Is Ronaldo the best in the world?

[Pike B]

I do remember Zidane obviously, but I don't think he ever had as much influence in a game. His technique and control are probably better than Ronaldo, but I'd take Ronaldo anyday. He's been toying with every defence in Europe this season.

Oh man, I don't know how to respond to that... Crazy talk..

[Closed Account 2]

I do remember Zidane obviously, but I don't think he ever had as much influence in a game...

Watch France v Brazil from last world cup.

[Pike B]

Kuyt hasn't been selected in the last two Dutch squads.

And rightly so. He is so average. I can't wait until Benitez wakes up and flogs him to Roda Jc or some other Mickey Mouse team.. Everton maybe

[Pike B]

Watch France v Brazil from last world cup.

Thank you, I was in shock there and couldn't think straight. Really can't believe this guy. 24 and he doesn't remember Zizou influencing a game??? Nuts...

[jmurphyc]

I do remember Zidane obviously, but I don't think he ever had as much influence in a game. His technique and control are probably better than Ronaldo, but I'd take Ronaldo anyday. He's been toying with every defence in Europe this season.

As I said before I think Zidane is overrated, but to say he never had any influence on a game and to say that he "probably" has more technique and control than Ronaldo is ludicrous. Ronaldo is still young and in 5 years time may improve that side to his game and be as good as Zidane, but technique and control are two of the things that made Zidane be rated as such a great player. It's one thing that I won't knock him for. Would Ronaldo be capable of scoring a goal like Zidane did against Leverkussen? From what I've seen of Ronaldo I very much doubt it.

[Pike B]

As I said before I think Zidane is overrated, but to say he never had any influence on a game and to say that he "probably" has more technique and control than Ronaldo is ludicrous. Ronaldo is still young and in 5 years time may improve that side to his game and be as good as Zidane, but technique and control are two of the things that made Zidane be rated as such a great player. It's one thing that I won't knock him for. Would Ronaldo be capable of scoring a goal like Zidane did against Leverkussen? From what I've seen of Ronaldo I very much doubt it.

And you still think Zizou is over rated?? Have a good think bud, then say it. Go back a page or two to what I wrote about his achievements.. Come on, he's a legend.. We all make mistakes....

[jmurphyc]

And you still think Zizou is over rated?? Have a good think bud, then say it. Go back a page or two to what I wrote about his achievements.. Come on, he's a legend.. We all make mistakes....

There is no way I'm backing down on this because a few people on a football forum think I'm mad. I've held this view for a long, long time and I've seen nothing since that has made me change my mind. In the 2006 World Cup he was excellent but IMO France's World Cup win in 1998 could easily have been achieved without him. He missed quite a few games in that tournament and their success was built on a world class back line and not to do with any individual's attacking flair.

[Pike B]

There is no way I'm backing down on this because a few people on a football forum think I'm mad. I've held this view for a long, long time and I've seen nothing since that has made me change my mind. In the 2006 World Cup he was excellent but IMO France's World Cup win in 1998 could easily have been achieved without him. He missed quite a few games in that tournament and their success was built on a world class back line and not to do with any individual's attacking flair.

Great team France 98, for sure. Full of legends. But in the Final who rose (literally) above the rest??

[shedite]

As I said before I think Zidane is overrated, but to say he never had any influence on a game and to say that he "probably" has more technique and control than Ronaldo is ludicrous. Ronaldo is still young and in 5 years time may improve that side to his game and be as good as Zidane, but technique and control are two of the things that made Zidane be rated as such a great player. It's one thing that I won't knock him for. Would Ronaldo be capable of scoring a goal like Zidane did against Leverkussen? From what I've seen of Ronaldo I very much doubt it.

Okay, read my quote pal, I cleary did not write that.

And yes I did watch the Brazil France game and he was supurb. I also watched the other France games from that world cup tho!

My point is that Ronaldo has done it against everyone from Derby to Roma this season. Every game he seems to be up for and playing out of his skin. I don't think anybody (including Zidane) has ever had a more consistently fantastic season. If you put him in the Chelsea/Liverpool/Arsenal team this season I reckon they would be top of the table.

[jmurphyc]

And yes I did watch the Brazil France game and he was supurb. I also watched the other France games from that world cup tho!

I never mentioned the Brazil game. That was someone else. I was the first person to have a go at Zidane so we're kind of in the same boat.

My point is that Ronaldo has done it against everyone from Derby to Roma this season. Every game he seems to be up for and playing out of his skin. I don't think anybody (including Zidane) has ever had a more consistently fantastic season. If you put him in the Chelsea/Liverpool/Arsenal team this season I reckon they would be top of the table.

Whilst Ronaldo has been excellent this season for him to prove himself as the best player in the world (at the moment) he would need to produce a quality match winning performance either in the CL final (or possibly the semis) or in the final/semis of the European Championships.

[Pike B]

I never mentioned the Brazil game. That was someone else. I was the first person to have a go at Zidane so we're kind of in the same boat.



Whilst Ronaldo has been excellent this season for him to prove himself as the best player in the world (at the moment) he would need to produce a quality match winning performance either in the CL final (or possibly the semis) or in the final/semis of the European Championships.

At last we agree on something!! He needs to do it in the Barcelona semi and in the Final if United get there. In the biggest games Christiano Ronaldo has played in so far (World Cup Semi Vs France(2006), Champions League Semi 1 and 2 Vs Ac Milan(2007) and in the Fa Cup Final Vs Chelsea(2007) he has been a bit part player. If he is to become a true great ( like Zidane ) then he needs to be brilliant and influential in the Biggest games. We've already seen Henry and Ronaldinho fail this test. How will Ronaldo do?? Time will tell...

