Right now he is rated as the 6th best player in the world by the fans of the world at BestPlayerInTheWorld.com but is Zlatan Ibrahimovic really that far off from future teammate Lionel Messi?:
Will Ibra's stock soar when people see him on the same pitch as Messi, Iniesta and Xabi? Will the world think he is better than the best and therefore the Best Player In The World in 2010?
Eric Abidal tries to convince Franck Ribery to join Barca:
"I told him that I would be happy if he signed for Barca, a perfect club for him and that we will try and win three titles again plus he would play alongside Messi, the next Ballon d’Or winner." (Source)
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While it is the media which votes for the Ballon d'Or winner, here is what the fans of the world think of Messi in 2009 voting at BestPlayerInTheWorld.com:
Lionel Messi 46% (1159 votes)
Cristiano Ronaldo 21% (525 votes)
Steven Gerrard 7% (168 votes)
Andres Iniesta 4% (99 votes)
Fernando Torres 3% (71 votes)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 3% (70 votes)
Kaka 2% (60 votes)
Frank Lampard 2% (44 votes)
Wayne Rooney 1% (36 votes)
Ronaldinho 1% (36 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: 2513
Cristiano Ronaldo's new teammates, Gonzalo Higuain and Marcelo, say Lionel Messi deserves to be named World Footballer of the Year by the media.
Higuain said: "Today, the last winner of the Ballon d'Or is Cristiano, but this year Leo is going to win because Barca won the Treble. Undoubtedly, he is going to win this year."
And Marcelo added: "I think Messi will be the new Ballon d'Or because even though Cristiano has done well, to win the award it includes many things such as titles won." (Source)
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"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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"Barcelona wizard Lionel Messi was awarded the ESPN Deportes Latino Athlete of the Year last night in Los Angeles. Though the 22-year-old was delighted to have bagged another individual accolade, he has his sights set another clean sweep with the Blaugrana."
“This honour is fantastic, as all awards are important and special,” Marca quoted him telling reporters during the gala.
“But I hope to repeat the season that we just had, although it will be very difficult to replicate our accomplishment last campaign.” (Source)
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Here is where Messi stands in BestPlayerInTheWorld.com worldwide fan voting as of 1pm Eastern Standard Time on Friday July 17, 2009:
Lionel Messi 46% (1123 votes)
Cristiano Ronaldo 21% (516 votes)
Steven Gerrard 7% (164 votes)
Andres Iniesta 4% (97 votes)
Fernando Torres 3% (69 votes)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 3% (69 votes)
Kaka 2% (57 votes)
Frank Lampard 2% (44 votes)
Wayne Rooney 1% (35 votes)
Ronaldinho 1% (32 votes)
Andrei Arshavin 1% (27 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% (14 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% (6 votes)
Sergio (Kun) Aguero <1% (6 votes)
Karim Benzema <1% (1 votes)
Total Votes: 2446
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Gregg Berhalter on David Beckham's return to the Los Angelas Galaxy:
"We have one of the best players in the world joining us so I think it's a luxury to be able to have that," Berhalter said. "We've gotten this far without him and now we're looking to build with him because he's a great player and he can definitely help our team." (Source)
For weeks now he's been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona but it appears that Zlatan Ibrahimovic's dream has been undercut by a rationalization in the transfer market. Barca are unwilling to pay Inter's 70m Euro asking price and Inter see no reason to move one of the best players in the world for any less.
While it's hard to believe that Ibra is happy with this news, he says he is:
"What happens happens. I am happy to be here, I am as pleased as the first day when I came to Inter. " (Source)
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Here's where Zlatan stands in worldwide fan voting at BestPlayerInTheWorld.com as of 6am Eastern Standard Time on Sunday July 12, 2009:
Lionel Messi 46% (1091 votes)
Cristiano Ronaldo 21% (507 votes)
Steven Gerrard 7% (161 votes)
Andres Iniesta 4% (96 votes)
Fernando Torres 3% (66 votes)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 2% (56 votes)
Kaka 2% (54 votes)
Frank Lampard 2% (44 votes)
Wayne Rooney 1% (34 votes)
Ronaldinho 1% (31 votes)
Andrei Arshavin 1% (27 votes)
Nemanja Vidic 1% (18 votes)
Franck Ribery 1% (16 votes)
Luka Modric 1% (17 votes)
Xavi Hernandez 1% (19 votes)
Robinho 1% (16 votes)
Didier Drogba 1% (18 votes)
Cesc Fabregas 1% (14 votes)
Samuel Eto'o 1% (16 votes)
David Villa 1% (14 votes)
Iker Casillas 1% (12 votes)
Arjen Robben <1% (9 votes)
Ashley Young <1% (9 votes)
Petr Cech <1% (8 votes)
Emmanuel Adebayor <1% (6 votes)
Gianluigi Buffon <1% (6 votes)
Sergio (Kun) Aguero <1% (6 votes)
Karim Benzema 0% (0 votes)
Total Votes: 2371
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Soccernet.com reports:
"Liverpool are poised to announce that captain Steven Gerrard has signed a new four-year contract, which will keep the 29-year-old at Anfield for the rest of his career."
