Cristiano Ronaldo - Real Madrid

Very few footballers have polarized opinion in the noughties as much as Cristiano Ronaldo. Reviled for his histrionics, his tendency to "dive", his occasional petulance, and made the pantomime villain for England's exit from World Cup 2006. Ronaldo was probably most hated (and admired) by Man United's rivals who have had to watch him singlehandedly destroy his teams in many a game. But on the other side, few can question his position as one of the top 5 footballers on the planet, as a committed professional who has worked his socks off for his success and an increasingly consummate media man.

Ronaldo's debut for Manchester United, after his £12 million transfer from Sporting Lisbon, in a 4-1 win against Bolton Wanderers will be remembered by many, as breathtaking 30 minutes that drew instant comparisons with George Best and a sign of great things to come. Alongside Rooney, over the next 6 years, Ronaldo grew faster, stronger and more deadly in front of goal to become a near unstoppable footballing machine, notching up 44 goals in a single season in 2007-08, and helping Man United to three Premier League and one Champions League titles. His turning point in this journey was as much the World Cup 06 event after which he became public enemy #1 everywhere in England except for at Old Trafford. That he was able to use this collective hatred as a motivating force says much about his character.

His move to Madrid for £80 million may have been questioned by many Manchester United fans, but it was a dream that Ronaldo had always publicly expressed and something that he holds dear personally as a dream his late father also always dreamed hoped for. Sir Alex also suggested that 6 years is an optimal period for foreigners in English football and did not stand in his way, save to delay his departure by a season. At Madrid, Ronaldo has continued his form - becoming the first player ever to score in each of his first 4 games for the Spanish giants. Despite suffering an injury that kept him out for 8 weeks, he has 7 goals in his first 8 La Liga games, and 6 goals in 4 Champions League games, for Madrid. Real Madrid's record with and without Ronaldo in the team this season looks dramatically different.

It's hard to hate Ronaldo. He says all the right things. He is gracious in his praise of Messi, admitting honestly that he does not know Messi personally. He is generous in his appreciation of Barcelona and their team ethic. He is aware of the needs of the team and his role in it. He is willing to take on more responsibility and be the go-to person for his team mates and manager. He is effusive in his praise of his Manchester United team mates, manager and his experience. He's honest about his dislike of refereeing in the UK which he feels does not protect players enough. And his performances are unquestionably brilliant most of the time.

At the same time, it's hard to truly love Ronaldo - he tends to make football a individual sport. He has his eye on individual honours, he is conscious of his looks and loves the spotlight. He is very smooth - too smooth perhaps - with the media and he seems to play the world as he plays the game. With courage, skill but also with a bag of tricks.