Cristiano Ronaldo, Best Player in the World?

Fast, flashy, intelligent, skilled, nimble and unstoppable are a few of the words that have been used to describe the young Portugese mid-fielder named Cristiano Ronaldo during the first week of the 2008 European Championships. Commentators from Andy Grey and Tommy Smyth to Derek Rae and Julie Foudy have heralded him as simply, "the best." There is certainly a large contingent of the footballing world that would agree, and his numbers on the field seem to back up that notion.

After starting his professional career at the age of 16 for Sporting Lisbon A Portugese Side out of Lisbon), by 2001; in his career debut for the squad, he netted twice, and scored the game winner against Boavista all before his seventeenth birthday. Attracting the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson(Manchester United's revered manager;) who was seeking to replace the loss of golden boy David Beckham, he soon signed with the Red Devils. Although his campaign in 2003 (his first with United) was one filled with mixed sucess, he soon found his swagger again. In the time that has passed since his debut with the outfit, Ronaldo has scored an impressive 92 goals for United. Something unheard of from a wide player, (Cristiano plays on the attacking end of the right mid - field,) and there are certainly many first time strikers who cannot boast the same scoring record. Compared to David Beckham, who scored 41 Goals in 9 seasons as a first team regular for Manchest United; the numbers certainly seem to show Ronaldo as a clearly better player.

Looking at Intentional statistics, Ronaldo has been a vital member of the Portugese national team for a number of years now. While he has been apart of the set up since he was 17, his first team experience began at the Euro 2004, where he played a pivotal roll in getting the Portugese into the final, where they fell to the Greeks in a tight game. In his career he has scored 26 goals for Portugal, and he show cased his skill in today's game against the Czech Republic, where he scored a goal and created another in their 3 - 1 win.

Simply by the numbers alone, Cristiano may be one of the highest scorers in both International, and club soccer. He certainly has ecliped the records of Beckham, and at the age of 23, the sky seems to be the limit. Why then do certain members of the footballing world criticize the young man with a taste for brilliance?

The most common arguement brought against the Portguese player is that he simply goes down with little to no contact. Of the player's 31 goals for the club this season, 8 of them came from the spot. A number that is particularly large, and beyond that; he drew over 13 Penalty Kicks on opposing during the season. To put that in perspective, Derby County (who finished last in the Premiership) were only awarded a mere two penalties the entire season. Of course the possiblity that Ronaldo is simply that amazing is a possibility, but upon further review of most of these calls; they seemed dubious at best. While many lady's would swoon in the presence of Cristiano, his acting and complaints on the pitch would go a long way to help him improve his image as more then an athletically gifted James Franco.

It is obvious that Cristiano is, and will be one of the world's best players for years to come. However, while it is up to you to form your own opinions, it is my belief that while he is an amazingly gifted talent, until he matures past his on field antics and is able to withstand a challenge in the penalty box without crumpling like a piece of paper, he will never be the best in the world. The best player in the world should be somebody who is not afraid to take somebody one on one, and will always fight with determination rather then hoping the officials get involved. Will that become Ronaldo? Will he be indoctrined into the ranks of legends such as Zidane, Platini, Van Basten, Pele, Maradona, and other greats? Only time will tell.