"The Reds' skipper put the finishing touches to a new four-year contract after his return to pre-season training on Wednesday.
"The deal is worth a reported £140,000 a week and will commit Gerrard to his hometown club until he is 33." (Source)
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Here is exactly where Steven Gerrard stands in BestPlayerIntheWorld.com worldwide fan voting as of 7am Eastern Standard Time on Friday July 10, 2009:
Lionel Messi 46% (1079 votes)
Cristiano Ronaldo 21% (503 votes)
Steven Gerrard 7% (161 votes)
Andres Iniesta 4% (96 votes)
Fernando Torres 3% (66 votes)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 2% (55 votes)
Kaka 2% (53 votes)
Frank Lampard 2% (44 votes)
Wayne Rooney 1% (33 votes)
Ronaldinho 1% (31 votes)
Andrei Arshavin 1% (27 votes)
Nemanja Vidic 1% (18 votes)
Franck Ribery 1% (16 votes)
Luka Modric 1% (17 votes)
Xavi Hernandez 1% (18 votes)
Robinho 1% (16 votes)
Didier Drogba 1% (18 votes)
Cesc Fabregas 1% (14 votes)
Samuel Eto'o 1% (15 votes)
David Villa 1% (14 votes)
Iker Casillas 1% (12 votes)
Arjen Robben <1% (9 votes)
Ashley Young <1% (9 votes)
Petr Cech <1% (8 votes)
Emmanuel Adebayor <1% (6 votes)
Gianluigi Buffon <1% (6 votes)
Sergio (Kun) Aguero <1% (6 votes)
Karim Benzema 0% (0 votes)
Total Votes: 2350
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"Real Madrid sold 15 Cristiano Ronaldo jerseys per minute at the club's shop at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in the two hours that followed the player's presentation on Monday, reports said Wednesday."
"The shop sold 2,000 jerseys bearing the Portuguese striker's name and the number nine once sported by club legend Alfredo di Stefano during the period at 85 euros (118 dollars) each for a total revenue of 170,000 euros, sports dailies AS and Marca reported.
"In the rush, 300 black and white Ronaldo jerseys were stolen. The "Cristianomania" continued on Tuesday as the adult size jerseys were sold out at the shop.
"Ronaldo, 24, did much better than Real's other big name new recruit, Brazil's Kaka, who joined the Spanish giants from AC Milan in early June for 65 million euros.
"During the two hours that followed the 27-year-old's presentation at the Bernabeu stadium on June 30, the shop sold 600 Kaka jerseys or five per minute." (Source)
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Here is where Messi stands in BestPlayerInTheWorld.com worldwide fan voting as of 10am Eastern Standard Time on Thursday July 9, 2009:
Lionel Messi 46% (1071 votes)
Cristiano Ronaldo 21% (500 votes)
Steven Gerrard 7% (160 votes)
Andres Iniesta 4% (95 votes)
Fernando Torres 3% (66 votes)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 2% (55 votes)
Kaka 2% (53 votes)
Frank Lampard 2% (44 votes)
Wayne Rooney 1% (33 votes)
Ronaldinho 1% (31 votes)
Andrei Arshavin 1% (27 votes)
Nemanja Vidic 1% (18 votes)
Franck Ribery 1% (16 votes)
Luka Modric 1% (17 votes)
Xavi Hernandez 1% (18 votes)
Robinho 1% (16 votes)
Didier Drogba 1% (18 votes)
Cesc Fabregas 1% (14 votes)
Samuel Eto'o 1% (15 votes)
David Villa 1% (14 votes)
Iker Casillas 1% (12 votes)
Arjen Robben <1% (9 votes)
Ashley Young <1% (9 votes)
Petr Cech <1% (8 votes)
Emmanuel Adebayor <1% (6 votes)
Gianluigi Buffon <1% (6 votes)
Sergio (Kun) Aguero <1% (6 votes)
Karim Benzema 0% (0 votes)
Total Votes: 2337
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"It's obvious that I'm a less egotistical footballer now,'' he told Spanish sports daily AS.
