Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ronaldo backs himself for top awards

Pa
Friday 24 October 2008 05:21 EDT
Comments
(GETTY IMAGES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Cristiano Ronaldo believes he deserves to be crowned both European and World Player of the Year.

The Portugal forward is one of the favourites to scoop the awards after leading Manchester United to a Champions League and Premier League double last season.

Ronaldo finished runner-up to Kaka for the 2007 Ballon D'Or, and was third in the running for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, behind Kaka and Lionel Messi.

The 23-year-old faces stiff competition from the likes of Barcelona playmaker Messi and Liverpool forward Fernando Torres, who also impressed in the Premier League and in Europe.

"There cannot be just one candidate," Ronaldo said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. "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?"

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, meanwhile, is hoping he and his Manchester United team-mates can make history this season by defending the Champions League trophy.

"History sooner or later must change," Ronaldo said. "It could happen already this year.

"Manchester have the potential, players, motivation to win the Champions League twice in a row.

"The team is more mature, has more experience and (Dimitar) Berbatov has arrived.

"We have to believe in ourselves. I hope to soon find the form that I had last season in order to do better than in the 2007-08 campaign."

Ronaldo, who was strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer, is fully focused on succeeding again at United.

"The summer has passed and what I had to say I said it," he said.

"I am at Manchester and I want to win again with Manchester."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in