundits gave the verdict to the United player...'It was an impressive performance from him,' commented Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari, who was at the game checking on Ronaldo's progress ahead of the forthcoming Euro 2008 finals."

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Times Online: Messi outplayed The Best Player in the World

The Times Online post-match ratings for Ronaldo and Messi after the Champions League semi-final between Barca and United:

8/10

Lionel Messi Worked the magic that has made him one of the most coveted players in the world. His passing was something to behold and Evra and Brown would have been glad to see the back of him when he was substituted.

6/10

Cristiano Ronaldo What a statement United’s talisman would have sent out had he converted his penalty. Instead, he missed and was overshadowed by Messi, who may yet have a say in where the World Player of the Year award goes.

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The Best Player in the World vows to atone for missed penalty

Ronaldo on his penalty miss versus Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final at the Nou Camp:

"I've scored a few penalties in that side but today I didn't score - no problem. Now I'm going to score in Manchester."

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Guardian splits The Best in the World vote

Gerry Armstrong Former Northern Ireland striker, now La Liga commentator for Sky Sports votes for Ronaldo, while former England striker Trevor Francis votes for Messi and says:

"We do tend to get a bit carried away in this country when we are praising players."

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"The Experts" say that The Best Player in the World has no bounds

Givemefootball.com, the website of The Professional Footballers Association says that The Best Player in the World is The Best Player in the World:

"So much has been written and said about Cristiano Ronaldo that it's hard to know where to start with yet another appraisal of a quite remarkable young man and a talent that knows no bounds."

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Giggs thinks teammate Ronaldo is The Best Player in the World

"After what he has done this season, Ronnie will be voted European Footballer of the Year and World Player of the Year - I'm certain of that...But we're recognised as the biggest club in the world and in Ronnie we've got the best player in the world. And the Champions League is the best stage there is to prove that...So why would Ronnie want to go anywhere else? He's already at the best club he could possibly be, and playing football on a different level to any other player in the world."

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Xavi calls Ronaldo The Best Player in the World but...

“With [Lionel] Messi, he is the best player in the world. In fact, he is in front of Leo in terms of influence in a game...The kid has everything — we are talking about physical and technical football...I have the impression, but I don’t know him, that he spends too much time with things that are not football-related. He has goals, dribbling, pace and a winning mentality. But also he overcomplicates things...



...He feels so superior to everybody, and rightly so, that he tries things that sometimes are unnecessary...I think he could be a much better player if he was here, playing with us. I have a soft spot for him, I would love him to join us. He would be a better footballer, I feel that he doesn’t get as much pressure, as many demands as he would get here. In England, if you do a couple of things right, people talk about you being a legend. Here if you don’t do a control properly or if you throw the ball to the stands, people hate you, so you have to become a better player.”

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Avram Grant rates Steven Gerrard ahead of The Best Player in the World

Says the Chelsea manager of the Liverpool captain:

"For me he is the player of the year in England and maybe in Europe because of the influence he has on the team...He's very good, I like him very much as a player. And I know him, he is a nice guy, a positive guy and he is an example for many people...Unfortunately he plays against me, not with me, but he is still my favourite player...I'm not surprised he is playing up front with Fernando Torres now because I think he can play in many positions...In that position he probably feels more free. Tactically, it's not easy to play against this position."

Should this count as a vote? It is Avram Grant after all and he is only speaking of Gerrard being the best in Europe. But a vote against the current title holder of The Best Player in the World really is a defacto vote for Gerrard on the world stage. We'll give a vote to Gerrard then. What's a vote here or there when TBPITW is so far ahead of everyone else?

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I mean is there any chance in the world that Steven Gerrard, as great as he is, can become The Best now?

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Gudjohnsen rates Scholes ahead of The Best Player in the World

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's clash with Manchester United, Barcelona's Eidur Gudjohnsen stated that he rated Paul Scholes ahead of The Best Player in the World:

"I'm more an admirer of Paul Scholes than I am of Ronaldo. Ronaldo is a fantastic player, but he has 10 other great players around him every week...Scholes is one of the most complete footballers I've ever seen. His one-touch play is phenomenal. Whenever I have played against him, I never felt I could get close to him...Of course players like Ronaldo and Messi can change a game with one bit of skill, but there's a lot of hysteria about them and the tie will be all about which of us plays better as a team."

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Rooney Backs Ronaldo as The Best Player in the World

It wasn't that long ago that Cristiano Ronaldo was getting blamed for helping Wayne Rooney get sent off in the 2006 World Cup.


But today Rooney has become the Portugese's biggest backer:

"He has not just been the best player of the last two seasons, he's the best player the Premier League has ever seen - and that's including Thierry Henry, Gianfranco Zola, Eric Cantona, Dennis Bergkamp and Alan Shearer...Cristiano is rightly talked about as the best player in the world. I was surprised he didn't get the world player award last season. He's got to get it this time."

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Robson says Ronaldo is The Best Player in the World

“Cristiano Ronaldo has been sensational this season. It must be the magic rubbing off my old shirt!...

...He’s been terrific ever since he signed for United but he’s raised his game to a new level this time and now he’s at the point where he is the best player in the world."

