Posted Mar 25th 2007, 7:07pm

Ronaldo Finally Fulfilling Promise

I think Cristiano Ronaldo is finally fulfilling his promise as a truly world-class player now.

In both club and international football, he is making use of his acceleration and skill to be a match-winner, and has put the ignominy of the World Cup scene with team-mate Wayne Rooney, behind him.

When he first arrived in this country three years ago from his homeland he was order to stop play-acting by his own manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

He was also criticised for being to fancy and not creative enough. Too many flicks, tricks and skills, not providing goalscoring chances.

Well, he has signalled the end of his transistional period and now sits as one of the most important players in the Manchester United and Portuguese sides, setting up and scoring goals himself.

He has 22 goals in all club compeitions this season and following his brace against Belgium on Saturday, has 17 goals from 45 caps for the national side. This puts him in eighth in the all-time golascorers chart for his country and the second highest of players currently available for selection, behind Nuno Gomes.

He has already repaid most of the £12.24million transfer fee, that United paid to his former club Sporting Lisbon and looks set to ignore the advances of the Galacticos of Real Madrid and sign a new deal which will keep him at Old Trafford until around 2012.

Some stunning goals and performances this season have put him firmly in the running for the individual awards at the end of the season.

I don't think he will achieve much going to Spain, he will win much more staying put with United, unfortunately for the rest of the Premiership, it could start this season, with a treble...