Cristiano Ronaldo - the former diver, the youngster who winked after he got Rooney sent off - has matured into arguably the world's best attacking wide-midfielder in the short space of five months. I know that this is based purely on his performances in the English Premiership and a few games in the Champions League, but allow me to explain.
Ryan Giggs was hailed as the 'new Georgie Best' when he first burst on the scene.
Young, quick and on the wing - those were enough reasons for journalists to compare him to Georgie. But Giggs was never one to torment a defender. His pace, close control and body swerve were, and still are, the trademarks of his game.
Giggs's goal against Arsenal in the 1999 FA Cup semi-final is a perfect snap shot of his game. Taking the ball at pace at a defender, skipping inside one, then outside another, and back inside before blasting a left-footed shot into the roof of the net - that is pure Giggs.
Best on the other hand, took as much pleasure out of scoring a great goal as he did in tormenting a defender. He would keep going at the same player, over and over, showing the crowd how easy it was to destroy this player in front of his worshipping fans.
Best also had pace, skill, close control and a body swerve of note, but he also had the desire to 'show off' for want of a better expression. He believed he was there to perform for the manager and for the crowd.
Cristiano has that same desire to express himself. He has matured enough to pass the ball a bit more, and to cross the ball earlier - but he still has the urge to torment a defender.
He looks almost like a matador facing an angry bull - his red shirt the flag for the studs of the defender. He has been the most fouled player in the English Premiership this season - and there are those who say he goes down too easily - but there are times when he doesn't get the free-kicks he deserves for really being kicked.
But he gets up, gets the ball and goes straight back at his man. This is courageous. He knows that he will be kicked and yet he keeps going back.
Courage is a quality that George Best had in abundance. He would take the tackles and he would also make his share of them - he would never pull out. Ronaldo doesn't tackle - I don't think he knows how - but it is not something we should judge him on.
His ability to lift his team this season, his prowess in front of goal, his fast feet, his control and pace are all things we should acknowledge for what they are worth.
He is a player you would pay to watch. At 21 years of age, he really has his best days in front of him (baring serious injury - touch wood) and he will go on to be the best player in the world in the very near future.
He is the jewel in the United crown, and if he stays fit this season, he will be the single reason why United could topple Chelsea at the end of it all. Read more...
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