Eusebio tips Ronaldo for gong

September 29, 2008

Cristiano Ronaldo

PORTUGUESE legend Eusebio is certain Cristiano Ronaldo will scoop the FIFA world player of the year prize in December.

Ronaldo is expected to start his first Champions League game since last May's final triumph over Chelsea in Moscow on Tuesday when United tackle Danish minnows Aalborg looking to record their first win of the current campaign.

The 23-year-old has only just returned from ankle surgery but already he has shot to the top of United's goalscoring charts, netting against Middlesbrough before taking advantage of Rob Styles' generosity by converting the Red Devils' controversial penalty in Saturday's win over Bolton at Old Trafford.

And Eusebio believes his fellow countryman is nailed on to be crowned world number one later in the year.

"Officially, the best player is Kaka," Eusebio told www.uefa.com.

"However, I believe today that Cristiano is the best without any doubt.

"I have always said that he has everything it takes to become the best player in the world."

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Ronaldo has shown no lingering effects from his tumultuous summer, which saw him not only perform disappointingly for Portugal at Euro 2008 and then go under the knife but also become embroiled in a lengthy transfer saga with Real Madrid before, as Eusebio expected, deciding to stay with United.

Now he is a global icon, Ronaldo may find it difficult to keep his feet on the ground.

However, providing he heeds Eusebio's advice to "keep his head in the right place" it appears there is no limit to his talent.

"I always believed that he would stay in Manchester," said Eusebio.

"Depending on his condition and whether his head is in the right place, I think he can get better, because with every year that passes he will gain experience and he'll know how to improve on the pitch.

"He must not forget that he will have to work a lot in terms of pace and ball control, and he is actually good in this respect.

"Therefore, the advice I always give him is that he needs to keep forging ahead in a straight line. Then he will definitely go a long way."

Is Ronaldo the best player in the world? Have your say.

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edinburgh red, edinburgh (29/09/2008 at 14:20)

If ronaldo doesn't win this award it will prove that the senile old men in charge def do not like british football doing well, kaka won the time before for playing well in 12 champions league games, he did nothing inspiring in the league or world cup that year either

Gilly, Belgium (29/09/2008 at 14:22)

I personally dont think he is the very best , having said that i do believe he is very good !!

John Bond who's the daddy (29/09/2008 at 15:44)

why? for trying his hardest to lose the champions league final and helping Portugal to an early exit at euro 2008.

bobbydazzler (29/09/2008 at 16:22)

john bond like all deluded blues you show your total lack of judgement. without this lad in our team we would not have been double champions on that point there is no doubt. he deserves this waward far more than any of his recent contemporaries.

There's Only One Keano, Baltimore, USA (29/09/2008 at 16:29)

The way he tormented Dunne and Richards on Sunday, I'd expect that the Blue Moaners would vote for Zaki as the best player in the world...

shola-shoneils, Finland (29/09/2008 at 18:34)

hes defo not d best footballer ever to come but right now hes d best among the rest! full stop

reddevil4ever, India (29/09/2008 at 19:50)

I would not exchange for anyone on earth. Is that message clear enough for the United hating scum on my page. Clear off!

ted knott, droylsden (29/09/2008 at 20:53)

Kaka is the best player in the world, actually not a lot between him and Ronaldo but Kaka gets the vote because he dosen't dive

Fergie hasn't a CLUE, Madoc Ontario Canada (30/09/2008 at 02:36)

Personally I think Messi is a better player than Ronaldo but, based on his contribution to Man.U's success last season, he is far and away the most deserving of this award. Kaka and his team as with Messi and Barca shouldn't even be in the running.

Good Luck Ronnie.

Andy P, Wythenshawe, Manchester (30/09/2008 at 08:51)

What do teams like Middlesbrough, Coventry City, Blackburn Rovers, Nottingham Forest,Norwich City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Wimbledon all have in common? Please note that they have all won a MAJOR trophy within the last 32 years unlike Manchester City. The bitters on here as usual and yet they forget the biggest diver in the history of football was none other than a certain FRANCIS LEE.

TMUF, Manchester (30/09/2008 at 09:30)

World player of the year should go the player who has been most successful personally and helped contributed to the teams success.

Ted Knott has shown how little he knows about football and the reason he should be ignored as Kaka doesn't come in the top 5 of either category.

Ronaldo is streets ahead of anyone in the world. Top scorer in the PL, CL and all the European leagues!

There are players like Messi, who have had some success but have helped their team achieve nothing in the past 2 years.

Aguero for me would be the only one close.

But at the end of the day, 42 goals, PL and CL medal says it all.

Not to mention he was the only player to do anthing for Portugal taking part in practically all their goals all while being injured.

He scored against evry member of the top 4 including the CL final so if he doesn't win it the award, then its jealous bigwigs not happy to see the Premier League shining!

Nasty.. , East Stand, Level 1 (30/09/2008 at 10:59)

Kaka is the best player in the world, actually not a lot between him and Ronaldo but Kaka gets the vote because he dosen't dive
ted knott, droylsden
29/09/2008 at 20:53

On the button Ted we have to rid the game of cheats the sooner the better !

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