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Roger Federer should stick to tennis

The tennis great thinks that Cristiano Ronaldo needs to achieve more to be considered The Best Player in the World:

"He is having a great season at Manchester United, has scored many goals and at the end of the season will be in the European Championship...But, If he wants to be the best in the world he has to win the Euros."






But that is entirely wrong. Best Player in the World status cannot be tied only to winning trophies since football is a team game and therefore Ronaldo is as dependent on his teammates as they are on him.

Football is not like tennis where one man is left standing: it is a collection of over twenty players, not to mention the manager. For Federer's argument to be correct every player on Portugal's team would then have to become the best player in the world whereas the tournament itself is only about the team becoming the best...in Europe...

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Even Torres thinks Ronaldo is The Best Player in the World

"Ronaldo? He's above all other players in the world...


...He can score with any part of his body. He's a complete player. Barcelona will have to cover him because he can give them a great chance to qualify...If he feels comfortable and takes the game to the opposition, things will be complicated."

Things will indeed be complicated Fernando. The man is able to "leap tall buildings in a single bound".

But Barcelona is kind of like Kryptonite sometimes. We'll have to see just how superhuman The Best Player in the World is during this next Champions League round.

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The Best Player in the World to promote sports drink

The drink is called Soccerade.

We're not sure how physiologically different footballers are to other athletes and so the idea of "Soccerade" differentiating itself from "Gatorade" or "Powerade" is dubious.

Now if on the other hand Soccerade plays on the fact that footballers are mentally superior to say American footballlers, baseballers or basketballers, and thereby ad something to their drink that further enhances that mental superiority, then Soccerade has a winner on its hands.

As such, it has picked the right ambassador for its new product, for The Best Player in the World is both a physiological and psychological soccer superhero.

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Real's Slick President Stops Chasing The Best Player in the World

My oh, my what a greasy head. If you were The Best Player in the World would you want to leave Manchester United to play for this man, Real Madrid president Predrag Mijatovic?

"Right now, it is impossible to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. Who would not want him in their team? But we have to be realistic because it is a transfer that is surrounded by so many difficulties."


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The Best Player In The World Gets Mad at the World

Cristiano Ronaldo is starting to tire of the speculation about his future:

"I just don't care what the whole world seems to want to say about me or speculate about my future...I've said it a thousand times and, by now, people should realise...I'm totally happy at United...I'm in the form of my life and I'm having the season of my career so far so it makes me mad sometimes to read some of the things which are supposed to be related to my future...I get angry but I'm trying to accept it's a waste of energy to be furious because it is not worth it."


No it's not worth it Cristiano. Stay focused. There are still trophies to be won:

Such as:

1. Premiership

2. Champions League

3. Euro 2008

4. Ballon d'Or

5. FIFA World Player

With all that on the line why would you want to focus on what "other" people are saying or writing?

Don't worry about journalists, bloggers or Real president Predrag Mijatovic...

Because after all you are The Best Player In The World.

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The Best Player In The World likes to rub it in

Ronaldo v Justin Hoyte:

All the money in the world cannot buy The Best Player In The World

United Assistant Carlos Queiroz insists that there is no way the team will sell The Best Player In The World to Real Madrid:

“We will not even sell him for €120 million...All the money in the world can be offered, but no amount can buy him.”

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The Best Player In The World could be football's Michael Jordan

United's assistant manager Carlos Queiroz:


"Ronaldo can be to football what Michael Jordan was to the NBA. He is capable of surprising us every day with something new. Not many players can do that, only those who make their mark on football history."

We're certain that Nike will be very pleased to hear about that prospect as The Best Player In The World is one of their players.

But isn't a more apt comparison found within the sport? Couldn't Cristiano become the next...

...Pele?

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Sid Lowe thinks The Best Player In The World would be Messi if not for injuries

"I heard Sid Lowe say on Football Weekly that if it wasn't for injuries Lionel Messi would be streaks ahead of everyone else as the best player in the world. I couldn't agree more. I would go one step further though and say that despite his injuries, I still think Messi is easily the most perfect footballer on the planet. Ronaldo and Messi will square up in just over a week, with Ronaldo having a much easier task, what with him facing a terribly inept Barcelona defence deprived of their best defender (who isn't even that good anyway). This should be a good opportunity for Ronaldo to display his talents, and if he does so I will praise him for it. However, if he plays a bit rubbish but scores some form of goal, can I ask that people don't harp on about him answering his critics with another big performance in a big game. That would be much appreciated."

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The Best Player In The World breaks fan's arm

With a shot. Yes it's true:

Why this man would want to get in the way of a Best Player In The World shot is beyond us. Foolishness.

But the old boy has no axe to grind with The Best Player In The World:

"I definitely think he's the best footballer in the world..."

Here's the full story...

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The Best Player In The World wears the Nike Mercurial Vapor Super Light shoe

...and races a Bugati:

The Best Player In The World looks forward to Champions League challenge of Barcelona

Cristiano Ronaldo is looking ahead to United's Champions League tie with Barcelona and despite his own dominating form and the swagger of his great team, he is wisely cautious of the Spanish giants.

