Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned the best player in England the second best in Europe last season, following a season where he scored 23 goals and assisted 20, in 53 appearances. The boy was on fire, aided by the motivation the booing and jeering opposition gave him, and blew the Premiership apart. Could Ronaldo improve on this incredible season?
Well, that question has been answered already, and it is only January. In 25 appearances, Ronaldo has already equalled last season’s goals tally of 23, and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
With Giggsy joining the 100 league goals club earlier in the season, and set to replace Sir Bobby Charlton as the player with the most appearances in the clubs history, Cristiano Ronaldo has a record of his own to break.
Aged 22, George Best scored 32 goals in 52 games for Manchester United, scooping awards for player of the year in England and in Europe. It was the legend’s greatest season with the club, seeing him set a record for goals from a United winger. Ronaldo is approaching this goal, but claims he is more focussed on team success than individual records.
“It is a pleasure and a great compliment when people compare me to George Best,” Ronaldo said today. “For me, Best was one of the most important players ever. If I break his record I’m happy but to be honest, I don’t care. The most important thing is for the team to win the title. I never imagined I would have 23 goals by January but the team are playing very well and my team-mates are creating many opportunities for me to score. Last season I scored 23 times. This time I want to score more. I just want to do my best and improve every year,” he added.
With fifteen games remaining in the league, along with cup competitions, Ronaldo needs just 10 goals to beat Best’s record, and you’d have to be mad to bet against him. He has come in to his own this season, ripping our opposition apart week on week, and finally showing himself as the greatest player in the World.
George Best was once asked about Ronaldo and replied, “there have been a few players described as ‘The new George Best’ over the years, but this is the first time it has been a compliment to me.” Will the player who Best rated so highly be the man to pinch his goalscoring record?
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