The Real Ronaldo

 That's the left foot David Beckham did NOT have.

Every football fan knows Ronaldo, the washed up, buck-toothed Brazilian.  There is another Ronaldo who is taking the English Premiership and Europe by storm.  He plays for Manchester United and his full name is Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Yes, I might be biased because I am a Man United fan.  Yet I have read the top two young players in the world are Man U's Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, the English Wonderkid.  Both Ronaldo and Rooney have played for United for the past couple years and are just now starting to gel with Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Dutch striker. 

I want to talk about Ronaldo though.  In the past two games, he's scored four goals.  What makes this all the more remarkable is that he is not, or hasn't been up to this point, a goalscorer.  His best attribute is his amazing speed.  In one word Ronaldo is flashy.  He gets laughs at games away from Old Trafford (United's home ground) when he tries to put a move on a defensive opponent and it doesn't work.  He just smiles and the next time he gets the ball he'll try it again.  When it does work and he puts an amazing move on an opponent or two which leads to a United goal, his opponents shut their mouths without drooling, trying not to say outloud 'Boy, I wish he was playing for us.' 

Players like Ronaldo don't come around often and when they do they don't play in England.  England's Premiership, unlike Italy's Serie A and Spain's La Liga, is a tough, knock-you-on-your-fanny league that most players like Ronaldo don't want any part of.  They would rather go to Italy or Spain and play no-touch football rather than coming to England where, as you can imagine, they get pushed to the ground every chance they get. 

Why is Ronaldo different?  His personality.  He doesn't care about what his opponents or fans think about him.  He just goes out and does what he knows to do.  When he makes a mistake, Ronaldo is not going to play on his heels and wonder whether he should try it again.  It also doesn't hurt that he is probably the fastest player in world with a ball at his feet. 

 Mr Flash - Cristiano Ronaldo

Realize this also...he is filling David Beckham's spot in the right midfield for United.  Big shoes to fill.  Beckham was, while at United, one of the top 3 players in the world and by far the most popular.  Beckham and Ronaldo are alike in that they are both very flashy.  Beckham is a better crosser of the ball; Ronaldo has the speed, the moves and a left foot.  For those of you who need to be reminded, Beckham couldn't kick with his left foot to save his life.  Ronaldo made a shot Saturday from 35 yards out vs Portsmouth with his left foot that was going straight for the keep then went left, right and over the top of the keeper into goal.  After the goal, Ronaldo ran towards a camera which was directed right at him and waved his right hand like it was on fire.  It was sweet.

This summer he'll be showing all of his talents to the world for the Portugal team at the World Cup in Germany.  If Team Portugal are to make a run at the finals you can bet it will hinge on how well Ronaldo plays.  If you don't know who Ronaldo is now, watch the World Cup and I can guarantee you will not forget him. 

 Beckham was a God for Man United.