Whilst the jury is out on whether Cristiano Ronaldo is fit to clean Messi’s boots as this generations best footballer, the people who vote for the World Player of the Year gong think that Ronaldo is currently better. Of course any award based on subjective criteria and popularity rather than cold statistical data doesn’t always return satisfactory conclusions but this year it seems about right.
Ronaldo has made 109 appearences for Portugal, scoring 47 goals. Currently his nations joint top-scorer, a record sure to be broken this year. Making his debut in 2003 he has represented his country in five major tournaments with the FIFA 2014 World Cup becoming his third. As with Messi he is missing the international success that set aside the Worlds greatest footballers from the rest but perhaps this year could change that. The 29-year-old could yet feature at another World Cup but time is surely running out for success at International level.
Portugal reached the final of Euro 2004 and the semi-finals of Euro 2012 were Ronaldo finished joint-top scorer. Ronaldo scored all four of his teams two-legged play-off match against Sweden, ensuring their qualification for the World Cup.
Source: DSG
