Ronaldo rarely does the business against the top teams, but that doesn't mean he is more inconsistent than Rooney. How many times has Rooney really been that good this season? I've certainly not been impressed a lot - nowhere near as much as 2 seasons ago.

I think they are leagues apart. Ronaldo completely overshadows him.

Oh and O Dogg, just because some people think Ronaldo is the best, it doesn't mean all of them are basing that solely on media hype.

For a start, Kaka isn't even in contention in my mind. So that only leaves a few top players in with a shout.

There's the argument that Ronaldo doesn't do it against the best teams, and his decision making is poor. That's true.

But i think what he is able to do far outweighs that. He can do almost everything. He is superb in the air, strong, fast, skillful, good at shooting and a clinical finisher.

He destroys teams on his own. He's the most deadly player in the world.

Some people seem to be ignoring his goals. Obviously it's not all about goals, but goals are how you win football matches. He has 30 of them already this season. 30! That's a truly remarkable achievement. He is only two off of George Best's record. Doesn't that say it all?

not really mate, as do you not think players such as Kaka and Messi get players doubling up on them? George Best for example had about 5 players a game marking him. The best up their game when they are doubled up and against better opponants. If he is struggling trying to go past 2 players at a time, then do something different. Take the different circumstances into consideration. Use your brain and make better decisions. Use your team. If he used his team more against better opposition then he would be more productive i am sure. He is too selfish to be the best player in the world for me.

Just ask the Manchester United fans on here who watch him all the time what they think of him. Forev, O dogg and tdv all agree he is not the best due to some of the points i have raised. He has the ability to be the best player in the world in the future and to keep hold of that title for a number of years, but for me, not until he does the basics better.

Thanks Sticky T

I could not said that better myself. He is a lethal weapon. The only people that dont recognize that are either not Man U fans or are the same Man U fans that when he first arrived he was a one trick poney!

Get real you better recognize!

Cristiano Ronaldo can overshadow him.
He is more stable than Rooney I think.He is a complete footballer.That's what I say.

been contradictory here sticky, first you say its not all about goals and then you say him being 2 goals behind George Best's record says it all.




The way i compare it, in laymans terms, is that of a 15 year old playing against 10 year olds. Here he will destroy the opposition, but when he plays someone his own age, he gets found out. I know that is rather a [beep!] way of putting it but think about it. How can a player who doesnt perform against the best teams or on the big stage be the best in the world?

He is a fantastic player, easily top 5 in the world. But I would rather have the other two players at Liverpool for me, and there are plenty of reasons for me to warrant this.

Yes he can run with the ball, score goals, head the ball very well, but how can he be the most complete footballer when he wont do the basics to the best of his ability. He shoots when a pass would be a better option. He takes players on when a simple pass would be a better option on quite a few occasions. These two examples for me mean his decision making is not good. He is not a team player. It is a team sport.

It is just being biased to ignore the fact that he has flaws in his game which mean at present, for me Messi at least, is a better player than him.

Of course you had to be a scouser did you! Surely you have great examples of world class players dont you. Apart from Stevie G that is not world class by the way all your team is very average. You'll be lucky to get 4th place. Better win the CL to make sure your american owners get a few squid in next season!

And how annoying is it when he stands with the ball and waves his feet around for about 20 seconds before passing it! What is this acheiving? It makes him look like an idiot

Someone said earlier that in big games, opposing teams tend to put 2 men on him and stop him from playing....rubbish. Paul Telfer (yes, Paul Telfer) single-handedly marked him out of the game at Celtic Park and he got absolutley no help from Nakamura. Just bottles it when it matters most.

, See you have resorted in trying to abuse Liverpool. Try not to hit me where it hurts. Dear dear me. What has any of that got to do with anything? i can assure you me supporting Liverpool has nothing to do with this thread. Messi is a better player than Ronaldo for me and i have given you reasons why i think this. You have not given me any good, legitimate reason for defending the fact he plays poorly against good opposition. The excuse of players doubling up on him is laughable!

At least Gerrard makes meaningful contributions against top opponanats and on the big occasions. Something your boy does not do.

thank you, some common sense. Surely a quick pass instead of waving his foot around would be more beneifical to his team? But of course that wont signal him out any more so no wonder.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/284032/cristiano_ronaldo_the_movie/

check how a. cole sitting. Remember WC2006. I had a good game in the world stage! By the way enjoy the video

thank you for posting a nice lil video there. Was nice to see some tricks. Nice to see him getting the better of Chimbonda, Fulham, Charlton, a poor Aston Villa at the time and Wigan. That certainly backs up your point!!

Dont suppose you noticed that nearly every single clip they showed never ended with us seeing where the ball actually got to, thus leading me to believe the ball probably never got to its desired target, and was more than likely cleared. I counted 4 assists in that clip

That clip did nothing for your argument.

Yes the clip showed A cole on the floor, but your being ignorant if you think that had any bearing on the battle the two players had. I seem to recal A cole pointing at Ronaldo after he had just tackled him and Ronaldo was lying on the Old Trafford pitch, Cole then simulated to the fans putting Christano in his back pocket.

Youtube clips are not the best ammo for these type of arguments. Cos i could do exactly the same for Kaka and Messi.

