Why Cristiano Ronaldo is PFA Player of the Year (again)

The only shock at the PFA awards do last night was that Cristiano Ronaldo didn't win the Young Player of the Year award as well. That honour went to Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas, who, it must be said, has had a pretty tidy season as well.

But the Manchester United winger has been head and shoulders above his peers this year, amassing an incredible 38 goals in all competitions.

It is the second year in succession the 23-year-old Portuguese star has picked up the trophy and he was suitably chuffed - despite not being allowed to attend.

"I feel very happy," Ronaldo said. "When you work all season to play good, to do something for the team, to do your contribution for the team and then at the end of the season the PFA give you this award, it is a great moment, it is an honour, a pleasure."

Well Cris (may I call you Cris?), it has been an absolute pleasure to watch you as well. Apart from when you fall over a bit too easily. Oh, and when you waggle your finger at the referee. And occasionally when you wink.

In honour of the great man, here are a few of the reasons why he picked up the award. And when you've watched them, perhaps you would care to vote on who is Manchester United's greatest ever player.

Video: Ronaldo's greatest moments of 2007-08

Video: Ronaldo hits the deck, sarcastically applauds the ref ... then does what he does best

Comments

[Chris Houghton]

It doesn't realy matter what all the no marks think the PRO's decided he was No1

[Boon]

Agree with Fred. Never liked proud ass who kisses the ground too often. Yah he scores plenty but he sucks as a model player

[Nouhad]

I agree 100% with what David Bewley said.
Did no one watch the way he was going to ground against Barcelona ? Every time he got the ball and approached the opposition he went to ground -- doesn't that say something..

[Dave L]

I am sick of those who say he doesn't perform against the top teams. He is the top goal scorer in the Premiership & the Champions League, what on earth does the guy have to do to prove himself to you doubters. Anyone thinking he lost his nerve on the Barca penalty must have forgot how composed he was with the penalty against Arsenal which he had to take twice.

[Abraham]

I find it disappointing really that many people can't recognise and applaud the way Ronaldo has played this season. He has scored 28 premiership goals and 38 goals in total, and you think he doesn't deserve to be Premiership Player of the year? And I hope I mentioned that the player is a winger!! Yes, he has started some matches as a wide striker, but far more as a winger and I think he certainly deserves this award, henceforth why he was voted for by his peers! To the likes of Fred and "Champion" I think you guys need to become neutrals in football, only then will you truly appreciate the beauty this player has brought to the Premier Leauge.

[Slitheen]

'Fred', do you want him to lie and say; "I don't deserve this, Fabregas and Torres are better than I am". I find his honesty and self confidence totally refreshing. And the only reason you have any issues with him at all is because he doesn't play in the colours of your club. It's just jealousy on your part. We Mancunians (the red ones at least) love him!

[Champion]

To JON: Most hated player? I think not. His fellow footballers voted him the best player; two years running and I think he sells quite a few United shirts. How is United the most hated team in the world when they possibly have the MOST fans in the world? It is sad when myopic fanatics of a certain team can't stomach the fact that a player, not from their team, is deemed good enough to be applauded by his peers. The best accolade there could ever be.

[Jon]

Isn't it fantastic that the most hated player in the world, playing for the most hated club in the world has picked up this award.

[Chris Mooney]

The real quality of the player is seen when you watch Nani play this weekend against Chelsea. He's pretty much got as many tricks in his book as Cristiano, seems just as able. Yet he was utterly useless for 90 minutes, with Wayne Rooney getting visibly more angry at him minute by minute.

If Cristiano was just a prancing, mincing, diver he'd be as effective as Nani, the result being Man U achieving nothing this season. But the fact that they are top of the table (with himself the league's top scorer), in a good position for the Champion's League clearly proves that there is so much more to him than the prancing. He is the best, week in week out.

[Tasmanian Devil]

This young man would be snapped up by any team in the world that could afford to buy him. As with all great players in this country, negative press outweighs positive. Shame on you!

Any gamesmanship comment about Ronaldo can be directed at almost any top level player these days, including some English ones too..

I say again, it's about time the football authorities got off their fat unprofessional behinds and started cleaning the game up.

[AB]

He does go tyo ground a bit easily and i do wish he would be a little less demonstrative with his frustration. But, you have to hand it to him because he never gives up despite often getting a good kicking from the opposition all game.

You also have to remmber that he's still only very young and relatively inexperienced.

The main critsism i have is that he nevr really shows his class in the big games against top opposition. He's great at destroying the sunderlands of this world (sorry sunderland), but never dominates a game against the likes of Milan when it really counts.

Perhaps Fabragas has the edge here as he proved against milan when he gave them a footballing lesson. If Fabragas has kept up his form from the first half the season. the award would have been a closer decision.

[Harry]

I think that final comment from Ronaldo was almost ceretainly said tongue in cheek.

Over-reactive fans like yourself only serve to worsen the attitude and paranioa destroying the game at the moment. He's the best player in the league, end of........

[Fred]

The thing is, even though he's a "prancing, mincing, showboating, diving cheating, whining, cry-baby" he really has been the best player this year.
He's a complete git, but I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have in the Arsenal team, and I bet that goes for most fans of other clubs.

[David Bewley]

What sort of message is the game sending out when this prancing, mincing, showboating, diving, cheating, whining, cry-baby is voted player of the year?

Here is an extract from his acceptance speech: "…you have many players who have had a good season, Torres, Fabregas, many players. But I think I deserve to win!"

Such humility! What a credit to the game he is. I hang my head in despair.

As for the writer calling him a great man: words fail me.