A dream clash with Barcelona on May 27 in Rome presents Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United’s Portuguese winger and current World footballer of the Year, an opportunity to prove his worth and perhaps settle the argument as to who really is the better player between him and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.
In Rome he will go head to head with Messi, believed by many to be the most talented player in the world.
Reference to Messi as the best player in the world has always riled Ronaldo. The clash presents him an opportunity to settle the argument.
On Tuesday Ronaldo confirmed the accolade, ‘best player in the world’ with a virtuoso performance at the home of Arsenal. The Gunners’ fans voted with their feet, leaving the stadium in droves with 20 minutes left on the clock.
Ronaldo desires and craves the attention that big matches bring and over the last two seasons, he has ensured that he has milked that attention to his good.
A pass from deep in midfield from Anderson allowed Ronaldo to set up Park Ji-sung in the 11th minute albeit aided by a slip from young full back, Kieran Gibbs. Three minutes later, he took centre stage; he won a free kick from Van Persie’s awkward challenge, dusted himself up and then amazingly scored from 40 yards.
Manuel Almunia, Arsenal’s goalkeeper and saviour in the first leg, was left with egg on his face as he failed to deal with the shot at his near post. It must be said that his reaction was a bit too slow. Arsenal was beaten and the match was barely 15 minutes old.
The Gunners were not at the races but had started very brightly before Park Ji-sung’s sucker punch in the eighth minute. After that it was backs to the wall for the young Arsenal side.
In last season’s finals of the UEFA Champions match against Chelsea, he had also scored a picturesque goal when he rose majestically to score with his head.
The third goal was created in breakaway heaven; Nemanja Vidic headed out of defense, Ronaldo flicked it backward with his heel to set Park sprinting forward. Park made an incisive pass from the centre circle to the left. Wayne Rooney then ran with the ball, urgently and swiftly toward goal. Instead of shooting, Rooney chose to pass to
Ronaldo who had run the length of the pitch to finish off the sweeping counterattack with his instep.
The only blot on a perfect night for Alex Ferguson’s team was the red card given to Darren Fletcher and he would miss the final for the second year running if he is not granted a reprieve by UEFA.