Ribery is the next Zidane and Cantona rolled into one

Good point. The two are very different, for one Ronaldo is very direct and when others say quick, it is across the ground. Ribery on the other hand is two footed (sublime and unique in this day and age) and his skills come to the fore in close - it would be interesting to know the number of assist versus goals scored. But let me reiterate two different palyers. I agree further with LImpet#22 and G Russell, money is not the true indicator. The point made by Fink towards the end of his article regarding inspiration is true in any sport - what sets the great players apart from the rest is their ability to lead and lift the performance of those around them in the big games. The opportunity to observe Zidane up close can only inspire Ribery greater heights.

ps glad no issuesRobbo. don't wont to take limpets/SJs crown ;)

without trying to defelct the thread too much on what Arsenal need to do... mainly because it's the same as what they should have done 3 seasons ago and buy a central defender, and tougher midfielder or two. this article sums up nicely, so i wont bother trying too pretend i thought of it all and "paraphrase" it (after all this is a reputable blog not a uni assignment).... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/arsenal/5287048/Arsenal-What-should-Arsene-Wenger-do-next.html ... wasnt there a story in the papers not so long back that Arsene said he almost signed him aswell? but i guess all the big cradle snatching clubs were probably following him, and all the other nippers, at the time. i used to similarlly dislike klinsmann - but when he played for Spurs his interviews on the press was amazing and it became hard to dislike him. even for an Arsenal fan. oh i agree about totti. great player, horrible celebration. there was a rumour on the guardian that berbatov might be sold for Ibrahimovic (er spelling might be off but the Swedish inter player) - isnt that just one "lazy" player for another?

Whiskymac No issues, I was just highlighting my view is more on the player than the historics. If I was Ronaldo's confident, manager, father etc, I too would ask him to cut out his simulation, he is that good he doesn't need it. But.... it's in his character. Being a Derby fan, my team doesn't get hurt by Ronaldo too much. I'm not immume to it all, I used to love watching Totti play, but now everytime I see him score & puts his thumb in his mouth, it just revives bad memories (WC06). Now Ronaldo playing under Wenger for Arsenal, WOW what a thought, I think maybe the result on Wednesday morning may have reversed. I just love the way Arsenal play, they just need a Tony Adams type mongrel player in attack & defence, grind out those boring 1-0 win occassionally.

sorry Robbos, been out and havent beenavoiding your questions. firstly i honestly was joking regarding Hull. of course he would improve the team and probably any team he played for. i thought that was obvious but then again emails and blogging aren't always the best medium for that. i also thought i covered the dont know him thing in a post. but that's Ok too. just a bit of fun at the end of the day. for the record, and so i dont upset any manc suporters further. 1. i think he is a great player and was particularly outstanding last year. 2. i have never met him but did live in portugal once and love my frango as much as the next man. 3. it's his posturing annoys the hell out of me. and yes the rooney wink was 'bad' as was his slave comments. and a list of other antics, carrying ons (but i also found rivaldo's clutching face antics in 2002 annoying. go figure, i am not a fan of "simulation") 4. towser's right of course, suporting arsenal i have had my fill of losing to him. same goes to giggs and rooney. 5. if he played for Arsenal i would be his most ardent fan. it's not so much tall poppy syndrome as not my tall poppy syndrome. 6. hope we are good now.

Pip, I always knew under all that Bravdo, that you are a wise footballing man despite your AFL handicaps. Yes I agree over the last couple of years Ronaldo is far becoming more of a team player.

Robbos actualy, I just remembered, the other big change I've noticed over the last 18 to 24 months, is that he is far more willing to bring team mates into the game than he might have been when he was a bit younger (which is a fairly natural development) - no doubt that would be Fergie's influence!! That probably was the last piece of the jigsaw for him in perhaps becoming the most complete player ever.

Robbos I think you know my views on the matter pretty well - I have a tough time warming to him (like plenty of people!), but as a footballer, he is just on another planet. My respect for him has grown a bit more over the last 18 months or so having witnessed his ability to display so many different facets - to such an extent it borders on the ridiculous. Everyone know about his skills and flair - but that's just the start: his strength and athleticism is top shelf; his tactical awareness and decision making is top shelf, his finishing obviously, but then there is also his bravery and determination (that you normally don't see in these sorts of players) - his willingness to get his head to a ball where angels would fear to tread, and meet it at full pace and with such force that the ball nearly goes through the net - that's why I mentioned Vidic! Not wanting to downplay Kaka and Messi (who are also top shelf), but you won't see Kaka excelling in some of the situations in which you will find Ronaldo excelling. He really can do it all.

Pip, good summary on Ronaldo, where you regard him as a complete player, yes to me that is why he is better than Messi, he is far more complete than Messi. Showpony, yeah I could live with that, but what I'm trying to say is some of these bloggers tend to grudlingly admire his great skill but jump onto any sort arrogance he shows. A good example was Man u's third goal, what I saw was a superb bit of skill to set up a counterattack by Ronaldo & then aided by some excellent play by 2 of his teammates before he again finished the move with some good finishing. Only 2 players on this planet comes remotely close to Ronaldo & it's Messi & Kaka. But I rate Ronaldo higher is that he is more of a complete player than both those players.

A pay raise?? Is there enough gold in Fort Knox??!!

