Cristiano Ronaldo has declared himself the best player in the world and claimed he does not need any awards to prove it.
The Manchester United star lost out to AC Milan's Brazilian playmaker Kaka in the battle to be crowned European Footballer of the Year and FIFA World Player of the Year.
Kaka beat Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi by a landslide to claim both awards but the United winger, who has maintained his sparkling form this season with 27 goals in 29 matches, reckons he is the unofficial No.1.
"I don't need to demonstrate that I am the No.1 in the world," said Ronaldo. "Over the nine months of the season the work you do will show who really is the best. If I am named the best in the world, it won't be a surprise to me.
Advertisement
Click Here!
"I'm 23 now and I never believed I would find myself in such a privileged position in the world of football, playing at the highest level for a club of United's standing.
"But now I am fully prepared for the biggest challenges that lie ahead for me as a player. I want to win everything - the Premier League, the Champions League and Euro 2008, because I am very ambitious."
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has already endorsed Ronaldo's claim to be the best player in the world on current form and has hailed as "amazing" his star player's goal-scoring form for the second season running.
Ronaldo notched 23 goals last term and has already surpassed that with a third of the campaign remaining, something Fergie believes makes him worthy of the title of world's best player. Ronaldo is already closing in on George Best's record 32-goal tally for a United winger in a season, set in 1967-68, a feat which saw the Old Trafford legend crowned European Footballer of the Year.
With Ronaldo only five goals shy of that tally and with 14 games left for United in the Premier League, in addition to Champions League and FA Cup duties, the Portuguese has every chance of beating the total of Best (left) and setting a new record.
Ronaldo has improved on his goal return every year since he joined United in the summer of 2003 as a virtual unknown at the age of 18. He managed six goals in his first season, nine the next and 12 the season after that.
But it was last term when Ronaldo turned on the style to scoop every gong going, including the PFA Player of the Year and Footballer of the Year awards, which he looks set to retain.
Despite his success at United and deserved status as their most influential player, Ronaldo has repeated his desire to one day play in Spain - and also revealed his admiration for Italian football.
"I am certain over my desire to play in Spain at some stage," said Ronaldo.
"But that is not significant at the moment. I love playing for United and I am very happy in England. Italy is another league that is very attractive to me."
Despite being one of the most fouled players in the Premier League, Ronaldo insisted he is not deliberately targeted by opponents.
"I suffer many kicks, but I don't think that my rivals have a desire to injure me," said Ronaldo, who was 23 on Tuesday.
"My birthday was special," he added. "I was on international duty with the Portugal squad and without my family, but I was with good companions so I was content."
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário