3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
A popular debate amongst football fans from all walks of life is simple who is the best player in the world? Inevitably, when this argument presents itself at this current point in time, the choice always comes down to two players Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Unlike Messi, who has spent his entire career in a league that could be considered uncompetitive (given the gulf in quality between Barcelona/Real Madrid and the rest of the division), Ronaldo spent six years in England before being lured to La Liga, proving himself in a league that is much more unpredictable and physical than its Spanish counterpart, something that (in my opinion at least) gives him the edge over the Argentine. All six of these years were spent at Old Trafford, where the Portugese playmaker arrived in style, coming on as a substitute in a game against Bolton Wanderers and dazzling the crowd with his ball skills, the likes of which had not been seen in the Premier League before. Though he occasionally courted controversy for supposed theatrics on the field, few can deny Ronaldos class, becoming the only player to win all four Players Football Association and Football Writers Association award during his tenure with the club. With 42 goals in 2007/08 alone, a season in which United won both the Premier League and the Champions League, Ronaldo was no stranger to finding the net, scoring 118 times in 292 total outings of the club, alongside numerous assists, which made his departure to Real Madrid disappointing for supporters, despite the £80 million transfer fee received. With 125 goals in 118 league appearances for Real, however, and aged just twenty seven, the United supporters would happily welcome him back to the club with open arms should he become bored of playing in one-sided matches and desire a change in scenery once more.