Is Ronaldo the best in the world?

**Denis The Red** · 04/04/2008, 2:21 PM

I have to say in spite of Brady & Souness nit-picking Ronaldo's "arrogance", he is, at this moment, the best player in the word.
Every talented player shows some arrogance at some time (and even some untalented ones). It's healthy and Ronaldo has the ability to back it up.
Rooney worked his socks off against Roma on Tuesday and is a world class player and you probably wouldn't get Ronaldo tracking back as often as you would like, perhaps not at all, but with 36 goals this season and his sheer peerless talent with a football I don't see any one to touch him at the moment.
People question his all round contribution to the team, I say 36 goals is contribution enough.

**superfrank** · 04/04/2008, 2:35 PM

Arrogance? He's the best player in the Premiership. He's entitled to it.

I detest Man U but I grudgingly accept that Ronaldo is the best player in the Premiership at the moment. For a winger to be top-scorer in the league is incredible, especially when he's competing against top class strikers like Adebayor, Torres and Drogba for the title. He is a great creative force and, luckily for Man U, he's the kind of player that kind win you a game when the team's playing crap.

He does have off days, like all footballers, and it's because of the hig standards he's set himself that we all notice it. He is a pure footballer. All about the ball at his feet. His ability is unquestionable and he is certainly realising his potential. I remember in the 2003/04 and 2004/05 seasons when more often than not he would do some fancy trickery but fail to deliver a decent final ball. That's changed now and he's all the better for it.

He may have questionable attitude at times but I know I'd want him in my team for his ability alone.

I say best in the Premiership as I don't watch Spanish or Italian football so can't compare him with the likes of Kaka, Messi and Ronaldinho. But if Barca face Man U in the CL semis we'll see who plays the better in that particular battle.

**Dodge** · 04/04/2008, 3:01 PM

For me Messi is the best.

Nice to have both of them to watch

**gustavo** · 04/04/2008, 3:02 PM

On current form I'd say C Ronaldo is probably the best , not sure about best overall but he certainly would be in the shortlist , he had a great season last season an even better one this season , I hope that Messi makes it back in time for the likely Barca /Manchester game

**anto1208** · 04/04/2008, 3:59 PM

I dont find him arrogant in fact i think lately he is just about football the fact he didnt go to that infamous UTD xmas party shows that he is learning a bit of cop on.

**shedite** · 04/04/2008, 4:03 PM

I'm 24 years old and I have never seen a player in better form than he is right now. He's unstoppable, can do it all, no fitness worries. I can see him doing European and League doube with Utd this season, and wouldn't bet against him winning Euro 2008 with Portugal. Maybe even golden boot at that too sure.

Yes, he's the best in the world right now, and from what I've seen, the past 15 years too.

**Cymro** · 04/04/2008, 4:13 PM

Right now I'd say he's probably the best player in the world. But form is a fickle thing. Three years or so ago, I'd have put Ronaldinho at the same level as Ronaldo is now, but he's way off that today.

Time will tell whether he becomes an all-time great like Best, who he's being compared to, or simply a player who was once very good but failed to maintain standards over the course of his career.

**feo123** · 04/04/2008, 4:30 PM

i think he is the best in the world. a right winger to score as many goals as he has with still around 10 games left (if they go all the way in champions league) is remarkable. one thing he has been lucky with is injuries, hes never really been out for a period of time. messi's missed a bit. never watch serie A with the risk of boredom too high so don't know what kaka has been like this year

**TheBoss** · 04/04/2008, 4:54 PM

I do not believe in 'Best in the World', they can not be 1 player from about thousands of players that is best of the all. It is a difficult thing to say cause every player is different and offers the team different options, yes Ronaldo scores goals, sets them up, retains possession very well, but what about players who stop goals, set up attacks, lead the team in hard situations.

Also the term World Class is used too much, I believe a World Class player can only be called World Class, when he retires, A player for me has to be preforming at the highest possible level for a prolonged period of time to be called World Class. A top player that is doing well for a short period, I would call them a great player.

**Pike B** · 04/04/2008, 7:06 PM

I am Liverpool fan so this hurts, yes he is the best in the World right now, on form, but in terms of ability yet to be fulfilled Messi is the one.. Ronaldo world player of the year this year, Messi the next 5!! That'll do..

**Pike B** · 04/04/2008, 7:11 PM

Originally Posted by shedite

I'm 24 years old and I have never seen a player in better form than he is right now. He's unstoppable, can do it all, no fitness worries. I can see him doing European and League doube with Utd this season, and wouldn't bet against him winning Euro 2008 with Portugal. Maybe even golden boot at that too sure.

Yes, he's the best in the world right now, and from what I've seen, the past 15 years too.

Are you serious?? you are 24, more than old enough to remember one Zinedine Zidane. Ronaldo is good, great even, but Zizou is up there with Puskas, Pele, Cruyff, and Maradona as the greatest ever. Ronaldo may yet join them, but I think Messi is more likely to..