[jebus]

Well it's between Messi, Kaka and Ronaldo at the moment, personally I think if had all three playing injury free than it goes Kaka, Messi and then Ronaldo. This season Ronaldo has been the best, largely because he's been the one to stay injury free (anyone remember the start of the season when he was playing rather badly by the way?)

Anyone who doesn't rate Zidane knows very little about football I feel as well

[jmurphyc]

Anyone who doesn't rate Zidane knows very little about football I feel as well

Oh FFS I'm not saying he's s**t or I don't rate him. I just think that he's overrated by people who are talking about all time legends. Yes, he kind of carried the France team to the final in the last World Cup, but Real Madrid proved that they could win Champions Leagues without him, he was by no means one of Juve's most influential figures on their path to the final in '97 and '98 and IMO France would still have won the World Cup in 1998. As I said before, they won it due to a world class and excellently organised defence.

[jebus]

I don't recall directing my comment at you in particular, in fact if you do rate Zidane then it shouldn't have bothered you at all

[jmurphyc]

I don't recall directing my comment at you in particular, in fact if you do rate Zidane then it shouldn't have bothered you at all

Okay. I guess I'm just getting a little worked up with the criticism I'm getting. Anytime I mention this to most people they immediately start having a go so I always think the abuse is directed at me.

[Pike B]

Oh FFS I'm not saying he's s**t or I don't rate him. I just think that he's overrated by people who are talking about all time legends. Yes, he kind of carried the France team to the final in the last World Cup, but Real Madrid proved that they could win Champions Leagues without him, he was by no means one of Juve's most influential figures on their path to the final in '97 and '98 and IMO France would still have won the World Cup in 1998. As I said before, they won it due to a world class and excellently organised defence.

Real Madrid won it because of him bud.
Not a central figure at Juve?? Rubbish.
And in 98 as good as France were, in the Final, Zidane stepped up and showed what the best always show, TESTICULAR FORTITUDE..
Cometh the hour Cometh the man stuff...
You just proved to me in one post that your opinion is not worth a damn...
Sorry bud, but you are talking utter nonsense..

[jmurphyc]

Real Madrid won it because of him bud.
Not a central figure at Juve?? Rubbish.
And in 98 as good as France were, in the Final, Zidane stepped up and showed what the best always show, TESTICULAR FORTITUDE..
Cometh the hour Cometh the man stuff...
You just proved to me in one post that your opinion is not worth a damn...
Sorry bud, but you are talking utter nonsense..

I have? Really? I thought I outlined perfectly good reasons as to why he's not a true great. He was definitely a big game player of course. I think that's one of the main reasons why he's so highly rated. However, there were a few other players who were more important to Juventus, for example. For Juventus, Del Piero was the main player during Zidane's time at the club. When Del Piero got injured during the 98/99 season they finished 7th I believe and for the first time since 1994 they didn't make it to a Champions League Final.

During the '98 World Cup Zidane missed 3 games I believe. France didn't need him during those to get games due to their solid defensive platform. Their star player during that tournament certainly wasn't Zidane IMO (although I can't remember which of their defensive players stood out the most seeing as it was so long ago).

Another example is when France played us a few years ago at LR. From what I can recall of that game he played very well and he was certainly France's "heartbeat", but one thing that really ****ed me off was that our players were giving him far too much respect and were constantly standing off him. The man's reputation outweighs his ability. I'm starting to get sick of this argument but I just can't accept people telling me I know **** all about football. My ego just won't let it go.

[Pike B]

I have? Really? I thought I outlined perfectly good reasons as to why he's not a true great. He was definitely a big game player of course. I think that's one of the main reasons why he's so highly rated. However, there were a few other players who were more important to Juventus, for example. For Juventus, Del Piero was the main player during Zidane's time at the club. When Del Piero got injured during the 98/99 season they finished 7th I believe and for the first time since 1994 they didn't make it to a Champions League Final.

During the '98 World Cup Zidane missed 3 games I believe. France didn't need him during those to get games due to their solid defensive platform. Their star player during that tournament certainly wasn't Zidane IMO (although I can't remember which of their defensive players stood out the most seeing as it was so long ago).

Another example is when France played us a few years ago at LR. From what I can recall of that game he played very well and he was certainly France's "heartbeat", but one thing that really ****ed me off was that our players were giving him far too much respect and were constantly standing off him. The man's reputation outweighs his ability. I'm starting to get sick of this argument but I just can't accept people telling me I know **** all about football. My ego just won't let it go.

Let's end this man.
My top 5 players in our lifetime (1990-2008) As 1990 is the year my earliest memories are from.
5:Kaka
4:Rivaldo
3:Maldini
2:Thuram
1:Zidane
List yours if you wish, and we'll let this arguement die.. I say Zidane is the best I've ever seen and say no more..

[jmurphyc]

Let's end this man.
My top 5 players in our lifetime (1990-2008) As 1990 is the year my earliest memories are from.
5:Kaka
4:Rivaldo
3:Maldini
2:Thuram
1:Zidane
List yours if you wish, and we'll let this arguement die.. I say Zidane is the best I've ever seen and say no more..

I can't really be bothered to think up of my 5 favourite players. I'd probably leave a few out that I would rank up there. Let's just move this back to whether the Ronaldo debate...

I personally think Ronaldo is s**t and the rest of the Utd team carries him.

[Pike B]

I can't really be bothered to think up of my 5 favourite players. I'd probably leave a few out that I would rank up there. Let's just move this back to whether the Ronaldo debate...

I personally think Ronaldo is s**t and the rest of the Utd team carries him.

Agreed!!!!! Scholes is better anyway, and John O' Shea!!!!!