Infact i will, here is one clip of Messi scoring a hat trick against real madrid. Arguably the biggest club game in the world against some of the best defenders in the world e.g Cannavaro.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHJOmrqeSyA&feature=related

Here is a clip of Messi being chased by at least 3 Chelsea players and being dangerous, proving its not just Ronaldo that faces this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp6ENP9gAs0

Not sure if you have seen this goal by Messi. I know its against gatafe but still. Looks a bit like maradona do you not think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hokq-7olthE

and here is just a random messi compilation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrcVCj7GQo0

This could go on and on, so no need to come back at me with Ronaldo clips, as i know even my clips do little to prove my point. I was want to discredit your little video you posted.

Benraul:

Proper hatrick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WR42bEs43Y

The hatrick is an absolute joke. World class defenders they might be but the first two goals he's on his own! If he had missed them he would be laught at!

The goal against getafe it looks like maradona at a training match. All getafe players are ball watching and theres no decent chalange on him.

Ronaldo nearly did the same against milwall Fa cup final but Dennis Wise broght him down very hard.

Love the last goal of the hatrick but then again nothing that ronaldo would not be able to do if he was gifted in team mates like messi has at Barca. Surely you dont want to compare the likes of Fletcher;Carrick; Hargreves to Ronaldinho & Co. Get real my friend.

Messi is a fantastic player in the same league as ronaldo and kaka.

I pretende to finish here our heated argument. Both of us are right we just have diferent tastes!

By the way sorry if I gone low about abusing Liverpool.

You are quire correct Sticky - Not all of them are basing it solely on media hype. I stated that a MAJORITY of fans who think he is the best are basing it on Media hype and are getting sucked in. There is a world of difference between those 2 statements - keep up boy.

I don't have any stats. Where can I find them?

Yes his challenges might be harsh sometimes I'm afraid you're too right in this case but still I say Cristiano Ronaldo my mate

No, that wasn't contradictory at all.

It's not all about goals, but goals are a huge part of football. When you look at his goal scoring record compared to Best's record, it tells you a lot.

I'll tell you how a player can be the best in the world when he struggles against the best teams. That's by picking up points for your team consistently. That's what he does, and that is why Man U won the league last season. Without Ronaldo i've got no doubt they wouldn't have been anywhere near as strong last season. I think they simply would not have won the league. That was of far more value than a handful of good performances against a few top teams.


I only came on here to post something i gotr in an email today. It was quite random, as i've never spoken to the person about Ronaldo before, but he just sent me this:



Patrice Evra (Manchester United defender):
“Cristiano can do the same job as Maradona or Pele or Best. He can be like them. I have never seen anyone like him before in my life. But I am not surprised at what he does. You should see how hard he works in training. He is always the first one in and the last one out.”


Sir Bobby Charlton (Manchester United legend):
“He is getting better than we ever imagined. Ronaldo does things I have never seen anybody else do.”



Luis Figo (Former Portugal international):
“He has fantastic qualities and will continue to learn. Sooner or later the title of best player in the world will be his. He is ambitious and every year he wants to be better and better - even though he already is in the top bracket.”


Gael Clichy (Arsenal defender):
“He is the best player I’ve ever played against. He is quick, skilful and clever. I have a photograph at home of one of our challenges during the FA Cup semi-final in 2004, even if that afternoon United beat us.”


Gary Lineker (Ex- England striker and leading pundit):
“Watching him this season I’ve witnessed acts of manipulation of a football that verge on the physically impossible. Ronaldo is still young at 22, but I believe that if he continues on this trajectory of development, he could become one of the greatest players ever.”



Roberto Mancini (Inter manager):
“He’s a great, really great player. When he was young, he already showed he would have a sensational future and I was convinced of his potential a long time ago. Now he’s confirming himself on a really high level.”



Rafaele Paladino (Juventus forward):
“If I must be sincere, I am a crazy fan of Cristiano Ronaldo. When I can, I watch Manchester United games on TV. The Portuguese is my role-model.”





Oh and can i just say, i would love to say Drogba is the best, and i believe lst season he was. However, i can't really pick Drogba because this season has been so stop-start. He hasn't really got going through no fault of his own.

But all the arguments that have been flying around about consistency, all round game, performances against the big teams, decision making/team play etc. can't be used against Drogba. He ticks all the boxes.

He can pass, run, shoot, score from all sorts of positions and distances, with head and both feet. He is clinical, and never bottles it against the top teams. There is no real way of shutting him out of the game, because he can do everything, and even out-muscled and beat most defenders. He can beat many in the air and on the floor, and if that doesn't work, he has the ability to unleash a rocket from distance. He's also superb at holding the ball up and getting other players into the game. Good decision making and team play. And unlike most strikers, he is very good defensively. Hanson described him one of the best strikers at defending he has ever seen.

Just to refresh your memory. He scored against Valencia, Barcelona (twice), Liverpool, Man Utd (to win the cup final) and Arsenal (twice to win the Carling cup final). It doesn't matter who he plays - he scores goals.

I see you almost are typing a whole book on your posts Sticky T
Don't you ever get tired?

That's nothing. If i was really bothered about this, and really wanted to back up what i say i'd do research on and it and post a loads of statistics. AS well as writing a much more in depth analysis of the player and contenders.

I'm not bothered though, i'm tired and i don't have the time.