Scolari hails Ronaldo effort

Portuguese boss feels Ronaldo is now world's best

By Vasek Kadlec   Last updated: 26th May 2008

Scolari hails Ronaldo effort

Ronaldo: Earned Scolari praise

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Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari believes Cristiano Ronaldo is now the complete player and has established himself as the world's best.

The 23-year-old winger has enjoyed a sensational season with Manchester United, scoring 42 goals to steer them to a Premier League and UEFA Champions League double, and Scolari is hoping Ronaldo can cap it off by leading Portugal to glory at Euro 2008 next month.

Although Ronaldo's ability has never been in question, Scolari feels it is his work ethic that now sets him apart.

"It has been a great season for Cristiano Ronaldo," he told Sport. "He is also regarded as the best player in the world now.

Hard work

"He never stops working. Sometimes, when we ask him to slow down in order to avoid injury, he wants to work even harder.

"You give him some task and he wants more. This is what I like about him most, as well as the way he treats people."

The former Brazil coach now believes Ronaldo has not only hit the same heights as Ronaldinho but surpassed the Brazilian superstar.

"I know both well," said Scolari. "Some time ago I was hoping that Cristiano might reach Ronaldinho's level and that time has come.

"He is the best in the world - as a personality, as a sportsman, as a member of the national team and as a young lad whose progress I have been following in the past years."

Portugal will face the Czech Republic, Turkey and co-hosts Switzerland at Euro 2008 and although Scolari expects a stern test qualifying from Group A, he reckons his side are capable of reaching the final again after losing to Greece as hosts four years ago.

"I think we are in a very even group," he said. "You cannot say these or those are favourites.

"There are 16 of Europe's top teams in the competition and if one of them starts to speak about themselves as favourites, they can easily be surprised by not advancing from the group.

Final target

"We have big potential and we realise that," Scolari added. "We believe in ourselves. It took some time before we found the right attitude and now we are mentally a strong team.

"Our qualification campaign was not easy at all and I would say that a few years ago the team would not have coped with it. It has been the Euro 2004 final that has brought us the positive effect.

"We would like to get as far as possible at Euro 2008, and in my opinion, we can get to the final, although it means we would have to beat several very tough teams on the way.

"There is no team going to the tournament that will go there on holiday. Every team wants to reach the final."