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)

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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

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

Sir Alex Acknowledges Ronaldo's Greatness As He Leaves For Madrid:

"Cristiano has been a marvellous player for Manchester United," Ferguson said. "His six years at Old Trafford have seen him develop into the best footballer in the world.

"His contribution has been a major factor in the club's success in that time and his talent, his ability to entertain and his infectious personality have enthralled fans the world over.

"Everyone here wishes him well in his future career." (Source)

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Rank the best players. Vote at Bestplayerintheworld.com.

Ronaldo's Management Company Refutes Recent Quotes Attributed To The (Former) Best Player In The World:

"The best player in the world - who is spending the off-season with his family - has not, to date, given any interviews, nor will he in the next few days.

"As a result, it can be restated here that any statements that are still being attributed to him are devoid of truth and authenticity and must not be taken seriously." (Source)

Tim Howard's Two Best Players In The World Are Kaka And Ronaldo:

“He’s one of the two best players in the world,” Tim Howard, the American goalkeeper who plays with Everton of the English Premier League, said of Kaká. “To me, he’s amazing, because most of what he does is without flair. I think Cristiano Ronaldo is the other best player in the world, but he does it with flair. With Kaká, everything seems to be so simple for him, which is frustrating.” (Source)

So Real have the two best players in the world? Hmm.

Not what the fans of the world think these days.

Ferguson Knew All Along That Ronaldo Would Become The Best Player In The World:

Jamie Redknapp recalls a moment from his playing days:

"When I came out of the changing room after one game, Sir Alex Ferguson asked after my dad Harry.

"At the end of a quick chat I said to him: ‘That’s some player you’ve got there. Your No 7 is a bit special.’

"He said: ‘Jamie, that lad will be the best player in the world, I’m telling you.’

"And he wasn’t wrong, was he?" (Source)

Hillarious Video: How United Fans Really Should Feel About Losing Cristiano Ronaldo, One Of The Best Players In The World:

Related:

What Martin Samuel had to say about everyone's sudden relief that Ronaldo had left United and England:

"The idea that United are better off without him, or that he can be easily replaced, is too far-fetched even for a sport that is right now looking back on Freddy Shepherd's time at Newcastle as some golden age and wondering again whether David Beckham could play holding midfield for England against strong opposition.

"The latest development is that Ronaldo will be replaced by Luis Antonio Valencia of Wigan Athletic. And had Valencia not scored fewer goals in the entirety of last season than Ronaldo did in the four days between October 29 and November 1, they could be twins.

"As for Ronaldo, judging by the reaction, he is better off at Real Madrid. We didn't deserve him anyway, that useless 67-goal, best footballer you'll ever see at your ground, mate, peacock." (Source)

Bruno Alves Thinks Ronaldo Is Still The Best Player In The World:

"Bruno Alves, meanwhile, believes his Portugal team-mate is worth every penny.

"For me he is the best in the world," he said.

"I think this is his real value, if Real Madrid are prepared to pay this.

"It's good for him and I think he will do even better there." (Source)

Beckenbauer Says Ribery Is Equal To Messi and Ronaldo. Do You Agree? Vote At Bestplayerintheworld.com:

Beckenbauer is either trying to keep Ribery at Bayern or trying to improve his team's negotiating position through the media:

"I can see only two solutions: Ribery extends his contract so the issue is dealt with or we release him,'' he said.

"I rate Ribery alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi as the best footballers in the world at present,'' he added in the Bild newspaper. (Source)

You'll recall that recently Bayern's manager Uli Hoeness claimed that one of Ribery's legs alone was worth 50 million Euros.

Real Madrid President Promises To Sign Two Of The Top Three Best Players In The World:

"Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the best players in the world,'' Perez told Atena 3.

"I'm going to work to bring Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.

"I've been here a few days and neither (former president, Vicente) Boluda nor anyone else has talked to me about this supposed agreement.

"What would be very good is to see these great players at Real Madrid this season. Cristiano would be one of these.'' (Source)

Here's where Perez's best three rank with the fans of the world at bestplayerintheworld.com as of 4:00 pm Eastern Standard Time on Thursday June 4, 2009:

Lionel Messi 45% (733 votes)
Cristiano Ronaldo 23% (367 votes)
Steven Gerrard 7% (116 votes)
Andres Iniesta 4% (58 votes)
Fernando Torres 3% (52 votes)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 3% (42 votes)
Kaka 2% (38 votes)

Wayne Rooney 2% (25 votes)
Ronaldinho 1% (22 votes)
Frank Lampard 1% (23 votes)
Andrei Arshavin 1% (20 votes)
Nemanja Vidic 1% (14 votes)
Didier Drogba 1% (12 votes)
Xavi Hernandez 1% (11 votes)
Franck Ribery 1% (10 votes)
Cesc Fabregas 1% (9 votes)
Arjen Robben <1% (8 votes)
Samuel Eto'o <1% (8 votes)
Robinho <1% (7 votes)
Petr Cech <1% (6 votes)
Emmanuel Adebayor <1% (5 votes)
Iker Casillas <1% (7 votes)
Gianluigi Buffon <1% (5 votes)
David Villa <1% (5 votes)
Luka Modric <1% (5 votes)
Sergio (Kun) Aguero <1% (4 votes)
Ashley Young <1% (3 votes)

Total Votes: 1615

Unbelievable: ESPN's Phil Holland Says That Ronaldo Is Still The Best Player In The World. Vote Now At Bestplayerintheworld.com:

"But did Messi do enough to wrest the crown from Ronaldo's head? Messi undoubtedly had the better game but Ronaldo exuded the same menace when on the ball and had Carrick not Xavi bossed the midfield it could have been a different result.

