Ronaldo vs. Messi vs. Rooney vs...

So. 8 days to go and one of the big questions that has been burning away through everyone's temples is... Who will be the best player in this year's tournament? Last World Cup's Golden Ball award went - somewhat controversially - to King Zizou, even after the "Materazzigate" affair, the playmaker was head and shoulders above any other, pulling the strings for his beloved French side and guiding them majestically to the finals! (Personally, I would have given him the award just on that one "golden" moment). The presentation must have been funny though. We all know what was said but, what should have been said was something more like:

- "And this years "Golden Ball" goes to Zinedine Zidane, for his Golden Headbutt"...

I mean, golden playing skills! *Ahem!*"

Fantastic stuff! For what many considered to be such a drab tournament, that was certainly one heck of moment to remember!

So, who will the World Cup really belong to this year? Will it be a midfielding maestro? A Super Striker, or like in the Korea /Japan tournament, rather boringly a Goofy Goalkeeper like Oliver "King" Kahn?

Again, Zidane dazzled everyone with his silky turns and exquisite vision last time around and in the past, big names such as Pelé, Maradona, Ronaldo and Salvatore Schillaci (huh???) have walked away with the big prize. This year, much of the talk has been about one battle in particular. Messi vs. Ronaldo.

Ok. Now, there's certainly gonna be some big, big stars there this year. Spain's midfield magicians Xavi and Iniesta will definitely be contenders. And strikers Fernando Torres and new Barcelona signing David Villa will also be fighting for it. Also, Argentina's Higuain, Di Maria and Tevez, France's Ribery or even England's midfield generals, Lampard or Gerrard might be in with a shout. You can't forget'em.

But seriously, apart from maybe Wayne Rooney, who else has come close to scaling the dizzy heights of fighting for the crown of Best Player this year?

I guess the question is: What makes a great footballer? Is it his ability to create magical moments during periods of intense pressure? To dribble his way out of trouble and to trick defenders left, right and centre? Or maybe it's purely his ability to win games for teams by scoring or setting up vital goals at vital moments?

Whenever I'm confronted with these points though, I simply ask myself, "Would I pay the ridiculously expensive, modern day prices of a ticket to watch them play?" And this year, there haven't been that many that I'd be prepared to do that for. In fact, to be totally honest, there’s only been two. Ronaldo and Messi.

Rooney's bullish, typical no-nonsense, classic dogged forward style is definitely worth a couple of tickets. His power and finishing has also really improved this year and I've loved watching him (on the telly!). But compare that to Ronaldo's silky step-over's, his fantastic change of pace and his mesmerizing runs and you still have to feel like there's something missing in the Manchester United man's repertoire. Maybe Wayne's all-round team work and dedication is a little better but is he a classier, better dribbler or even a more astute kicker of a dead ball then Ronaldo? Personally? I don't think so. Not right now he isn't.



But then you have to add Messi into the mix and this year it has to be said... He’s been amazing! I don't think I've ever seen anyone enjoy himself as much as he has on the football pitch. In fact, I seriously am struggling to remember if I've ever seen anyone glide past players so easily, shimmying one way, going the other and then shooting off down the flanks, cutting inside and just seeming like he's dying for someone else to try and take the ball off him again.

I dunno, Maradona? Giggs? Ronaldo? I'm not sure. But Messi's low centre of gravity and quick feet, arguably make him the hardest player in the world to stop right now. It's incredible to see what he can do with that ball. And it’s true. This year nobody has been able to stop him. We only have to refer to his 4 majical goals against Arsenal in the Champions League to see that. And then you can go and have a look at the other 43 he’s scored in all competitions this season. Stats like that don’t lie and for me, he’s been incredible and he's been the best!

But finally, a great World Cup player can only be great if he plays games. And the only way to guarantee that that happens is, if their team goes far in the competition. For that reason, Messi would have to be the favorite out of him and Ronaldo, but not necessarily the favorite to win it.

So, I guess we’ll have to look at the teams we think will go furthest and then judge the performances their players put in for them. And because – somewhat crazily – I voted for the Netherlands to win it this year, I’m gonna have to go for Wesley Sneijder! ...*shakes head*... dear o dear!