The United ace is one of five Reds among the 50 nominees for the Ballon d'Or, the most prestigious prize an individual footballer can win, and which will be announced on December 2.
And he is among the favourites after last year inspiring United to the Premier League title and to the semi-finals of the Champions League, and guiding Portugal to the World Cup semi-finals.
The award, which used to be known as European Footballer of the Year until its scope was widened last year, depends on a poll of 96 football writers worldwide.
But AC Milan's Brazilian superstar Kaka has already said that if he had a vote, it would go to his rival, saying: "I would vote for Cristiano as the best in the world.
"It is not just for his quality, but also as he has been able to do so well with Portugal. Lionel Messi is also a great player, but he has not won any titles this year."
Award
The award, presented by the magazine France Football, originated 51 years ago when Stanley Matthews first won it.
Since then, only three United players have lifted it, with George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton all winning it in the 1960s - Best was the last to win it after helping the Reds to glory in the 1968 European Cup final.
The only United players to have come close in the past 38 years were Eric Cantona, who finished third in the 1993 poll, and David Beckham, who came second in 1999.
Illustrious names to have won the title include Johann Cruyff, Marco van Basten and Michel Platini, the only three men to have won it three times, as well as Ronaldinho, Zinedine Zidane, Ruud Gullit, Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller, Eusebio and Alfredo di Stefano.
But Ronaldo is expected to fight it out with Kaka and Barcelona's Argentinian ace Lionel Messi for this year's award, which for the first time gives the vote to 43 journalists from outside Europe.
Among Ronaldo's rivals are four United team-mates, with Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Carlos Tevez all nominated - only Barcelona, who have seven nominees, have more.
Who would you vote for? Have your say. Tweet
Comments
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first it was Gemma Atkinson, now it's the world.... Lee i think you've missed you're chance ! Still, keeps your knees clean !
I think Kaka should win this. He showed in both Champions League semi finals exactly what a top player he is. Ronaldo had a great season too, he came of age, and i think his time will come, but last season Kaka was the man
Kaka was the man in Europe but for the World, Ronaldo takes it. Portugal reached the semi finals of World cup, Man. United reached semi finals of CL, finals of FA Cup, and were champions of England. As for Kaka, AC Milan only won CL and Brazil were terrible in WC so did Argentine & England.
Ronaldo should def win this award, kaka is a great player also but ronaldo only failed to perform in two games against milan but carried his performances all season bar the semi, where kaka only had to concentrate on the champions league.
Ronaldo would probably be second or third. The way Kaka overshadowed him in last year's CL semi-finals is hard to ignore. Having said that, Cristiano was brilliant for us in the Prem so if by some stroke of luck, he does win it, then it won't be undeserved..
Much as he had a great season, the way he was overshadowed by Kaka in the Champions League legs will most likely stick in most people's minds. Hopefully though, he is going to contend this prize for many years to come, so I imagine he'll win it at some point. Just not this year I'm afraid.
I have a slightly biased view i'll admit that i want to Ronaldo win it but i do take in to account that Kaka is a great player I don't watch seria A i wouldn't want to but from what i heard Kake was far from great 5 or six goals in seria A i think.Top scorer in the Champions leauge yes 5 or six were penalties He scored againts 3 againts United againts one of the worst make shift back four i have ever seen.Watched the final to see Liverpool get beat and Gerards face after they got beat. He wasn't great. His perfromances for Brazil i can't really comment on but i would be very suprised if they were better than Ronaldo's for Portugal who is still Captain.The fact that really gets me is how everyone goes on about how great Kaka was in the Champions Leauge is the fact is Ac Milan shouldn't have been in the competition.They were banned and should have stayed banned.
The argument is that Ronaldo was overshadowed in the CL semi by a fresh and rested Kaka who destroyed our completely makeshift back four. In defence of Ronaldo he played throughout the whole of last season and for a period between December and March carried the team to victories they barely deserved. He had the most impact on a season individually since Cantona even if he ran out of steam at the end of April. He scored the goal that won the league at City fittingly after being assaulted. Also Kaka has done little in his own domestic league and nothing Internationally whilst Ronaldo is Portugals diving force and has been outstanding for them all year. For me its no contest. Kaka is brilliant and Brasillian. I dont expect Ronaldo to win it but I would expect him to get the vote of all United fans. Of course there is less chance of that happening.
For the season in question, Ronaldo.
I would have said Wayne Rooney, but injuries, I think have marred his chances.
Best player in the world, taking into account more than one season, then without a doubt Ryan Giggs.
Lee I completely agree with you and think Ronaldo had a better season than Kaka, and is more deserving of this accolade. Problem is, will those with a vote? I just feel that there is a sense of the inevitable about who is going to get this, but I think it would be very hard to criticize if Ronnie won it - he'd an incredible season (I'm hoping this one will be even better though!).
