It was a result most saw coming a mile away, and indeed, Cristiano Ronaldo's sensational 2008, on an individual and team level, made him the undisputed candidate to win FIFA World Player of the Year yesterday evening.
Having already won the Ballon d'Or, the 23-year-old's superhuman 42 goals in 2007-08, in addition to Manchester United's Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup triumphs made the Portuguese the only man for the award. It was almost as if he was just too good, so much so that his winning is not such an event, because everybody saw it coming.
He has truly been a victim of his own success, as noted by Goal.com USA: "Whether you like him as a person or not, Cristiano Ronaldo's performances on the field as a player in 2008 were unmatched by any other footballer in the world," wrote Shane Evans. "His goals were vital in Manchester United's double campaign. His inventive and menacing play allowed for the rest of his team to see more space allowing for further attacking opens.
"Without him, they surely wouldn't have gone as far as they did. No one came close to making that kind of impact and Ronaldo is clearly deserving of such a prestigious award."
Naim Beneddra of Goal.com France also noted that Ronaldo may not be the most popular, but his calibre made him as deserving a winner as there has ever been. "Of course, and like each player on planet, the Portuguese inevitably doesn't achieve the luxury of unanimous support," he wrote, before adding, "In France, he has his detractors, but overall, with the ball at his feet, he is an artist - and that nobody can deny that."
The Biggest Star
This opinion spread over to the far eastern side of Europe. "For Turkish football fans, Cristiano Ronaldo had unbelievable season last year," wrote Goal.com Turkey's Ceyhun Bayel, who spoke of his country's fear at Euro 2008 when faced with the Portugese phenom. "As Turkish football fans, our fear of Ronaldo before the Euro 2008 group stage clash shows just why he deserved this award." In Asia, Goal.com India believe the United No. 7 may now be the world's biggest football star in the sub-continent, ahead of the likes of David Beckham and Ronaldinho. "An unprecedented goal tally, numerous assists, and his sheer presence saw United through on many occasions," wrote Atishay Agarwal. "Winning the Premier League and Champions League also ensured that no one else would win this award this year.
"He was undoubtedly the best player in the world in 2008, and is now arguably the biggest star in the world of football, at least for all of India."
From Crybaby To Colossus
Michael Paterakis of Goal.com Greece reflected on how far Ronaldo has come in the past five years. "Cristiano Ronaldo's cries right after the final whistle blown by Marcus Merk in the final of EURO 2004 will never be forgotten by the Greek fans who saw the game," he wrote.
"Interestingly enough, they never seemed to sympathize with him. They were the winners, but still Ronaldo was seen as the 'crybaby'. Almost five years later, though, no one would dare to deny his talent."
Shattered Dreams
Following EURO 2008, Goal.com Spain were hopeful of one of Fernando Torres or Xavi - or even Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi - winning the award, though deep down, everybody knew that the award was destined for the Portuguese ace, who continues to deny having already agreed to join Spanish capital club, Real Madrid. "Resignation. That was the mood in the Spanish press as FIFA deemed Cristiano Ronaldo to be the best player of 2008," said Juan Lirman. "With two Spanish players and a Barcelona superstar among the five finalists - all three linked with the country that is, after all, European champion - Spain dreamed of a possible coronation for one of its own, even though deep down they expected Cristiano Ronaldo to win.
"Manchester United's title wins tipped the balance definitively in favour of the Portuguese. Nobody can blame the voters for that." Goal.com Latin America followed suit, with particular support for Argentine ace Messi, who has captured the hearts and minds of football fans worldwide with his world class showings over the last few months. "Disappointment. This word one sums up the feeling that exists in Argentina and Latin America after the true best player in the world was not recognised: this player is none other than Lionel Messi," declared an angry Martin Decaux, who argued that Ronaldo only won due to the achievements of his team, not for being the better player on individual performances.
He fumed, "Cristiano Ronaldo, who garners more antipathy than sympathy among these fans, won the prize thanks to the collective achievements of his team. Messi managed his own achievement - one that Cristiano would find hard to get in his own life - of an Olympic gold medal. But he still couldn't reach the award."
Ronaldo 2008, Messi 2009
Goal.com Netherlands chief editor Andre Trompers was in no doubt that, despite an underwhelming EURO 2008, only one man could win the FIFA gong this year. "Fully deserved," he said. "It was the year of Cristiano Ronaldo!
"However, a lot people say that Messi deserves it, just because of his excellent form in the last months. And of course, sceptics will point to Ronaldo's poor European Championship, but the final conclusion is that he was the best player of 2008!"
Ronaldo's lack of universal popularity was pointed out by France and of course Latin America. Goal.com Germany followed in the same vein, but ultimately favouring the Portuguese, while tipping Messi to storm to success in 2009. "In Germany, opinions are divided," wrote Nils Reschke. "The Nike slogan, "Hate him or love him", seems to be very much appropriate, as Cristiano Ronaldo is a polariser.
"On the football pitch he seems not to have done so, though, given his FIFA World Player of the Year award today: there remain fans of Lionel Messi, but they accept the choice that is Ronaldo. 'In 2008 Cristiano was simply better,' many of them will say... but they will always add, '2009 will be the year of Lionel Messi'."
Arrogance
While many of the German public believe Ronaldo is the deserving winner, some detractors have speculated that the success will go to the head of the winger, with outbursts such as 'Ronaldo is arrogant enough. More titles will just make him worse.'
Without doubt, there is an air of hatred for the Funchal kid and no doubt a hint of envy as well, but an overwhelming majority across the globe have admitted, perhaps grudgingly, that there could simply be no other winner.
Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com
Having already won the Ballon d'Or, the 23-year-old's superhuman 42 goals in 2007-08, in addition to Manchester United's Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup triumphs made the Portuguese the only man for the award. It was almost as if he was just too good, so much so that his winning is not such an event, because everybody saw it coming.
He has truly been a victim of his own success, as noted by Goal.com USA: "Whether you like him as a person or not, Cristiano Ronaldo's performances on the field as a player in 2008 were unmatched by any other footballer in the world," wrote Shane Evans. "His goals were vital in Manchester United's double campaign. His inventive and menacing play allowed for the rest of his team to see more space allowing for further attacking opens.
"Without him, they surely wouldn't have gone as far as they did. No one came close to making that kind of impact and Ronaldo is clearly deserving of such a prestigious award."
Naim Beneddra of Goal.com France also noted that Ronaldo may not be the most popular, but his calibre made him as deserving a winner as there has ever been. "Of course, and like each player on planet, the Portuguese inevitably doesn't achieve the luxury of unanimous support," he wrote, before adding, "In France, he has his detractors, but overall, with the ball at his feet, he is an artist - and that nobody can deny that."
The Biggest Star
This opinion spread over to the far eastern side of Europe. "For Turkish football fans, Cristiano Ronaldo had unbelievable season last year," wrote Goal.com Turkey's Ceyhun Bayel, who spoke of his country's fear at Euro 2008 when faced with the Portugese phenom. "As Turkish football fans, our fear of Ronaldo before the Euro 2008 group stage clash shows just why he deserved this award." In Asia, Goal.com India believe the United No. 7 may now be the world's biggest football star in the sub-continent, ahead of the likes of David Beckham and Ronaldinho. "An unprecedented goal tally, numerous assists, and his sheer presence saw United through on many occasions," wrote Atishay Agarwal. "Winning the Premier League and Champions League also ensured that no one else would win this award this year.
"He was undoubtedly the best player in the world in 2008, and is now arguably the biggest star in the world of football, at least for all of India."
From Crybaby To Colossus
Michael Paterakis of Goal.com Greece reflected on how far Ronaldo has come in the past five years. "Cristiano Ronaldo's cries right after the final whistle blown by Marcus Merk in the final of EURO 2004 will never be forgotten by the Greek fans who saw the game," he wrote.
"Interestingly enough, they never seemed to sympathize with him. They were the winners, but still Ronaldo was seen as the 'crybaby'. Almost five years later, though, no one would dare to deny his talent."
Shattered Dreams
Following EURO 2008, Goal.com Spain were hopeful of one of Fernando Torres or Xavi - or even Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi - winning the award, though deep down, everybody knew that the award was destined for the Portuguese ace, who continues to deny having already agreed to join Spanish capital club, Real Madrid. "Resignation. That was the mood in the Spanish press as FIFA deemed Cristiano Ronaldo to be the best player of 2008," said Juan Lirman. "With two Spanish players and a Barcelona superstar among the five finalists - all three linked with the country that is, after all, European champion - Spain dreamed of a possible coronation for one of its own, even though deep down they expected Cristiano Ronaldo to win.
"Manchester United's title wins tipped the balance definitively in favour of the Portuguese. Nobody can blame the voters for that." Goal.com Latin America followed suit, with particular support for Argentine ace Messi, who has captured the hearts and minds of football fans worldwide with his world class showings over the last few months. "Disappointment. This word one sums up the feeling that exists in Argentina and Latin America after the true best player in the world was not recognised: this player is none other than Lionel Messi," declared an angry Martin Decaux, who argued that Ronaldo only won due to the achievements of his team, not for being the better player on individual performances.
He fumed, "Cristiano Ronaldo, who garners more antipathy than sympathy among these fans, won the prize thanks to the collective achievements of his team. Messi managed his own achievement - one that Cristiano would find hard to get in his own life - of an Olympic gold medal. But he still couldn't reach the award."
Ronaldo 2008, Messi 2009
Goal.com Netherlands chief editor Andre Trompers was in no doubt that, despite an underwhelming EURO 2008, only one man could win the FIFA gong this year. "Fully deserved," he said. "It was the year of Cristiano Ronaldo!
"However, a lot people say that Messi deserves it, just because of his excellent form in the last months. And of course, sceptics will point to Ronaldo's poor European Championship, but the final conclusion is that he was the best player of 2008!"
Ronaldo's lack of universal popularity was pointed out by France and of course Latin America. Goal.com Germany followed in the same vein, but ultimately favouring the Portuguese, while tipping Messi to storm to success in 2009. "In Germany, opinions are divided," wrote Nils Reschke. "The Nike slogan, "Hate him or love him", seems to be very much appropriate, as Cristiano Ronaldo is a polariser.
"On the football pitch he seems not to have done so, though, given his FIFA World Player of the Year award today: there remain fans of Lionel Messi, but they accept the choice that is Ronaldo. 'In 2008 Cristiano was simply better,' many of them will say... but they will always add, '2009 will be the year of Lionel Messi'."
Arrogance
While many of the German public believe Ronaldo is the deserving winner, some detractors have speculated that the success will go to the head of the winger, with outbursts such as 'Ronaldo is arrogant enough. More titles will just make him worse.'
Without doubt, there is an air of hatred for the Funchal kid and no doubt a hint of envy as well, but an overwhelming majority across the globe have admitted, perhaps grudgingly, that there could simply be no other winner.
Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com