"Despite being a loser in Rome, Ronaldo still has the edge, for now at least. But that could all change when the official World Player of the Year votes are counted next January." (Source)

Desailly Wants The World To Forget About Messi And Ronaldo And Focus On Others:

"They're top players but neither of them are bigger than their own team" he added.

"They are two elements that can make the difference, but at this level you don't really have one player who can be decisive, [you win] collectively. It will be very difficult for those two because they're under a lot of pressure.

"Let's forget about them; you have Andres Iniesta, who is a magic player, you have Wayne Rooney who is a world-class player already. These are beautiful things that you have to see as well." (Source)

Rome Press Conference (Video): Sir Alex Yuks It Up And Refuses To Name The Best Player In The World:

“They are two fantastic footballers, both with the ability and courage to attack defenders all the time,” Ferguson said diplomatically. “No matter how many times they get tackled, they get up and want the ball. Physically, they are different, but at the end of the day, how can you divide them? It’s very difficult.” (Source)

Tevez Says That Both Ronaldo And Messi Are Special. Cast Your Vote At Bestplayerintheworld.com.

"Everybody considers them to be the best football players in the world," Tevez said. "Some people will say Messi is the best and some people will say Ronaldo is the best.

"For me, they are both as special as each other. To have them both on the same pitch should be great entertainment for the fans." (Source)

Bestplayerintheworld.com: Toure Says Messi Is The Best If Barcelona Win In Rome.

“For now, Ronaldo is No 1,” he told the News of the World.

“He has so much power - just look at the goal he scored against Arsenal from 50m.

“And he is quick with the ball at his feet and strong in the air.”

“If Messi helps us to win the Champions League, then he deserves to be known as the best player in the world.” (Source)

Evra Promises To Shackle Messi So That Ronaldo Wins Best Player In The World Title Bout

Evra also believes he can help prove that United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world by putting the shackles on Messi.

The Argentina ace rivals Old Trafford’s Portugal superstar for that distinction.

“I can show Ronaldo is still the best player in the world if I play well against Messi,” said Evra. (Source)

Ronaldo Believes He Is Still The Best Player In The World. Do You? Vote Now At Bestplayerintheworld.com

"Every time I play football I go out on to the field believing that I am the best.

"And that is the same whether I am training or playing in the Champions League Final.

"For me, you have to have that confidence at all times. That's what makes me the player I am.

"It made me proud to be recognised as the best. I always believed I was the best, but it was an honour to become the official No.1 - and I still think I am at the top.

"Sometimes it is clear that if it is a close fight between two players for the European or world player of the year then winning the Champions League can decide the outcome.

"I won it last year because Manchester United won the Champions League and the Premier League. But I also won it because I scored 42 goals myself.

"It made me very happy. It was a big honour for me personally, but also for Manchester.

"This game we play is about the team, not individuals. This final is not about me and Messi. It is between Manchester United and Barcelona.

"Both are winners of their national titles and I predict that it will be a spectacular duel." Ronaldo missed the first six weeks of the season after undergoing ankle surgery following his exertions at Euro 2008." (Source)

Argentine Buddy Tevez Says Messi Is Not Better Than Teammate Ronaldo

Maybe he is not being honest with the United-Barcelona Final just a week a way, but Carlos Tevez says that Lionel Messi is not the single best player in the world.

He says that Messi is merely equally as good as Cristiano Ronaldo:

“Lionel is a great player,” said Tevez.

“I have not spoken to him but I do know he is looking forward to the final a great deal.

“He is one of the best players in the world and it is going to be difficult for our defenders to stop him.

“In my opinion Messi and Ronaldo are the best players in the world, which is one of the reasons this could be such a great game.

“There is nothing between them. Messi plays with me for Argentina and Ronaldo for Manchester United, so I am very lucky.” (Source)

Sir Alex Explains How The Best Players In The World Are Made

''There are some players, such as Kaka, Messi and Ronaldo who are innately gifted.

''But this is not enough, and there is a practice element which becomes very important.

''If you watch Cristiano Ronaldo, he practises after every squad training session, and quite a few others do the same.

''As a coach, we dedicate parts of the training to improving touch, movement, passing and speed of play, but the special quality, the detail, depends on the player being willing to sacrifice himself after training - this is a hallmark of the great players.

''If the big talents only rely on their natural ability, they won't have that extra edge. They must do something extra on their own.'' (Source)

Dunne says Ronaldo is the Best Player in the World

Ahead of their Manchester derby on Sunday, City captain Richard Dunne has confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo's supremacy over all of the world's players.

"City captain Dunne, who will lead his side's attempts to keep the Portuguese star quiet, rates Ronaldo as one of the world's leading performers despite his reputation for going to ground too easily.''

'At times he can be running so fast any nick sends him tumbling. He makes the most of the situation, I suppose.'

'Some referees give free-kicks but some don't. He is the best player in the world and he plays the game to his advantage.'

'Diving or not diving, he's impossible to mark when he's on form.' (Source)

Hmm, given such talk, could Ronaldo turn the tide in our poll with a big performance in Rome?

And is there going to be enough "talk" around his performances to bring home the Ballon d'Or and World Player awards again later this year?

Well, it is only May.

The people are with Messi just now at bestplayerintheworld.com but where will they be in December?

The "Other" Best Player in the World: Cristiano Ronaldo

As you can see from the poll results here, Lionel Messi is the 2009 people's choice for Best Player in the World.

Messi has over 40% of the vote, while last year's Best Player in the World has only 25%, and the Barca player is looking forward to the match-up in Rome:

"It's the final everybody wanted," said Lionel Messi, who will have the chance to improve on an inconspicuous semi-final showing against the "other" best player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo.

"At this moment in time we are the best two teams in the world. In both legs it was the same story – us trying to play football and Chelsea parked in their half. They are a very hard team to break down but we came through it." (Source)