Monday Football

12 January 2009

by Jerrad Peters

 

Ronaldo named world's best player

 

Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded FIFA World Player of the Year honors for 2008 at a ceremony in Zurich in Monday afternoon. The 23-year-old beat out finalists Lionel Messi, Fernando Torres, Kaka and Xavi for the prize and is just the second non-Brazilian since 2003 to claim the accolade. He was chosen by the coaches and captains of FIFA's international teams.

"It is an overwhelming moment and a special moment in my life," he said upon receiving the award. "And I would like to say to my mother and sister that the fireworks can be set off now."

But while he dedicated the honor to his family, the Portuguese winger was quick to mention Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in his acceptance speech.

"But it's also true that the manager always has an important role to play," he said. "It was a great season for me and my club, and the coach was important for me because I learned a lot from him. His experience over so many years is of paramount importance. It's a privilege to have such a great club manager."

Ronaldo, who also collected the Ballon d'Or and Golden Shoe among his 14 individual awards for the 2007-08 season, was quick to diminish expectations for a reprise of his 42-goal campaign.

"Tell me one player who had a great season for two, three, four years at the top level," he said in an interview with SkySports. "It's impossible. You don't have anyone."

He added, "Last season I think I did brilliant. But this season, in my opinion, I'm not bad. I've scored 10 goals up to now. I've come in from injury and people are waiting [for me to get] better and better all the time."

 

Diego mulling Juventus move

 

Juventus have emerged as the frontrunner in the race to sign Brazilian playmaker Diego. Bianconeri president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli is prepared to approach or meet Werder Bremen's 25M-euro asking price for the midfielder, who is contracted thru 2011. Gigli's sporting director made a recent trip to northwest Germany in an attempt to sell the 23-year-old on the idea of a permanent move to Juve, a journey that reciprocated on two occasions by Diego's father. The two sides are thought to be close to agreeing personal terms.

The deal now rests on the player's willingness to switch positions. Currently a central midfielder at the Weserstadion, Diego would be required to work the left flank at Juventus. Manager Claudio Ranieri is eager to bring in a replacement for 36-year-old Pavel Nedved, and Diego is at the top of his list. Valencia winger David Silva and Liverpool forward Ryan Babel will be considered if the Diego transaction falls through.

Despite establishing himself as one of European football's best playmakers while at Bremen, Diego came through the ranks as a striker at Santos. After failing to break through at Porto following a transfer to the Portuguese giants in 2004, he was converted to his current role by Bremen manager Thomas Schaaf.

 

Italian giants battle for Cassano

 

Juventus and Inter Milan have engaged in a tug-of-war over Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano. With both Hernan Crespo and Julio Cruz expected to leave the San Siro in the summer, Inter president Massimo Moratti is keen on acting early to prevent a sudden shortage of proven goalscorers at the club. Juventus, meanwhile, see Cassano as the natural replacement for Alessandro Del Piero.

In fact, the Bianconeri were so confident that the 26-year-old was on his way to Turin that they preferred to wait until Del Piero's contract expired in 2010 to make a formal move for the player. They are now blaming Cassano's agent, Beppe Bozzo, for breaking a gentleman's agreement made last summer.

Sampdoria chief executive Beppe Marrota admits that while the player has not requested a transfer, the club is considering all offers as they arrive. So far, Inter have made the most serious approach.

The Nerazzurri are proposing a swap-deal involving Italy Under-21 international Mario Balotelli. As much as 8M-euros would also be included in the transaction. Moratti would prefer to unload Adriano in exchange for Cassano. The 26-year-old has regressed since returning to Milan following a loan stint at Sao Paulo, however, and is worth next to nothing on the open market.

Inter would have preferred to sign Diego Alberto Milito during the current transfer window rather than wait five months for Cassano. But the 29-year-old has been a revelation at Genoa, with 12 goals in Serie A as the club has vaulted to fifth-place in the table. Rossoblu chairman Enrico Preziosi has claimed that he will not sell the Argentine, even for 50M-euros.