Its defently between Ronny and Messi i think kaka is a quality act but he dont do it week in week out in the Italian League like Ronaldo and Messi do. I think Ronaldo will just edge it.
interesting comments here...
all i can say is that there isnt a "best player".. there is no one man who could be named as most useful.. i'm sure everyone's heard the old saying "defence is the best form of attack" o9r whatever the saying is... well how come rio and vida havnt been nominated?? this award should be named "best attacking football player in the world"...
oh yea and this is slightly biased but ronnie should win this for his consistency, and maturity over the last two years - he thoroughly deserves it he has achieved so much more individually than any other footballer in the world
Kaka will probably win, followed by Messi with Ronaldo in 3rd but IMO Ronaldo should win it EASILY!
Messi was injured most of last season and hardly inspired Argentina.
Kaka was good in only one competition. Finished CL top scorer and won it of course but wasnt great for Brazil and AC Milan finished 8th and are currently in the bottom half of Serie A!
Ronaldo took us to the CL semis and FA Cup final as well as winning the league(which neither of the two above did). Not only that, hes been outstanding for Portugal. I think in the past year, his goals ratio is BETTER then 1 every 2 games.
Not only has he had a far better year, I think he is more complete. I think in terms of dribbling,shooting,heading and defending (all round play), I dont think there is a more complete player.
Messi and Kaka are clearly great players, but if we are talking about world player of the YEAR then unquestionably Ronaldo is number 1!
Balders I've said it before Gemma Atkinson is nothing special & Ronaldo is well rid. IMO he is the best player in the world on his day but of course that doesn't mean he'll win despite his form for club & country in the last year. It said it all for me when Frank Lumpard came 2nd one year ie who are your agents & sponsors.
Little Red Devil, Would of payed alot of money to see your face after Istanbul! Bet you were in the pub laughin it up at half time! Ooops, look what happened next! Bet that sobered you up
Never mind that, would of loved to have seen your face after San Siro shambles last year! At least we got to Athens
Si 4 Kop, just go away. This is a site for Utd supporters. Youre not one of them. Off you go, go on, good lad
OohAhh I agree with that sentiment. These things are usually a formality. Lee has made a good case for Ronaldo winning but you get the feeling that this thing is done and dusted right from the off, and as such i think Kaka is a certainty
Little Red Devil... I am with you on this one for me AC were found guilty and docked points should not have been in the competition, nor should Italy be allowed to compete in any competition until they get there act together regarding soccer violence. That said kaka is a great player but total disappointment if he gets the nod over CR's achievements just because he looked better over 2 games! CR did it for club and country consistantly.
What on earth is a Liverpool fan doing on here? I can kind of understand Bitters being on here, but Scousers too??? Shouldn't they be doing something more productive with their time, like finding a job or getting an education?
Si 4 Kop Runcorn - A sad Liverpool fan who comes on Manchester United boards what are you doing? come to admire the Champions of England!I would love te see your face when Liverpool win the Premiership something i'm going to be waiting a very long time for.
For some reason, United players never get their due credit in these awards. For example, the last United player even in the running for European Footballer of the Year was Becks in 1999 and he only came second despite the three medals he picked up that year!
Eric came third in 1993 and you have to go back nearly 40 years for the last United player to win the thing - George Best of course in 1968, Bobby Charlton won it in 1966 and Denis Law in 1964. In fact, the only English club player to have won it since 1968 is Michael Owen in 2001 - quite why, I have no idea.
When you think of the success of English football generally in Europe in the last 40 years, you have to ask why English club players have been ignored for that award. And when you think of United's success under Fergie and some of the great players we've had, again you've got to ask the question. For Keano, Scholes, Schmeichel and Giggs to never have featured is nothing short of disgraceful.
The World Award is worse as far as English and specifically United players are concerned. Although completely dominated by players at European Clubs, no English club player has ever won it and Becks came second twice while playing for us. Again, no recognition whatsoever for other great United players of the last 15 years.
Long and the short of this long-winded comment is that I won't hold my breath for Ronaldo getting the recognition that he clearly deserves for his performances for both United and Portugal.
At least we got to Athens- blah blah ! Did you win anything though mate? NO!!!
Go away silly boy.
2008 could be the year for Ronaldo.He's more composed and takes his scoring chances like he means it now.UNITED have improved and I think if they feature in the Champions League final that will raise his profile.Kaka and Messi are terrific players and Ronaldo has to become the man;the one who turns the game against the cream of Europe.
The quality of UNITED's squad and his own dedication will one day see him take it. 2008 for me.WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!
Hope from them to take into account that AC have been docked points, wish Ronaldo all the best,really i want him to win this accolade.
abdullrahman from Yemen,
Ronaldo deserves to be world footballer of the year. he has brought a new style into our football game which is very exciting to me n the world. HE HAS CHANGED THE GAME N MADE IT BETTER
Little Red Devil - Agree with you AC Milan arguably shouldn't have been in the competition last season so Ronnie SHOULD win this award.
When the short-list of nominated players came out I was quite appalled by some of their choices, Lilian Thuram? Rafa Marquez? But NO Ferdinand, Totti or Vidic?Appalling.
Justin the Great - I here you in that the defenders are hardly ever recognised for this award EXCEPT for last year when Fabio Cannavaro won it. But he was the first defender to win it for AGES.
Agree with you too Lee,
Cristiano Ronaldo IS THE WORLD'S BEST PLAYER, NO DOUBT.