Cristiano Ronaldo—a name that has so quickly become one of the most well-known in the world of soccer.

To think that only five years ago he was largely unknown in the sport is a phenominal testimony to how good he is. His rise to superstardom has happened in such a short time, many believe he will go on to easily become one of the most talented and recognized sportsmen who ever lived.

Joining Manchester United just four short years ago, nobody could have predicted the amazing impact this young Madeira boy would have on the English Premier League, as well as on Manchester United's bid for league success. You would think that inheriting the hallowed number seven jersey from the departed David Beckham would give us some indication as to how special Man U considered this boy to be.

Normally when a young player joins such an illustrious team, there will be the "honeymoon period" where the crowd will be excited to see what the new guy has to offer. Once that dies down, the player becomes part of a well-oiled machine—a member of the family.

Few would have expected Ronaldo to become the most important cog in the machine, the conductor of the orchestra, and the most exciting player to watch at Old Trafford since George Best.

Fast Forward to today, and Ronaldo is widely regarded as Manchester United's most influential player. On a team of superstars such as Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes, and Rio Ferdinand, Cristano Ronaldo has gone from new boy to household name. In the 2006-07 season, he cleaned up on personal awards, winning the PFA Player's Player of the Year Award, PFA Fan's Player of the Year, PFA Young Player of the Year, Football Writer's Association Player of the Year, and Barclays Player of the Year Awards.

Since joining Man U in 2003 he has also improved his goal tallies each season. In his starting year he scored six goals in all competitions, followed by nine, 12, and 23 in his next three seasons. So far this season he has scored 13 goals in 15 matches—at this rate he will easily beat 23.

As for repeating his personal awards, with so many people in the game regarding Ronaldo as top dog it would be no surprise if he collects this year's gongs too.

Last week at the ceremony of the "Ballon D'or," which crowns the European Player of the Year, Ronaldo was second, behind Milan's Ricardo Kaka. A few days after the ceremony in the EPL match for Manchester United vs. Fulham it was almost as though Ronaldo was sending a message to Mr. Kaka—he was the star of the show, scoring two goals and, if not for a missed penalty claim, could have had three, which amazingly would have been his first hat-trick for the club.

It is scary to think that Ronaldo is still only 22 years old. He dazzles crowds wherever he goes with his amazing trickery, and I have no doubt in my mind that to mention Ronaldo in the same breath as Pele, Best, and Maradonna will be a natural statement to make for anyone in the game in the years ahead.