Mate, have to admit you have no clue about Ferguson's team of late. How can you judge Hargreaves as a flop. He is injured. Whenever he has played he has played like a Champion and had a big hand in last season's trophies. Ribery is good but will never be as good as Ronaldo or Kaka for that matter. United have plenty of big names. Even if Ronaldo was to leave there are Commando in Chief waiting in the club to take over the mantle of the team's star player. Rooney could shine even more just like how Ronaldo benefited from Ruud's departure. A world class team can be formed around Tevez, if he were to stay. Anderson is another who can be the lead others could follow. Agreed Ribery can play effectively in the wing, but so can Valencia and David Silva. Both are younger and as good. Ashley Young or Lennon are other english options equally good. What Man United will need if Ronaldo leaves is a good crosser and dribbler of the ball. Doesn't have to be star player. A player in the level of the four I mentioned would just as good. Ribery will be too pricey for Man United. He cost Bayern 25 M euros. At this exchange rate he will easily cost GB 40m. That won't be an option. Moreoever Ronaldo won't go this season either. He is winning and is the best player of the best team in the world. All he needs is a pay raise.

I'm embarassed to admit I've only just read the article. It's hard to disagree with the statement about CR being a show pony (as much as it gets up Robbos' craw!) As Tom Hafey used to say - too much finessing!! The incredible thing is that Ronaldo is such a complete player (probably the most complete ever), that he can do the finessing and the direct stuff equally well in equal measure. In fact, apart from the centre-half possie, I suspect he can play absolutely every position on the field as well as any of his current team mates (and even then, in a crowded box he gives big, tough, mean Vidic a good run for his money!!)

It's amazing he holds that record 8 years on (although not altogether surprising).

Ronaldo's mooted move to Real Madrid has been valued at 75 million pound (85 million Euro) Ribery is valued at - 62.5 million pounds (70 million Euro) then what would Zidane be worth at todays prices? Thats still a nice little earner for Man U. Zidane still holds the record for the biggest transfer fee - 46 million pounds (66 million Euro) to Real Madrid in 2001. He would have been the worlds first 100 million Euro transfer if he was 10 years younger.

Interesting hypothetical (would the likes of Ronaldo greatly improve the likes of Hull). I think there is a fair bit to what Towser is saying - the lower standard of quality surrounding Ronaldo would work as a two way street reducing his effectiveness: 1. they not having the skill and nous to get it to him at the right moment and in the right place; and 2. they being a million miles behind his thinking as to where they should be at the precise moment. On top of that, one can anticipate an over reliance on Ronaldo's mecurial powers, either favouring one wing, or wanting to use him to fill pretty much every gap in the team (which would be considerable), and thus allowing the opposition to counter him far more easily than might be the case in Man Utd (where generally there are more options and players willing to put up their hand). Having said that, if he's lining up a free from beyond the D, or he's meeting a Geovanni cross like a steam train coming through a crowded box - one expects he'd be just as effective.

Robbos Should read Ronaldo against Arsenal. Too many early mornings.

Robbos There is in reality only one determining factor to measure a players effectiveness on the pitch. Is he a match breaker? Both Ronaldo & Messi are. Ronaldo against Chelsea twice.Messi setting up the goal this morning for Barca. But both would struggle at Hull as compared to ManU & Barcelona,simply because the team equation in relation to playing standard/nous is at an all round higher level.

Millster, Messi is without doubt a great player & definately a player who I would rank alongside Ronaldo, but in what facet of the game would you rate him greater than Ronaldo, maybe his vison, though not by much, their individual dribbling skill would be about the same. But where Ronaldo tends to leave Messi behind is his shooting ability, his freekicks, his heading, his ability to play as a winger or a lone striker or a midfielder. But I appreciate it all about opinion. Whiskymac, if you don't think a player like Ronaldo would not chamge the dynamics of a Hull city, then you are surely watching a different game to me. Even with all it's superstars at Man U, they are still a different team without Ronaldo, he makes a very good team Great. Please tell me why you don't like Ronaldo as a person? You know him well do you or are you listening to the media, who are still peeved with the 'Rooney send off" or maybe his diving, look at Droba this morning, even Messi tried to pull a freekick, have a look at Gerrard everytime he is in the penalty area, see how Henry got France into the WC06 final, they all do it, but the media likes to stick to Ronaldo, why, oh that's right he got Rooney sent off for stamping.

Excellent points, Greg Russell, I agree that silly money cannot be used as an guage of player talent, whether payed as transfer fees, or wages. I must say if I had a choice between a picture of flowers or a picture of a nude women I know which I would pay more for, however!

Ribery would be filling in a position at Manchester United, not a player. Playing Frank in the team would mean different tactics, and different possibilities, as the two play different games. It could turn out great, and it could end terribly. Real Madrid is the most likely place for Cristiano Ronaldo to ply his trade, considering it suits his style. Barcelona would not be likely to put an offer to the player, unless they felt they could change him dramatically (which will never happen). Same for Ribery, if he were to go to Spain. I highly rate Ribery, and have for a long time. His display against Barca in the quarter-final second leg - as an example - was a real showpiece, and would be likely to impress even the biggest skeptic. Would be great to see him displayed on the larger stage (considering Manchester United is covered better in the global media).