Ronaldo - I deserve awards

United ace backs himself for double glory

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 24th October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ronaldo - I deserve awards

Ronaldo: Shy and retiring

If you look at what each of them has done throughout the season, I believe I have done more than the rest.

Cristiano Ronaldo
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Cristiano Ronaldo believes he deserves to be handed the 2008 Ballon d'Or and Fifa World Player of the Year awards.

The Portugal international was in stunning form for Manchester United last season, scoring 42 goals in all competitions as the Red Devils were crowned Premier League and European champions.

In typically self-confident fashion, Ronaldo has proudly boasted that he should claim the individual accolades.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: ""There cannot be just one candidate. There are two or three that deserve it.

"But if you look at what each of them has done throughout the season, I believe I have done more than the rest. What else could I have won for the Golden Ball and the Fifa award?"

Fantastic

He added: "Honestly, regarding the (Ballon D'Or) and the Fifa World Player award I feel confident, I am calm.

"I won the golden boot after scoring 31 goals, I was top scorer in England and in Europe. I was also the top scorer in the Champions League with eight goals and I am not a striker.

"It was a fantastic season but what is more important is the trophies I won with Manchester United, the Premier League and the Champions League."

Ronaldo is on a 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or, which was previously known as the European Footballer of the Year award, alongside United team-mate Wayne Rooney and Liverpool's Spain striker Fernando Torres.

Torture

The Old Trafford star has also revealed the 'torture' he endured as he played through the pain barrier in the closing stages of the season and in Euro 2008 before undergoing ankle surgery.

But he insists he would not hesitate to delay any future operations if it meant he could play in vital fixtures for club and country.

He said: "At times it was like having a knife in my ankle.

"I gritted my teeth. I don't regret it. It was worth it. It was torture, also psychologically."

Does Ronaldo deserve the World Player of the Year award? Let us know using the form below.

Comments (33)

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Mark J says...

There is no doubting Ronaldo is a world class player, however his arrogance and disrespect to Manchester United is unbelieveable! (Yet so many United fans seem to forget this!) Lets not forget what he did to England in the Euro's either, he ruined England's chances! I hope he leaves the premiership asap!

Posted 10:24 25th October 2008

Matthew Lloyd (Peterborough United fan) says...

There can be no argument that Ronaldo deserves this award. One Liverpool fan said that he has done nothing since May. Well, I wouldn't say scoring at the European championships and a few times this season is nothing but ignoring that, for the whole of last season he was phenomenal. He didn't go more than two games without either scoring or putting in a quality performance. Why do people think Kaka and Messi are better? Ok, they might be more skilful but that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is the number of goals/assists you get as an attacking player and Ronaldo blitzes them on that front. Kaka and Messi are both outstandind dribblers who have tremendos passing ability as well but Ronaldo has those things, plus he is much stronger, better in the air and has more of a goal threat. What did Kaka do against Arsenal? Nothing. What did Messi do against United? A few clever passes and dribbles but end-result - nothing.

Posted 10:10 25th October 2008

Maurice Muteti (Manchester United fan) says...

"Give jack his Jacket", Ronaldo is the "Jack" of last season and the trophies undoubtedly are his "Jacket". If so, let us all understand that clothes conceal lots of things, only known to the owner. In this case, the lad has just let us know some weekness in his character, just a little arrogance, compared to what you and i parade. Let's forget the scene of last summer and stand united, Let's support our own till he leaves. Consider Mourinho and Drogba. He always protested and openly refuted any claims that Drogba was a diver, now that he's in inter Milan, he accepts that all critics that he's a diver are true, Shouldn't we learn from that too? All the same, let Ronnie know that United need loyal boys who can stay united. the team is all a celebrity and none does it by himself. If he keeps this demeanour, then we will not hesitate "faxing" him to Real Madrid as he wishes. after all, the Hussler; Tevez, sharp lad, Berba and wonder boy, Rooney are there for UNITED 4 EVER.

Posted 07:32 25th October 2008

Scott Tilley says...

Ronaldo was the best player by far over the last 12 months,scoring goals and creating them for fun,but you just have to look at how mean our defence and midfield was,it give's our forwards so much freedom and Ronny has benefited more than most.WELL DONE EVERY PLAYER LETS MAKE HISTORY THIS YEAR!!!!

Posted 16:24 24th October 2008

Kyle Ws (Manchester United fan) says...

Let's be serious there is NOT another player who did what he did last year, he led from the front the entire time and kept it that way...as much as anyone may dislike him you have to "give Jack his jacket" and this time around "Jack" is that boy RONALDO!!!

Posted 16:00 24th October 2008

John Selby says...

Ronaldo must be the most arrogant and bigheaded player in the United Kingdom. There are just as acomplished players elsewhere in the world who deserve these awards. He is also the biggest cheat in English Football as we see by his antics week in week out with his blatant diving everytime someone touches him. Give him nothing he does not deserve it!!!!!

Posted 15:05 24th October 2008

Colleen H (manchester united fan) (Manchester United fan) says...

