Many of the blogs I have written recently have been about one man; Cristiano Ronaldo. As much as I like Darren Fletcher and Ji-Sung Park et al, they don’t quite attract attention like Ronaldo does.
This blog is the result of numerous comments people have left in recent weeks with reference to Ronaldo’s ability. I have seen numerous comments berating Ronaldo and lauding Lionel Messi as the best player in the world. Are these people for real?
So, it’s plain and simple, Ronaldo vs. Messi.
Tomorrow morning, Cristiano Ronaldo will wake up to be declared as the European Footballer of the Year. I think it’s safe to say Ronaldo will be gob smacked by this achievement as he seems like such a modest and quiet guy. He will join an elite band of Manchester United legends as only Best, Law and Charlton have held the title whilst playing for United.
It would be boring if I was to simply list the achievements of Ronaldo as we all know what he is capable of, what he has done and, love him or hate him, it’s impossible to deny how effective he is.
So, to ensure fairness and to avoid being branded a completely biased Ronaldo loving idiot, I accept that Messi undoubtedly has a God given talent. Whilst I would be absolutely delighted if he ever joined United (I know this is never going to happen but I can dream), I wouldn’t swap him for Ronaldo.
‘Messidona’ is an incredible dribbler and has already replicated two of the most famous goals scored by possibly the greatest ever footballer, Maradona.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=x0cVCq8rsiY&feature=related - Remind you of Maradona’s ‘real’ goal against England?
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=frnyf666z0s – I think this is self explanatory.
He also became the first Barcelona player to hit a hat-trick in the El Clásico since the 1993/1994 season – the previous player weas the legandary Romario. And whilst he has the talent, enthusaism and ability to rightly be described as world class and one of the best players in the world, I can honestly say that he isn’t a better player than Ronaldo.
For impact, goals, effectiveness and consistency, there’s only one ‘best’ player in the world.
Am I right? Who is better and who would you rather have in your team?
Dressed to impress: Ronaldo arrives for the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony
Burnley celebrate famous win
Burnley's giant-killing spree in the Carling Cup continued after a 2-0 win over Arsenal's rookies in the quarter-final at Turf Moor.
Kevin McDonald struck in each half as Owen Coyle's men followed up victories over Fulham and Chelsea with a richly-deserved success over the Gunners.
The Championship side took the lead after just six minutes when McDonald slotted into the net after Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski had failed to collect Chris Eagles' low cross.
Gunners striker Nicklas Bendtner was denied by Brian Jensen either side of McDonald's opener, and the Burnley keeper also made a smart save to thwart Carlos Vela.
Fran Merida came close to a brilliant solo goal early in the second half before McDonald, who scored his first goal for Burnley at the weekend, grabbed his second of the night on 57 minutes.
He anticipated Eagles' quick throw-in and, after getting the better of Mark Randall, flicked a nonchalant finish past Fabianski and inside the far post.
Though Jensen kept his side in it on occasions, Burnley's football was more than a match for a fledgling Arsenal side that had ripped apart Sheffield United and Wigan in previous rounds.
The match was locally billed as 'Capital Punishment III' after Chelsea and Fulham were put to the sword in previous rounds - and it lived up to expectations.
Yet Arsenal almost took the lead before McDonald made the breakthrough when Merida released Bendtner, however Jensen stayed alert and diverted the striker's effort to safety.
Burnley took the lead in the sixth minute after Chris Eagles swung in a superb cross from the right and Arsenal could not clear their lines after Fabianski failed to gather the ball.
McDonald took full advantage to score from the edge of the six-yard box to put the the second-tier side in the driving seat - and they never looked back.
Arsenal were stung and Bendtner sprung the offside trap in the ninth minute after a good through-ball from Vela but Jensen was equal to his effort.
Then Martin Paterson skipped away from Kieran Gibbs but his shot carried little power and the goalkeeper was able to make a comfortable save.
Burnley were dictating the pace against their inexperienced opponents and Robbie Blake tested Fabianski in the 28th minute.
The young Arsenal goalkeeper looked nervous and spilled his effort, only to recover in time and take the ball off Paterson's toes.
Paterson should have extended Burnley's lead when he stole in on the blindside but only succeeded in rattling a shot against Fabianski's body.
Arsenal responded in the 37th minute and Bendtner sent Randall clear with a clever flick. Randall had only Jensen to beat but the goalkeeper stood tall to make the block.
The goalkeeper was again proving difficult to beat after an impressive display in the victory against Chelsea.
It looked as though Vela would equalise in the 41st minute but Jensen cleared the danger.
Merida came close after 49 minutes when he weaved his way into the penalty area but failed to test Jensen, curling his effort just wide.
Burnley extended their lead in the 57th minute with McDonald again showing a cool head when needed.
Randall was caught napping when Eagles delivered a throw-in and McDonald raced clear before curling a delightful shot into the far corner with the outside of his right boot.
This was an uphill task now for Arsenal and Wenger responded by bringing on Jay Simpson for Jack Wilshere in a bid to turn things around.
Simpson had shown his potential in the last round with a brace in the victory against Wigan.
However, Paterson should have made it 3-0 in the 65th minute only to send a soft header into Fabianski's arms following a cross from Blake.
Burnley were happy to knock the ball around and keep possession but Arsenal still looked dangerous going forward.
Bendtner should have pulled a goal back with three minutes remaining but the striker failed to capitalise on a good ball from Vela to put the seal on a miserable night for the Gunners.
| Burnley | Team Statistics | Arsenal |
| 2 | Goals | 0 |
| 1 | 1st Half Goals | 0 |
| 8 | Shots on Target | 9 |
| 3 | Shots off Target | 4 |
| 3 | Blocked Shots | 1 |
| 3 | Corners | 1 |
| 13 | Fouls | 12 |
| 3 | Offsides | 2 |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 68.2 | Passing Success | 81 |
| 35 | Tackles | 23 |
| 80 | Tackles Success | 82.6 |
| 39.6 | Possession | 60.4 |
| 52.1 | Territorial Advantage | 47.9 |
If he wants to go, they should let him go.
That's my opinion.
And if you're wondering what I'm talking about, then you really haven't been clued on this whole summer have you?
Cristiano Ronaldo.
The player who signed a lucrative deal with one of the world's richest clubs not that long ago and now is being courted by another club that is of similar stature.
To cut a long story short, he's wanted by Real Madrid but Manchester United's owners would rather see him rot in the reserves (which made him even more upset, mind you) and the young man's even gone on to say nothing about the whole situation throughout Euro 2008 which has pretty much frustrated every single MU fan around the world.
He's also gone on to say that he's only thinking about Portugal's progress in the tournament and has successfully ducked all the questions concerning his footballing future after the summer.
Here's a little thought for all those MU fans out there.
Sir Alex Ferguson has always said that no one is bigger than the club, not even himself. Remember Jaap Stam, Ruud Van Nistlerooy or even one Golden Balls?
If one Ronaldo goes, then so be it. It's a team game after all, right?
But then again, it's only an opinion.
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