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?

*

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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Luke Young: I faced the world's best: Cristiano Ronaldo

Middlesborough's Luke Young talked about facing Cristiano Ronaldo after their 2-2 draw with United:

"He is head and shoulders above anyone else. He's quick, strong, had a good touch, can go inside and outside, and has the ability to lose you and pull away into a yard of space. There's no-one like him."

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Sammy McIlroy: Ronaldo best today but not better than Best

"Sammy McIlroy has hailed Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo as 'the greatest player in the world'..But the ex-Old Trafford star insists Ronaldo will never be as good as his former Northern Ireland team-mate George Best."

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Emaad Shehzaad: Could United do without Ronaldo?

"Ronaldo’s 37 goals are the maximum scored by a winger in a single season surpassing George Best’s record. All this makes Ronaldo, undoubtedly, the best player in the world. If we take out Ronaldo’s goals this season, Manchester United have either drawn or lost on a number of occasions."

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Eriksson: The Best Player in the World makes United favourites

"Sven Goran Eriksson certainly knows where his money is going – 'If I was putting £10, it would be on United,' he said after watching a Richard Dunne own goal and a Salomon Kalou strike help Chelsea cruise to victory despite them resting Ricardo Carvalho, Claude Makelele and Didier Drogba. The presence of Cristiano Ronaldo – 'the best player in the world' as Eriksson described him – has as much to do with it as their points advantage, Eriksson believes."

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Kanu: Cristiano Ronaldo not the best yet

"I think I am one of those who believe Ronaldo has all it takes...But it is hard to say he is the best. Luckily for him, his club is doing well in the Premiership and the UEFA Champions League. Then if he has a good tournament at Euro 2008, then he could beat everybody to it."

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TimesOnline: It is becoming impossible to ignore Ronaldo’s claim

"Sometimes the obvious batters you over the head. Cristiano Ronaldo is making the rest of the game concussed...It is becoming impossible to ignore Ronaldo’s claim to be the definitive answer to football’s favourite pub question."

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Craig Foster: No Question Now About Ronaldo's Worth

"It took a mere second for the run, leap and gorgeous header to catapult United into the lead over Roma during the week, and subsequently most likely into the UEFA Champions League semi-finals at least. But this, Cristiano Ronaldo's 36th goal of the season and seventh in the UCL carried much greater import as it secured for the Portuguese superstar the title of best player in the world.

There can be no question now about his worth, particularly given the fate of the other leading contenders. Kaka's team is out of the UCL and suffering under the weight of a poor domestic campaign, and Lionel Messi is injured and out of mind."

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Sporting Lisbon president Filipe Soares Franco: Cristiano Ronaldo has become No1 by being at Manchester United

"Sporting Lisbon president Filipe Soares Franco says Cristiano Ronaldo is now unrecognisable to the player he sold to Manchester United in 2003.

'I am unable to recognise the Cristiano Ronaldo who left Sporting. Sporting is good at development, but he has responded to playing for Manchester United...I watched the game with Roma and, for me, Manchester, which had eleven on the field, now have eight of the best players in the world...Cristiano Ronaldo has become No1 by being at Manchester United, playing in the best league in the world and by playing every year in the Champions League.' "

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Stewart Downing believes Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world

"Stewart Downing believes Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world - but says Middlesbrough will have no fear when they host Manchester United.

Ronaldo has scored 36 goals so far this season and this week answered the critics who have accused him of going missing in the big games by opening the scoring against Roma in the UEFA Champions League.

But while England winger Downing admits he cannot name a better player in world football, he says Boro have nothing to fear when United head to the Riverside Stadium on Sunday.

'He has set a new level...He is that good...Last season, Ronaldo was probably the best player in the Premier League. This year, no one even gets close...If he doesn't win world player of the year, I'd love to know who is better.' "

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CNN.com: difficult to make a convincing case for anyone else but Cristiano Ronaldo

"Is Cristiano Ronaldo now the world's best footballer? It is becoming increasingly difficult to make a convincing case for anyone else."

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Pepe: Ronaldo the best in the world right now

"Real Madrid defender Pepe insist that he is back to full fitness ahead of this weekend’s match with Mallorca, while adding his voice to those claiming Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world.

'He (Ronaldo) is mentally and physically strong, he’s an important player for his club. And he scores a lot, and that’s why I believe he’s the best in the world right now. Madrid going for him? There are a ton of signings reported every day, but we have a good squad and it’s up to the club to decide once the season ends.' ”

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Messi: Ronaldinho Remains the Best Player in the World

"What cannot be in dispute is that he (Ronaldinho) remains the best player in the world. He has given much to Barcelona and it is a lack of respect to be so critical."

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Even Johan Cruyff says Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world

"I still have reservations about the way he plays. There’s a theme-park light-show quality to it, like so many stuttering lasers have been layered across the ceiling that you can barely pick out the Pink Floyd song underneath. But it’s hard to fault a player for being all flash when he’s clearly the difference between his team being an accomplished side with a few pieces missing and their being, on a good day, the strongest team in football. Even Johan Cruyff says he’s the best player in the world."

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La Gazzetta dello Sport: Too Much Ronaldo

"Italy's top sports daily gave the player eight out of 10 for his performance and said he already had this year's Ballon d'Or award in the bag."

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Graham Lister: No one better than Ronaldo

"Meanwhile, Kaka has struggled to deliver this season, not only in Serie A where Milan have endured a difficult time, but also in the Champions League. In the two games against Arsenal, the Brazilian star was effectively eclipsed, or at least marginalised, by the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini.In contrast, Ronaldo has consistently stood up to be counted - and then delivered - whenever United have needed him to this season. Like him or loathe him, right now there is not a better player in the world than Cristiano Ronaldo. So perhaps it's time to throw our hands up and admit it. And perhaps it's time for the polls outside of England to reflect it."

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Richard Arrowsmith Votes for Ronaldo but Dubs Him Arrogant

"There can't be any doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the best player in the world and possibly the best player in Man United's history - his 35 goals this season have carried United to the top of the Premier League and within touching distance of another European Cup semi-final.
The only problem with taking your game to a higher level than anyone can reach is that you can feel disappointed by the 'mere mortals' playing around you. While Ronaldo has been breaking scoring records this season, his number of assists has fallen dramatically - suggesting a selfishness and lack of trust in his teammates.

And, there have been points this season where Ronaldo has looked on in disgust with hands on hips when passes don't come directly where he wants them - not unlike another player who raised his game to an unreachable level, a certain Thierry Henry.

Could Ronaldo be in danger of letting arrogance overwhelm those around him?"

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Ravi Uhba picks Ronaldo before Torres, Kaka, Messi

"When it comes to players around the globe, he's currently head and shoulders above A.C. Milan midfielder Kaka and Barcelona winger Lionel Messi, who's been hampered by injuries lately.

'He's 6-foot-2, brave as a lion, strong as an ox, quick as lightning,' summed up Paul Jewell, manager of strugglers Derby. 'You can't man mark him because he starts up front, drifts wide, then comes into the hole.' "

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Stresster Refers to Cristiano Ronaldo as The Best Player in the World

"Their star player Cristiano Ronaldo is never one to be short of confidence, with the Daily Mail reporting that the best player in the world now believes that the giant trophy is within their reach. The Portuguese superstar headed in the opening goal for United, before Wayne Rooney made it two, and confidence is now sky-high within the camp."

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Doug Gratton's Votes for Best Player in the World

"Just to compound my misery United are currently in sublime form and in Cristiano Ronaldo apparently have the best player in the history of the game, EVER! According to the ever neutral and impartial Clive Tyldesley, at least. Incredibly ITV have also commissioned a programme entitled Cristiano Ronaldo: The Story So Far. The story so far?! He's only 23, for crissakes! What the hell will they cover? I presume it'll be a brief show (similar to the one he put in against City at Old Trafford recently); one assumes the lurid tabloid tales will be glossed over, in much the same way as his hair. He may well be the best player in the world (well, after Lionel Messi. And Kaka, of course) but he'll always be a thin Pat Butcher lookalike to me."

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Svengali thinks Ronaldo is most complete player

"I have been loathe to like Cristiano Ronaldo, especially after he tormented England out of the last World Cup. It took the best football coach in the world, Sir Alex Fergusson to keep him at Manchester United, and ever since, Ronaldo has gone from strength to strength and, from despised to loved to over-awed. He has been knocking on the door of the best player in the world title for most of this year. After last night’s game against Roma, I have to say it, he probably is. Nobody right now in world football is a more complete player."

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Schuster rates Ronaldo a 10 out of 10

"Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has hailed the qualities of Cristiano Ronaldo and hopes his club can sign him 'in a few years'.

With the Portugal international having a long-term contract at Old Trafford and rated by many as the best player in the world at present, Schuster is under no illusions about his club's chances of landing the 23-year-old anytime soon.

'In these types of things it is best to be realistic. Cristiano Ronaldo right now is a 10 out of 10, the best in the world...But I don't see Manchester United as being in the business of selling.' "

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Van Nistelrooy thinks Ronaldo will be best

Former United Striker, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, now of Real Madrid, thinks that Ronaldo can be The Best Player in the World:

"The Holland striker believes that Ronaldo is in the same bracket as Kaká, the AC Milan superstar, and Lionel Messi, the Barcelona wunderkind. 'If he carries on like this he'll be the best player in the world...He's got everything.' ”

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Ronaldo in The News

Babajide Kolade-Otitoju writes:

"Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo propels his club to the top of the English Premiership and European Champions league quarter-finals with his record-breaking scoring form."

This equals one vote for Ronaldo but The News case refers to numerous sources to make its point.

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