"I am very excited about playing in Barcelona, not only because it is the semi-finals of the Champions League but also because it is against a big team in an enormous stadium...The tie is very close to call. Barcelona will play better than they have in their last matches...They have a quality team and it will be difficult for us."

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"He's the best player in the world..."

The Best Player In The World is set to become The Richest Player in the World

The word is that Manchester United will sign Cristiano Ronaldo to an improved contract prior to Euro 2008:

"This will be the biggest contract in the club's history. Given Ronaldo's achievements over the past two years, it's easy to understand why...There is no doubt he is the best player in the world and we want to make sure he is happy at United. There is only one place for him and that is Old Trafford."

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Wenger praises Ronaldo's style and efficiency

“He is the best player in the world at the moment, because he has the combination of the two most difficult things in life...Style and efficiency...I have always loved efficiency and he had that in the goals he has scored. He plays as a winger but he's scored 37 goals. You cannot deny that.”

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Video: He's the best player in the world

"...he's the best player in the world..."

Soccerlens: Kopite believes in Torres

Soccerlens has an interesting little discussion going on about whether it should be Ronaldo or Torres for the PFA award.

"TORRES, TORRES, TORRES, hands down, not only has he got more of a variaty of scoring goals, but dont forget this is his FIRST season in english football, ronaldo has now been in the prem for 5 years, and only just hit peak form, if it took him 5 i dread to think how good torres could possibly be, after 5 seasons.plane and simple really.!!!"

Question: is the PFA award the defacto World Player Award due to the Cristiano Ronaldo Factor? Surely if for instance Torres beat Ronaldo for the PFA he would have to be considered also The Best Player in the World?

But of course that is not our process here. The "Mentions" right now have Cristiano well in the lead...regardless of what the loyal Kopite might have to say about Torres.

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CaughtOffSide: Ronaldo votes for himself ?

Is Cristiano Ronaldo as crazy as Antonio Cassano, who also fancies himself as the best (here) ?

Caughtoffside weighs in on The Best Player in the World debate by calling CR arrogant:

"Kaka might be officially the best player in the world but the arrogant Cristiano Ronaldo believes that he is the best player in the business."

Still, this counts as a vote for Cristiano. Maybe it is arrogant but even in presidential elections you get to vote for yourself. That's the whole point of putting yourself on The World Stage.

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Henry: This is Cristiano Ronaldo’s year

He used to play for hated rivals Arsenal and will now try to knock United out of the Champions League with Barcelona but Thierry Henry still has the class and the sense to celebrate the greatness that is Cristiano Ronaldo:

“This is Cristiano Ronaldo’s year. He will be World Player of the Year. There’s nobody else. The way he’s playing is just ridiculous...I respect him a hell of a lot — especially the way he came back from the World Cup...The whole of England was waiting for him to kill him, waiting for him to fail, and he didn’t.”

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If Kaka says so...

"It’s also true that Cristiano Ronaldo is the best footballer in the world at the moment...He is world class but to win the Ballon d’Or there are other factors to take into account, the Euros could provide further proof."

...then it must be true...for now...

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Cantona: Ronaldo has skills which no other player has

"ERIC Cantona has backed United for double glory.The iconic Frenchman believes the Reds will retain the Premier League and win the Champions League because they have 'the best team, the best manager and the best player in the world...Cristiano Ronaldo has skills which no other player has, he is the best player in the world.' "

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Best player has been injured: Messi

"Messi will be back for the United games. Barca are woeful at the moment because the best player in the world is currently injured. When he’s back they will be back. Barca rely a lot on Messi like United rely a lot on Ronaldo but Barca need Messi more than United need Ronaldo."

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Sam Wallace: best player is on United's side

"In the closing stages Gary Neville got a first run-out since 17 March last year and Ferguson told Ronaldo to sit back down on the bench. Ronaldo was not even born when United beat Diego Maradona's Barcelona 3-0 in March 1984 in the European Cup-Winners' Cup quarter-finals, on one of Old Trafford's greatest European nights. At least, this time, United will be able to say the best player in the world is on their side."

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Crazy Cassano votes for himself

Sampdoria's insane striker, Antonio Cassano has made an outlandish claim:

“Do I feel second to Cristiano Ronaldo or Kaka? I have said it plenty of times, I am not second to anyone."

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Louis Spence: Ronaldo is best United player ever

"He is always worth the admission fee alone such is his bewildering array of talents. His stepovers make the likes of Joe Cole and Aaron Lennon look diver booted. Johann Cruyff rates him a better player than Best or Law in their prime and at the tender age of twenty-three, one can only wonder how much improvement will be made before he fully matures as a player.I cannot think of a better Manchester United player ever and this of course includes Charlton and Cantona as well as the afore-mentioned.Have I convinced you about the lad from Madeira?"

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Lippi votes for Ronaldo

"World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi has not ruled out Roma's chances of progressing to the Champions League semi-finals, but believes the Giallorossi are up against the world's best team in Manchester United and the world's best player in Cristiano Ronaldo."

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