Incomparable Ronaldo has world at his twinkling feet

Cristiano Ronaldo has even caught the eye of my missus. “Who’s he?” she asked as we watched television the other day. Good-looking and brilliant. You’ve got to hate him, right? Well, no, you don’t. You’ve got to admire him because he’s gone from being one of the most resented players in the country to one of the most respected. It’s a testament to his character and his talent.

His father died last year and with the stick he got after the World Cup finals — and even before, for being a diver and for those stepovers — it would have been easy for him to give up on England and move somewhere more sympathetic. Instead, he spoke with his twinkling feet.

For my money, he’s the best player in the world. Who has had a better year? He was outstanding in the second half of last season for Manchester United, and only Fabio Cannavaro, the Italy captain, was superior at the World Cup. Kaká is doing well for AC Milan, but they’ve been indifferent and Ronaldinho was poor in Germany.

Thierry Henry’s supporters may disagree, but for the first time in Premiership history, I think the finest footballer on the planet is plying his trade in England. Ronaldo’s so good right now, he’s making even Wayne Rooney look average. I think back to watching Johan Cruyff and how his “Cruyff turn” was a thing of wonder. Ronaldo has so many sensational flicks and tricks, we take them almost for granted.

He has as much skill as Ronaldinho, is better in the air and will get more goals. He’s got so many weapons, so few weaknesses, and he’s only 21. He should get even better. How good will he be in 2007 if he improves by only 5 per cent? And if he’s dominant in England, what would he be like in Spain or Italy, where defenders are less rugged and would give him more space?

That’s why he’d be in the £40 million bracket if he was transferred. He’s worth more than Rooney, because with Rooney there would be doubts about his ability to settle abroad. I’d bet that the Old Trafford crowd would be more reluctant to part with the Portuguese than the Englishman on present form.

Does the diving make him any less gifted? Of course not. He’s not exactly unique in going down too easily and, without excusing him, it’s an understandable way of protecting himself. If he tried to stand up to every tackle, defenders would clatter him because, when he’s in full flow, there’s no other way of stopping him.

Until recently, Ronaldo reminded me of an English kid who had a trial at Marseilles when I played there. In the warm-up, he performed amazing ball-juggling tricks. Then we played a practice match and he was so useless he was removed after 15 minutes.

All the skill but no end product, no understanding of how to channel his talent and play for the team. A circus act. Ronaldo was a little like that, but he’s matured so much and so quickly. Now he’s a fabulous individual and a brilliant team player. That is the key to his improvement.

Sure, there’ll always be some degree of frustration, because he’s the kind of player who tries things that won’t come off. But now he understands the game better and doesn’t overplay. He’s capable of anything as long as he avoids serious injury, keeps his discipline and doesn’t slip back into those self-indulgent old habits.

Arsène Wenger has grabbed all the credit for developing youngsters in the past few years, but Ronaldo’s development is a tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson’s coaching and man-management abilities. The kid’s own determination should not be played down. Footballers are normally lazy, they’re not good listeners or learners. Ronaldo has learnt and progressed and deserves congratulations.

I’m excited to see just how much more is to come from him.

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