Evra & Ferguson : CR as good as Pele and Maradona

CRISTIANO RONALDO can go on to be as big as Maradona and Pele reckons team-mate Patrice Evra after a breathtaking night at Old Trafford. Winger Ronaldo scored twice and starred again alongside the resurgent Alan Smith in Manchester United’s 7-1 humiliation of Roma.

That swept Alex Ferguson’s rampant side into the Champions League semi-finals. And left-back Evra said: “There is no question at this moment, Ronaldo is the best player in the world.

“The great thing about him is, he doesn’t just do it in training but out on the pitch when it matters. He doesn’t do it for himself, he does it for the team and the fans. He is unbelievable. Ronaldo can do the same as Maradona, Pele and George Best. He can be like them.”

There is little doubt the Portuguese star, 22, is heading for an armful of personal awards this term. But Ronaldo said: “It’s always my aim to be regarded among the best players in the league or even the world. But I’m still young and I’m still improving. These awards are not the most valuable thing for me. My focus is on helping my club to be successful.”

Boss : Cris can rival greats

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Cristiano Ronaldo could one day be rated alongside all-time greats Pele and Diego Maradona. Ferguson has tied the Portuguese winger to a new five-year deal at Manchester United and already believes he is fast emerging as the finest player in the world today.

But Ferguson reckons Ronaldo's next challenge should be to establish himself as one of the best players in history."At 22, he has the same skill factor as Maradona and Pele," hailed the Manchester United boss.

"He is one of the best signings I have ever made. The measurement of his improvement this year is astronomical. In terms of top flight football, where do you find a winger who has scored 20 goals? It is incredible."

"Without question, Cristiano is getting to the level of best player in the world. Thereafter, it is up to others to decide whether he is as good as Maradona and Pele. That is the challenge in front of him now."

Ronaldo angered many English fans at the World Cup last summer and has been jeered by opposing fans throughout this season, but Ferguson believes he thrives on the pressure. Ferguson nevertheless felt it necessary to have a chat with Ronaldo before the season started about what the campaign might hold in store for him.

"We had dinner with him in Portugal and stressed this had happened before to David Beckham," he revealed. "There is nothing wrong with booing, we get booed at most places, but he had the nerve to handle it. "He still gets a bit of it but that is only because he is a great player."

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