Ronaldo the best

Last year, Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t perform as well as in the 2007/2008 season where his 42 goals powered Manchester United to domestic and European success.

All the same, Ronaldo enjoyed cup success as Manchester went on to defend their English Premier League title. He also won the Carling Cup and the Fifa World Club Cup trophy.

Good memories also recall Cristiano Ronaldo’s great contribution in the Champions League last season. In the quarter-finals, the Portugal captain scored a mesmerizing goal from 40 yards as Manchester United went on to break Porto’s record at the Estadio do Dragao. In the second leg of the semi-finals against Arsenal, it was almost a similar story. Cristiano Ronaldo scored two wonderful goals and made an assist as the Red Devils marched onto the final.

Yes, Cristiano Ronaldo was on the losing side in Rome when Barcelona were crowned champions of Europe for the third time in history. Now if you ask who is better than Cristiano Ronaldo, many will voice out names like Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, Iniesta, and even Ibrahimovic – despite the fact that Ronaldo’s header contributed in Inter Milan’s exit from the Champions League last season.

Well, opinions should be respected, that is for sure. No war of words, no fights…

But for me, as much as some regard Ronaldinho as the best in football, I regard Cristiano Ronaldo as someone who has injected more excitment in the sport.

His flicks and tricks are special. It was rare to see people doing back heels in football until Cristiano Ronaldo popularized it. He even scored with a back heel; and that was against Aston Villa in 2008.

His free-kicks are breathtaking. Ronaldo has proven several times that he can score from any angle. The star winger is able to convert a free-kick from any distance, no matter where the wall is constructed. His famous free-kicks against Portsmouth, Arsenal, or even Sporting Lisbon tells it all.

Well, I could go on and on with the list of things that Ronaldo can do…

Now my curiosity pushes me far… How will Cristiano Ronaldo and his new team Real Madrid fare next season?

Angela Asante, CRF Chief Editor