[CROoney]

Cruyff last night paid Cristiano Ronaldo the ultimate compliment - by saying he is
better than Manchester United legends Denis Law and George Best.

Former Holland and Ajax superstar Cruyff believes 35-goal Ronaldo is the best
player in the world after his stunning season at Old Trafford.

Cruyff, a three-time European Footballer of the Year, says the only player whose
goal record can be compared to Ronaldo is Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - but
admits the Dutch league is not as strong as the Premier League.

He said: "My favourite for the Golden Boot is Ronaldo.

Huntelaar has scored a lot of goals, but also has the handicap because the value
of goals in Holland is different.

"For me, Ronaldo is above the rest and if he keeps scoring in this rhythm and
stays in this sort of form then he will prove that he is the best.

"Ronaldo is better than George Best and Denis Law, who were two brilliant and
great players in the history of United.

"But Ronaldo is 22 and with his quality and progression in the game, I believe he
will be even better and win many more prizes for himself and his club.

"For him to be so good takes dedication.

But he also needs support from his team-mates and his coach, Sir Alex Ferguson.

"The only thing that I see as a weakness in his game is the number of assists,
but he is young enough and has the right coach to improve in that respect.

"He scores great goals and now also spectacular free-kicks, but to be the
complete forward he must provide more assists as his record can be improved."

 

[futbol]

He deserves all the credit. Let him have the Fame.

 

[sparkic]

That is a huge compliment! Well done Ronaldo! Keep it up

 

[Jazz 16]

Thats some compliment from the great man himself.
Cruyff was up there with the Best's, Pele's and Maradona's
and for him to say this has some relevance.
I find it funny that he mentioned Ronaldo's assists.
I presume this article came out before his hat trick of assists
against Villa. But how the hell is Ronaldo suppose to get more assists
if its HIM that is doing all the scoring. His 35 goals this season have
meant that he cant have got assists fro any of them. Id take the
goals over the assists any day ;-)

But anyway, Ronaldo WILL be up there with Best and Law
provided he stays at the club for a decent amount of years.
Bit too early to say though ;-)

 

[fazman]

early to say better he has to do it over a number of years but on current form is well up there with the great player at the club

 

[Harvo]

I don't get his comment on Assists, he got 18 last season, 3 in our last game against Villa, what more does he want?

 

[Nigel'sChin]

yeah. hes doing all the scoring. where does he goes to get the assist? i mean only he scores? weird.

 

[versa]

Almost everyday we have a fresh thread on Ronaldo. Lol. But who is complaining with the rich vein of form he is in.

36 goals now after the Roma game and still counting. What a goal he had. Totally not in the picture, he suddenly darted forward from nowhere to head powerfully to score from the box. Awesome and jaw dropping. Perhaps Fergie did read K4T's thread on proposing him to be an outright striker after all. I thought he does find more space to roam than on the wings where at least 2, 3 players are there to stop his crosses or progresses.

And with a maximum of 10 games remaining for the season, assuming we will be in Moscow, it is very possible for Ronaldo to surpass the goal record of Denis Law. Just start scoring a brace or a hat trick pretty soon and you bet the fans will be stirring with unease coupled with nervous anticipation for sure.

Yes, I don't understand the part on his assists too. For a top scorer to do his assists he had, it is already quite incredible. And something just occurred to me as I am doing this posting. Just imagine........... what if Rooney or others had scored from his 'failed assists'?!!

Viva Ronaldo!!!!

 

[moondog]

From Versa:

"Yes, I don't understand the part on his assists too. For a top scorer to do his assists he had, it is already quite incredible. And something just occurred to me as I am doing this posting. Just imagine........... what if Rooney or others had scored from his 'failed assists'?!!"

I don't believe the assists stat for one minute. I hate to keep harping on this, but until assists become as important as goals to detemine a scoring champion, the stat will always be suspect. It needs a proper definition and review to ensure that they are allocated properly.

As well, I don't think any player has ever 'claimed' an assist. They sure do in the NHL, where they do count - equal to goals...