Cristiano Ronaldo’s fourth Ballon d’Or is certainly fully deserved. There are those who would disagree and insist that Lionel Messi is the best footballer on the planet. But it’s an argument that can have no winners – it all depends on your own particular perspective of football: Do you think the world’s best player is just an individual or is his role as part of the team even more important?
For me, it’s the latter, which is why Ronaldo was undoubtedly the best footballer on show in 2016. Not only were his performances consistently good, scoring 48 goals in 52 games for club and country, he also played an influential role in Real Madrid winning the European Champions League and his leadership was critical in Portugal winning the 2016 European Championships.
Even though he limped off injured in the final, television pictures of him stalking the touchline and urging, encouraging his teammates, emphasised his commitment. He may be a fantastic individual footballer, but he’s always aware of his role as part of the greater whole.
Who can forget how sensationally Ronaldo sprang to prominence at Manchester United? His exploits at the Old Trafford club saw him win the Ballon d’Or for the first time in 2008 – and, after transferring to Real Madrid, he won it again in 2013 and 2014. This week’s award means he is just one behind Messi, and you wouldn’t want to bet against the Portuguese equalling that record next year.
The one thing about Ronaldo that has impressed me this year is in how he has changed his game. Now 31 years old, he’s getting on a bit and, as all footballers know, the first thing that goes is the speed.
But Ronaldo has compensated for that by altering his approach - he’s dispensed with the dashing, darting runs and replaced it with intelligence and anticipation, insightful game management, clever positioning, superb touch and control and a supreme mastery of match situations. There is, of course, no need to mention his goal-scoring ability. He’s never lacked for confidence - and it’s this characteristic, his steadfast belief in his own ability, that probably remains his greatest asset.
So where does Ronaldo rank among the pantheon of world greats? It’s never easy to compare footballers down the years. Like choosing between Ronaldo and Messi, it’s a subjective exercise. While I believe Ronaldo’s win this week was justified as he had spectacular year, he is certainly not among my Top 10 when it comes to football greats. And here, naturally, it’s an age thing (and my list certainly shows it). The era I grew up in just had footballers better than Ronaldo.
In no great order, except for my unquestioned No 1, here are a few of those greats. Ronaldo may be Portugal’s darling right now, but is he even fit to tie fellow-countryman Eusebio’s shoelaces? I don’t think so… Should Ronaldo’s name be mentioned in the same breath as former Real Madrid star Alfredo di Stefano? The jury’s out on that as well... And what about Ronaldo’s namesake - the Brazilian Ronaldo - who was just an absolute phenom during his heyday?
Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer, who strode the world’s football stage like a colossus, Michel Platini, who was the heartbeat of France, Argentina’s Mario Kempes, Brazil’s Zico and Garrincha, Dutchman Marco van Basten, German craftsman Lothar Matthaus and gifted genius Zinedine Zidane. George Best in his pomp, football master extraordinaire Johan Cruyff and, of course, the player universally anointed as the best, Brazil’s Pele.
Two more need mention: the footballer who adorned my walls when I was a kid; the man responsible for my life-long devotion to Liverpool – Kenny Dalglish. And then, as my No 1, always and ever, Argentina’s Diego Maradona.
I remember interviewing former Liverpool winger John Barnes at a function in Newlands two years ago and asked him to name his three best players of all-time. He answered: “Maradona, Maradona, Maradona.” I’m of that same opinion …
So the question is: In 20 years’ time, if I’m still around, will Ronaldo and Messi be remembered as fondly as the above-mentioned names? Probably, but they certainly won’t surpass those greats in my esteem.