Giggs backs Cris for World player of the year award

Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs believes his team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win the 2007 Fifa World Player of the Year award.

Ronaldo has been selected on the shortlist for the prestigious accolade, along with AC Milan's Kaka and Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

The Portuguese winger has been in irrepressible form, scoring 23 times for United last season and taking his total for the current campaign to 11 on Tuesday with a powerful free-kick against his old club Sporting Lisbon.

Ronaldo, 22, also boasts 20 goals in 51 appearances for Portugal, having steered his side through the Euro 2008 qualifiers with some impressive performances.

"I think he would be a worthy recipient of the world footballer of the year," said Giggs.

"It is not just the quality of his game. His consistency over the last 12 to 18 months has been unbelievable.

"He seems to score in every other game for Portugal as well. People forget that."

The Fifa award will be presented at a gala dinner in Zurich on Dec 17 and is voted for by the managers and captains of the national teams of the world governing body's member countries.

Kaka, who is expected to be confirmed as the winner of the Ballon d'Or (Golden Ball) ahead of Ronaldo in Paris on Sunday, is the hot favourite for the Fifa award.

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