"Without a doubt. I know for sure that four years ago I always played to try to end up scoring myself.
"But experience makes you understand that you achieve better things playing as a team and being united. At Madrid they will see a better Cristiano.''
"Ferguson is a maestro,'' added Ronaldo. "For me he was my father in football. He was crucial in my career and, outside football, was a great human being with me. Talent isn't everything. You can have it from the cradle, but it is necessary to learn the trade to be the best.
"When I arrived in England I was an 18-year-old kid and had established stars by my side. Ferguson taught me to clean up my faults, to know to give the pass at the last moment, to take the right decision in the area.
"I spent six years at United and I owe them everything that I am today. I made history at United and won many trophies. It was a pleasure to play at Old Trafford but now a new stage in my life is beginning at the Bernabeu with new challenges.
"I wanted to play at this club and for that reason I'm here.''
"I'm used to living with speculation,'' he said. "I could have signed for Madrid in 2008, but there wasn't an agreement between the clubs and I owed myself to United. I wanted to respect that and I did. I took the best decision.''
"Since I've been able to think I've known what this club means. In Madeira they talked about Madrid as the most famous club with the best history in the world, with great international stars.
"The kids in Portugal at my time, we were all for Madrid. For that reason it is a privilege to be here. That kid's dream has been achieved.
"What happened on Monday in the Bernabeu was incredible. I couldn't have imagined what I was experiencing. It was impressive, incredible. I get goosebumps just by remembering it. I wasn't expecting something like it.'' (Source)
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Quite a sight, this presentation of Ronaldo. He really looks at home at the Bernabeu wearing the Real white.
Even the number 9 is impressive and will allow for a more complete break from Manchester and United and the Premiership and England that was marked by his number 7.
Nice moment with the signing of the ball for the boy.
To me Ronaldo looks really and happy and really motivated. And that will make for an interesting season here because I think he will again compete with Messi (and Kaka?) for Best Player In The World status.
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...Just hours before donning Adidas Real Madrid jersey:
Coincidence? We don't think so.
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Messi still leads by a large margin and Ronaldo is now down to 21% of the vote at bestplayerintheworld.com as of 10am Eastern Standard Time on Monday July 6, 2009:
Lionel Messi 46% (1049 votes)
Cristiano Ronaldo 21% (494 votes)
Steven Gerrard 7% (157 votes)
Andres Iniesta 4% (92 votes)
Fernando Torres 3% (66 votes)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 2% (54 votes)
Kaka 2% (53 votes)
Frank Lampard 2% (43 votes)
Wayne Rooney 1% (33 votes)
Ronaldinho 1% (31 votes)
Andrei Arshavin 1% (27 votes)
Nemanja Vidic 1% (18 votes)
Franck Ribery 1% (16 votes)
Luka Modric 1% (17 votes)
Xavi Hernandez 1% (18 votes)
Robinho 1% (16 votes)
Didier Drogba 1% (17 votes)
Cesc Fabregas 1% (14 votes)
Samuel Eto'o 1% (14 votes)
David Villa 1% (14 votes)
Iker Casillas 1% (12 votes)
Arjen Robben <1% (9 votes)
Ashley Young <1% (9 votes)
Petr Cech <1% (8 votes)
Emmanuel Adebayor <1% (6 votes)
Gianluigi Buffon <1% (6 votes)
Sergio (Kun) Aguero <1% (6 votes)
Karim Benzema 0% (0 votes)
Total Votes: 2299
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"I think that it's a fair figure. If Manchester United and Real Madrid agree this amount, then there is nothing more to say," he told Spanish tabloid Marca. "The great players cost a lot of money, and if you want them you have to pay it. I'm happy to be the most expensive player in the world."
