Ferguson: Cristiano Ronaldo is EASILY The Best Player In The World:

"Cristiano is a massive loss," Ferguson told PA Sport.

"I have nothing but praise for the boy. He is easily the best player in the world. He is better than Kaka and better than Messi. He is streets ahead of them all.

"His contribution as a goal threat is unbelievable. His stats are incredible. Strikes at goal, attempts on goal, raids into the penalty box, headers. It is all there. Absolutely astounding."

"Three years ago I had a conversation with (then assistant) Carlos Queiroz," recalled Ferguson.

"We thought we would be doing well to keep him for another two, so overall, we have done well to keep him for six years.

"He is a great player. And if he gets the right training regime, as he had at United, he will develop and get even better." (Source)

---

Despite what Sir Alex thinks here is where Cristiano Ronaldo stands in worldwide fan voting at BestPlayerInTheWorld.com as of 10pm Eastern Standard Time on Monday July 20, 2009:

Lionel Messi 46% (1140 votes)
Cristiano Ronaldo 21% (520 votes)
Steven Gerrard 7% (166 votes)
Andres Iniesta 4% (98 votes)
Fernando Torres 3% (71 votes)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 3% (69 votes)
Kaka 2% (58 votes)
Frank Lampard 2% (44 votes)
Wayne Rooney 1% (36 votes)
Ronaldinho 1% (32 votes)
Andrei Arshavin 1% (29 votes)
Nemanja Vidic 1% (19 votes)
Franck Ribery 1% (17 votes)
Luka Modric 1% (18 votes)
Xavi Hernandez 1% (20 votes)
Robinho 1% (16 votes)
Didier Drogba 1% (18 votes)
Cesc Fabregas 1% (15 votes)
Samuel Eto'o 1% (18 votes)
David Villa 1% (15 votes)
Iker Casillas <1% (12 votes)
Arjen Robben <1% (10 votes)
Ashley Young <1% (9 votes)
Petr Cech <1% (8 votes)
Emmanuel Adebayor <1% (6 votes)
Gianluigi Buffon <1% (7 votes)
Sergio (Kun) Aguero <1% (6 votes)
Karim Benzema <1% (2 votes)

Total Votes: 2479

---

> Vote for Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of the best players in the world at BestPlayerInTheWorld.com