De Rossi Prefers Rooney to Cristiano

By deduction we conclude that Roma player Danielle de Rossi's pick for Best Player in the World is Wayne Rooney:

"They are a great side, strong in every area of the pitch, but there are four or five players in attack who are frightening for their quality and for their age...They are all strong and young so they will be very good for a few years to come...I rate Rooney as one of the three best players in the world. He is definitely my favourite United player. He is very young and solid and has already scored against us. I just hope he will not be at his best tomorrow."

Rooney is one of the top three in the world and he doesn't mention Cristiano Ronaldo? That's as good as a "Best Player in the World" vote for us.

Source >

Champion and Burley Rave about Cristiano Ronaldo

From Jon Champion and Craig Burley's commentary for Setanta's coverage of Manchester United's match v. Aston Villa:

Immediately after Ronaldo's back-flick-nutmeg goal:

"He's prepared to try anything...A moment of sheer brilliance from a player that Martin O'Neil describes as the best in the world right now..."

Champion and Burley refer to a Martin O'neil quote but in so doing are really making their argument for Cristiano Ronaldo being The Best Player in the World.

Ronaldo aims to be best

“But of course it’s my aim to be the best in the world. I want to be the best in the world and that’s what I work towards every day...But only God knows whether I will one day manage to win that prize which is so important for me as a player. "

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How do you define 'best' ?

The Groundsman wonders about the process of determining The Best Player in the World:

1) “You’re saying he’s the best based upon the notion that the Premier League IS the best league in the world, rather than the one with the most money. He’s the best in his league, but without having seen football in other countries week in and week out, it’s unfair to make that judgement.”

2) “How do you define ‘best’? Does it mean the ability to score lots of goals? Does it mean the player has more entertainment value on the field? Does it mean he creates the best opportunities for his teammates?”

Source >

Gabriele Marcotti believes Cristiano Ronaldo is without doubt the greatest player in the world … for now

"He may have earned the title of world's best player this year. But the competition is both fierce and hungry. If he wants to keep the crown, he'll have to perform just as well next year. And the year after that, and so on. And, if he does, he'll take his place alongside the all-time greats. Because the only thing he lacks right now is longevity. And that can only come in time."

Source > 30.03.2008

Ronaldo's Back-heel, Nut-meg Goal

"United then took a 17th-minute lead, Ronaldo adding weight to the argument that he is currently the best player in the world with an exquisitely improvised backheel after Villa failed to clear a corner. It was his 35th goal for his club this season, and arguably the most spectacular, the quickness of thought and fleetness of foot required to execute the finish aligned with the power and balance needed to force it through Martin Laursen’s legs and past the unsighted Carson."

Source > 30.03.2008

Sir Alex: Ronaldo as good as Maradona

"Sir Alex Ferguson last night paid Cristiano Ronaldo the ultimate tribute by claiming he is now as good as football legends Maradona and George Best...Ronaldo has enhanced his reputation as the No.1 player in the world with 34 goals this season, drawing comparisons with Manchester United legend Best...And now United boss Fergie has gone a step further by claiming Ronaldo is as good at running with the ball as Argentina legend Maradona, ranked alongside Pele as the greatest player of all-time."

Source > 30.03.2008

Arbeloa: Torres Is The Best

"Ronaldo's confidence level is so high everything he tries seems to come off and he is a step ahead of everyone else at the moment...Alex Hleb of Arsenal and Chelsea's Joe Cole have also caught my eye but Torres has been massive for us...He has created a lot of goals for himself and is on a par with the best and I am sure he will be voted Footballer of the Year ahead of Ronaldo...He is an idol who has earned his stripes, particularly at Anfield, where he has scored most of his goals."

Source > 30.03.2008

Rooney Calls Cristiano Ronaldo The Best After Villa Thrashing

In a BBC interview after United thrashed Villa 4 - Nil and Ronaldo scored a sublime goal, teammate Wayne Rooney said:

"Quite rightly he is labled the best player in the world..."


Source > 29.03.2008

Ronaldo Best Now But Not Yet Better Than Best

"Martin O'Neill believes that Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world at the moment - and still not quite as good as George Best. The Aston Villa manager, whose team take on Manchester United at Old Trafford this evening, played with and against the late Old Trafford legend in the 1970s and considers it a worthy compliment that the players can even be talked of in the same conversation: 'The very fact that Ronaldo is being compared favourably - or should I say not unfavourably - with George Best speaks volumes...George Best was one of the greatest of all time.' "

Source > 29.03.2008

Ronaldo as a U21

Chris Flanagan of This is Chesire reflects back five years on a Portugal - England U21 match and casts his vote for Cristiano Ronaldo:

"Quaresma was regarded by many as the best young Portuguese player of that era but he failed at Barcelona and is now back in his home land, where he impresses for Porto but not for Portugal...Now, it is Ronaldo who has graduated to become the best player in the world - a player so good that his ability transcends traditional club rivalries."

Source > 27.03.2008

Demy de Zeeuw thinks Fabregas is the best

Demy de Zeeuw of Holland and AZ Alkmaar makes a case for Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas:

“Fabregas to me is the best player in the world. He is so smart, reads the game, can handle the ball instinctively without looking. He has eyes in his back and the most complete player. He can tackle, give assists, score… Wonderful. I know I’ve got a good shot in my feet, but I hardly ever get into the position to shoot. That’s something I need to work at.”

Source > 24.03.2008

Ronaldo needs to go to La Liga to prove himself

Dexy wants more from Ronaldo. He nominates two more players for 2008 and beyond. This post provides us with three votes:

"This may be why i’ve been feeling more and more empty by his performances. A move to Spain will give him extra incentive to display his full array of skills and potential. A move to Spain will also see him pitched up against, in my view, his two main rivals for the title “best player in the world”. The Barcelona pair of Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi. For me, Messi is a player that comes along once every 50 years and will be, fitness permitting, without parallel in the world game for over a decade. If one player in the world can rival Messi though, it is Cristiano Ronaldo. However, I believe he needs to be tested more frequently to push himself to the next level. Unfortunately for all Premiership fans this may mean a move to La Liga to set up a mouthwatering head to head with the little Argentine. If this does happen, there can be no argument that English football will be a poorer place without him."

Source > 25.03.2008

Furaduro's Video Argument for Cristiano Ronaldo

"Furaduro" makes a case for Cristiano Ronaldo using this video evidence:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A915aaj3ksE

Ronaldo Knows

"But the corner that followed was Ronaldos chance to redeem himself and he did.He found Evras corner after beating Alonso and Reina was just a tad late with his challenge.Ronaldo bags his 34th of the season and has a look on his face that says “Yea, I know! I know I‘m the best player in the world...”

Source > 24.03.2008

Redknapp: Ronaldo Is Better Than Kaká

According to Goal.com, Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp thinks that Ronaldo is the best player in the World:

"The Portuguese attacker notched twice against Bolton Wanderers last night to surpass George Best's record of 32 goals for United in a season. Ronaldo's brace included a stunning free-kick not dissimilar to the one he smashed home against Pompey in a league game earlier this season, and Redknapp is in no doubt that fellow boss Sir Alex Ferguson currently has the best player in the world at his disposal."

“The kid’s a genius...He’s built like the Incredible Hulk with skill like you’ve never seen. He’s a special talent. Kaká is a brilliant player but I wouldn’t swap him for Ronaldo - a wide player who will get you 20-odd goals a season."

Source > 24.03.2008