"I know that they are going to demand a lot of me to be successful at the club and I know that I'm going to have much more pressure than at Manchester United, because I was there for many years. But it means a new challenge and is going to help me be the best footballer." (Source)
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Here's where the Most Expensive Player In The World stands now in Best Player In The World rankings at 11:30am Eastern Standard Time on Saturday July 4, 2009:
Lionel Messi 46% (1032 votes)
Cristiano Ronaldo 22% (492 votes)
Steven Gerrard 7% (156 votes)
Andres Iniesta 4% (90 votes)
Fernando Torres 3% (65 votes)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 2% (54 votes)
Kaka 2% (53 votes)
Frank Lampard 2% (43 votes)
Wayne Rooney 1% (31 votes)
Ronaldinho 1% (30 votes)
Andrei Arshavin 1% (27 votes)
Nemanja Vidic 1% (17 votes)
Franck Ribery 1% (16 votes)
Luka Modric 1% (17 votes)
Xavi Hernandez 1% (17 votes)
Robinho 1% (15 votes)
Didier Drogba 1% (17 votes)
Cesc Fabregas 1% (14 votes)
Samuel Eto'o 1% (14 votes)
David Villa 1% (12 votes)
Iker Casillas 1% (12 votes)
Arjen Robben <1% (9 votes)
Ashley Young <1% (8 votes)
Petr Cech <1% (8 votes)
Emmanuel Adebayor <1% (6 votes)
Gianluigi Buffon <1% (6 votes)
Sergio (Kun) Aguero <1% (6 votes)
Karim Benzema 0% (0 votes)
Total Votes: 2267
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Benzema talks about learning from two former Best Players In The World at his new club Real Madrid and says he wants to win the Ballon d'Or:
"They are big stars," he said of Kaka and Ronaldo.
"These two are great players, Ballon d'Or winners. I must learn at their side."
Questioned as to whether he felt he could emulate the achievements of his future team-mates in winning the Ballon d'Or, awarded to the best footballer in Europe, he replied:
"Yes, I have thought about this.
"I must just keep having good seasons with many great matches whether with the club or the French national side.
"For me, this must be a player's goal in his head, even if it's an individual trophy.
"But if you want to be a somebody in football, and be recognised, you need to win the Ballon d'Or at least once. It's always in the back of my mind.
"All that's happened to me so far has been a dream, but I must keep working to make others come true." (Source)
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Benzema's acquistion by Real Madrid now marks him as a strong Best Player In The World candidate.
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Here's where Messi stands in worldwide fan voting as of 5pm Eastern Standard Time on Thursday July 2, 2009:
Lionel Messi 46% (1026 votes)
Cristiano Ronaldo 22% (490 votes)
Steven Gerrard 7% (155 votes)
Andres Iniesta 4% (88 votes)
Fernando Torres 3% (65 votes)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 2% (54 votes)
Kaka 2% (52 votes)
Frank Lampard 2% (40 votes)
Wayne Rooney 1% (31 votes)
Ronaldinho 1% (30 votes)
Andrei Arshavin 1% (25 votes)
Nemanja Vidic 1% (17 votes)
Franck Ribery 1% (16 votes)
Luka Modric 1% (17 votes)
Xavi Hernandez 1% (17 votes)
Robinho 1% (15 votes)
Didier Drogba 1% (17 votes)
Cesc Fabregas 1% (13 votes)
Samuel Eto'o 1% (14 votes)
David Villa 1% (12 votes)
Iker Casillas 1% (12 votes)
Arjen Robben <1% (9 votes)
Ashley Young <1% (8 votes)
Petr Cech <1% (8 votes)
Emmanuel Adebayor <1% (6 votes)
Gianluigi Buffon <1% (6 votes)
Sergio (Kun) Aguero <1% (5 votes)
Total Votes: 2248
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"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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Here's where Kaka stands in worldwide fan voting as of 8am Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday July 1, 2009:
Lionel Messi 46% (1019 votes)
Cristiano Ronaldo 22% (480 votes)
Steven Gerrard 7% (152 votes)
Andres Iniesta 4% (86 votes)
Fernando Torres 3% (65 votes)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 2% (52 votes)
7. Kaka 2% (50 votes)
Frank Lampard 2% (40 votes)
Wayne Rooney 1% (30 votes)
Ronaldinho 1% (29 votes)
Andrei Arshavin 1% (25 votes)
Nemanja Vidic 1% (17 votes)
Franck Ribery 1% (16 votes)
Luka Modric 1% (17 votes)
Xavi Hernandez 1% (16 votes)
Robinho 1% (15 votes)
Didier Drogba 1% (17 votes)
Cesc Fabregas 1% (13 votes)
Samuel Eto'o 1% (13 votes)
David Villa 1% (12 votes)
Iker Casillas <1% (11 votes)
Arjen Robben <1% (9 votes)
Ashley Young <1% (8 votes)
Petr Cech <1% (8 votes)
Emmanuel Adebayor <1% (6 votes)
Gianluigi Buffon <1% (6 votes)
Sergio (Kun) Aguero <1% (5 votes)
Total Votes: 2217
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But he cautions that the arrival of some of the best players in the world will not guarantee the team success:
"My experience in football has told me that talent alone is not enough."
"I've met players with a lot of talent who have not been successful, and others with less talent who have been champions.
"It's something else to have a team of players with talent who sacrifice themselves to achieve the same aim." (Source)
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