**jmurphyc** · 04/04/2008, 8:08 PM

IMO Ronaldo is close but I still think Kaka and Messi are better than him. I personally think that Nani could be an all round better player (probably minus the goals) from what I've seen of him. As for Zidane, I always thought he was incredibly overrated. He was one of the best of his generation, but even though I haven't seen a great deal of great players from the past, I find it hard to believe that he is as good as the likes of Pele, Maradona, Di Stefano et al.

**Pike B** · 04/04/2008, 8:36 PM

What are you possibly basing that on man? Zidane's control, and first touch, were incredible, the best I ever saw, not to mention the fact that he NEVER lost the ball!! (Watch any game, he was almost never dispossesed) he scored penalties, free kicks , headers, left and right foot finishes, won the World Cup, Euro Championships, Champions league, three World Player of the year awards, The Ballon D' Or, the Italian and Spanish League titles and is one of only three players (Pele being another,) to score in two World Cup Finals. He scored the greatest ever goal in a Champions League final and was beyond anything I've ever seen in my life as a player. I am 26. Pele and Maradona have both called him the greatest player of his generation, and he is a GOD in France. The truly great players do it on the biggest possible stage. What did Henry and Ronaldinho do in the Champions league final a few years ago?? Nothing.. When France and his clubs needed him, Zizou delivered. The mark of a true great. The World cup thing with Materazzi was a minor blot on an amazing career. Football is worse for his being gone..
Ronaldo has mount everest of achievement in front of him to be anywhere near Zizou. And I won't hear anyone tell me otherwise.

**jmurphyc** · 05/04/2008, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by Pike B

What are you possibly basing that on man? Zidane's control, and first touch, were incredible, the best I ever saw, not to mention the fact that he NEVER lost the ball!! (Watch any game, he was almost never dispossesed) he scored penalties, free kicks , headers, left and right foot finishes, won the World Cup, Euro Championships, Champions league, three World Player of the year awards, The Ballon D' Or, the Italian and Spanish League titles and is one of only three players (Pele being another,) to score in two World Cup Finals. He scored the greatest ever goal in a Champions League final and was beyond anything I've ever seen in my life as a player. I am 26. Pele and Maradona have both called him the greatest player of his generation, and he is a GOD in France. The truly great players do it on the biggest possible stage. What did Henry and Ronaldinho do in the Champions league final a few years ago?? Nothing.. When France and his clubs needed him, Zizou delivered. The mark of a true great. The World cup thing with Materazzi was a minor blot on an amazing career. Football is worse for his being gone..
Ronaldo has mount everest of achievement in front of him to be anywhere near Zizou. And I won't hear anyone tell me otherwise.

I never said that Cristiano Ronaldo was as good as Zidane. However, it's just my opinion that he's overrated as a player. I don't think he's one of the all time true greats. He was one of the best of his generation, but not of all time. I've held this opinion for a long time and it had nothing to do with his antics in the 2006 final. As I said, it's just my opinion and you're entitled to yours.

**mypost** · 05/04/2008, 12:32 AM

Originally Posted by Pike B

I am Liverpool fan so this hurts, yes he is the best in the World right now, on form

Best in the world of English football maybe, in the world at large, you're having a

What about the keepers, defenders, midfielders, or are the best players, always goalscorers??

**tetsujin1979** · 05/04/2008, 1:15 AM

I think that this season, yes Ronaldo is the best in the world. I still think that Kaka is a better player, but I reckon that without Ronaldo this season, Man United wouldn't be having the season they are. By comparison without Kaka, Milan would be pretty much in the same position they are at the moment.

**jmurphyc** · 05/04/2008, 1:19 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

I think that this season, yes Ronaldo is the best in the world. I still think that Kaka is a better player, but I reckon that without Ronaldo this season, Man United wouldn't be having the season they are. By comparison without Kaka, Milan would be pretty much in the same position they are at the moment.

True. At times Ronaldo has carried Man Utd this season. Before he started going on a scoring rampage last season they were struggling to get second in seasons before, but now they seem to be easily dominating the league.

**Billy Lord** · 05/04/2008, 1:34 AM

This is merely a rehash of a previous 'Isn't Ronaldo great' thread. As I said before, Ronaldo isn't even the best player at Manchester United. Scholes, Rooney, Vidic and Ferdinand are all more impressive. Ronaldo's been a great goalscorer this season (a feat that should not be underrated but kept in perspective). Otherwise he's just a Michael Jackson clone with studs and silly socks who drifts in and out of games. And I hate his hands in the air attitude when the ball doesn't come directly to his feet.
If you're great, act great - it demands a degree of humility. Petulance isn't a virtue.

**Rovers fan** · 05/04/2008, 11:38 AM

I honestly think rooney is a better player,without him united don't tick.I think they can cope without ronaldo and rooney would probably be even better. United's defense hasn't got enough praise this year either.