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    Cristiano Ronaldo 'Continued to Be the Best in the World' in 2018-19, Says Nani

    Rory Marsden@@roomarsdenFeatured ColumnistJune 5, 2019

    PORTO, PORTUGAL - JUNE 04: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during a training session on the eve of the Nations League Semi-Final between Portugal and Switzerland at Estadio do Bessa on June 4, 2019 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)
    Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images

    Nani believes Cristiano Ronaldo is still the best player in the world following his first season at Juventus.

    After moving to Turin from Real Madrid last summer, Ronaldo helped Juve win Serie A as he netted 28 goals in 43 games in all competitions. 

    That is an impressive return, but by Ronaldo's own high standards, it marked something of a decline.

    Not since his final season at Manchester United in 2008-09, when he scored 26 goals in all competitions, had Ronaldo's tally been less than 30 for a campaign.

    ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 02: Nani #17 of Orlando City breaks away with the ball during a MLS soccer match against New York City FC at Orlando City Stadium on March 2, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
    Alex Menendez/Getty Images

    As far as Nani is concerned, though, his former United and Portugal team-mate remains the best player in the world, per Omnisport (h/t Dejan Kalinic of Goal):

    "It was a successful season for him. I think he did great. It is not easy to play in Italy because the football there is very tactical. The defenders there defend a lot. He scored a lot of goals, continued to be the best in the world. I think he did great."

    Ronaldo, 34, could yet win some more silverware this year as he leads Portugal in their UEFA Nations League semi-final against Switzerland on Wednesday at Porto's Estadio do Dragao.

    If they win, they will face either England or Netherlands in the inaugural final on Sunday.

    Cristiano Ronaldo 'Continued to Be the Best in the World' in 2018-19, Says Nani
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    They have an excellent chance of triumphing given the amount of quality in the squad, even without Ronaldo:

    BBC 5 Live Sport @5liveSport

    🔥 'Portugal have a lot of promising youngsters to supplement Ronaldo' @Iandennisbbc breaks down the excellent talent within the Portugal squad. Listen 👇 📲📻: https://t.co/0kUniX6SeW #bbcfootball https://t.co/VHuuOOukLa

    Bernardo Silva is fresh from a treble-winning season with Manchester City, during which he was nominated for the PFA Player of the Year Award.

    Meanwhile, 19-year-old Joao Felix enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2018-19 as he helped Benfica win the league title, and he was linked with a €120 million (£106 million) to Real Madrid by Manu Sainz of AS earlier this week.