Yes Cristiano Ronaldo does deserve to win both the awards because he is the most skillful and the most best player United has ever had in their team and to me he is the pnly player from manchester united who makes football exciting to watch so give them to CRISTIANO RONALDO.

Posted 14:56 24th October 2008

Kirk Mahon (Manchester United fan) says...

Ronaldo is the most exciting player I have ever watched and can change a game in an instant. He scored an incredible amount of goals last season and got many assists. He is the best player in the world and the problem is he knows it. He is arrogant and doesn¿t appreciate the effort his team mates put in for him. I won¿t be surprised if he joines real Madrid at the end of the season I just hope he comes to realise Manchester united turned him into the player he is today.

Posted 14:56 24th October 2008

Ste Temple (Manchester United fan) says...

Best player in the world and therefore should win it no debate!!! His arrogance means people either love him or hate him but if you took that away from him would he have that confidence that swagger, would he be the player he is?? Definately not...it would be like taken the fire out of rooney!!! Wether you love him or hate him you cant deny over the past year he's been the finest player on the planet and hopefully will be for the rest of his time with utd!!!

Posted 14:38 24th October 2008

Hiten Mandalia (Manchester United fan) says...

Ronaldo deserves both awards by far. It was like Kaka and Messi went missing over the last 12 months and I'm sure everyone was in awe of Ronaldo last season. He may be a bit arrogant, but then again, I'm sure everyone has a bit of arrogance inside them..

Posted 14:37 24th October 2008

Stuart Cullimore (Liverpool fan) says...

Ronaldo is an arrogant scum bag who would have walked away from United had Ferguson let him, great player but no loyalty he's interested in two things...himself and money.

Posted 13:07 24th October 2008

Sam Weston (Chelsea fan) says...

No player can boast the goal scoring record and assists that ronaldo supplied man united last term, but why be so arrogant and already declare himself as the supposed winner. going back down the lines of the greatest european players to win the awards, none of them acted this way at all. they all still took the award as a great honour with element of surprise. ronaldo has probably already made space on his bedside cabinet to fit the two awards on.

Posted 13:06 24th October 2008

Petrit Loshaj (Chelsea fan) says...

Ronaldo may deserve the award for his style of play but his arrogance is so much for man u fans to handle that's why so many people hate manchester utd

Posted 13:05 24th October 2008

Piers Feldman (Manchester United fan) says...

I think Ronaldo needs to remember that he was given a platform to perform on by his team mates, putting in a lot of the leg work for him to score so many goals. Certain players played out of position at times (Rooney on more occasions than he should have) to accomodate his free attacking role. There is no "I" in team, but it would appear Cristiano has forgot that. Granted, he was outstanding last year, but in my opinion not the most important player in our team, World player of the year or not

Posted 13:03 24th October 2008

Eddie Jones (Manchester United fan) says...

i can understand why some people believe his arrogance is a flaw, most people would say he doesn't need to self praise himself. But the truth is some of the best sportsmen of all time have been arrogant about their ability most notably Ali. If Ronaldo lost his arrogance off and on the pitch would he be half the player he is? i dont think so.

Posted 13:03 24th October 2008

Mark Miyz (Rangers fan) says...

Ronaldo was by far the best player in the world last year. Maybe not the most exciting or skilful but definitely the most effective. Although all of the Man Utd team contributed towards the double last season I would say he contributed the most. There¿s a good chance he won¿t win the FIFA world player of the year because he plays in England and these awards generally go to those who play in Spain or Italy¿ I also think he¿s confident more than arrogant.

Posted 13:02 24th October 2008

Ashley F (Manchester United fan) says...

He is very arrogant and it's hard to watch as a life-long red. But unfortunately he hasn't got much competition for the awards. Both Messi and Kaka were out of form last season and where you can rightfully say that they are better players...over the past 12 months nobody performed like Ronaldo. Kaka and Messi are better players and I'm sure will win it in the future but I think this one is his.

Posted 12:29 24th October 2008

Wolde Guleid (Arsenal fan) says...

Ron is an excellent footballer and in my view he deserves some award for his sterling performance last season but he shouldnt be arrogant about it.Players like Kaka and Zizou never did though they're definately superior. Fifa player of the year in my view should go to brilliant Messi...he's in a different class to Ronaldo in many ways and YES MESSI SHOULD HAVE IT!!

Posted 12:27 24th October 2008

Nik Joshi (Manchester United fan) says...

I have to say Ronaldo has been outstanding in the last year, winning the Champions League and scoring 42 goals, when he's not even a striker. He definitely deserves the reward, but he shouldn't self-praise himself, be complacent or be so confident as there are others that should challenge him. My top eight : 1st Ronaldo, 2nd Messi, 3rd Fabregas, 4th Torres, 5th Diego, 6th Adebayor, 7th Sergio Ramos, 8th Kaka.

Posted 12:21 24th October 2008

Alan Molyneux (Liverpool fan) says...

Ronaldo had an outstanding 5th season at Old Trafford, but went missing in Euro 2008. Torres had an outstanding 1st season at Liverpool, and helped Spain to glory in Euro 2008. Putting all that to one side - the best player in the world is Messi.

Posted 12:20 24th October 2008
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