Cristiano Ronaldo: Does He Deserve Footballer of the Year Award?

This year has thrown out some of the best footballers in many years. Although the English teams seem to host many of the favourites for FIFA World Player of the Year, Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid also have a few names to scream about.

So let's take a closer look at one of the nominees that I feel deserves this award.

Many critics might ask the questions: Why should Ronaldo win the award? Why has he won so many awards already?

Well, I watched about 95 percent of the games last season, and from what I saw, besides the 42 goals he scored, his influence was felt all over the field.

He is a great attacking player with excellent defensive ability, and he is always prepared to get back and assist the defenders when required. His presence on the field is huge; there is almost a sense that if Ronaldo is playing, there is a chance of something great happening.

Some critics may disagree and say there are several players of this type around, so what makes Ronaldo so special?

Well, that's where the 42 goals come in.  His role on the pitch is to play in the center, gather the ball from the defence, and feed the forwards. But when you're so good, scoring 42 goals is just the natural end of the means.

Cristiano Ronaldo has shown glimpses of his perfect touch in recent games this season, but it's nothing like what we witnessed last season.

He underwent surgery only a few months past, and yet he has already scored six goals in the league, placing him in joint third position with Robinho on the individual standings.

After his "Madrid saga," the winger seems to be gathering himself and it looks as if that hunger to win and to always achieve more has returned.

In a recent interview with MUTV, Ronaldo said after each game is played, he takes time during the evening to review the game in detail, looking for errors. Then he works on those errors and tries to improve his game. Now, only a player who's hungry and willing to be the best would make such an effort.

Who do you think deserves the FIFA World Player of the Year award?