World Cup 2006 Blog

Ronaldo doesn't deserve this vote. The best player should be rated on his technical skills, as well as his attitude on the pitch.
He should have been booked at least 2 times against France for diving! Would you see Ronaldhino do that?

Christiano Ronaldo might be technical but he is a digrace as a player - diving, simulating, living in stars and crying...Portugal definitely could be announced as most anti-footbal team of the WC. Such teams spoil the game.

"Something funny going on?"

Well, I don't know about "funny", but there is www.ihateronaldo.com which is campaigning for people to vote for Valencia instead (in the sidebar on the left). It's a little over the top, in my opinion.

Ronaldo is a despicable wee tyke and a disgrace to the game. And that's not just from an England perspective either - witness the booing he received from the French last night.

The tragedy is that he's incredibly talented and, when not throwing himself to the ground, delicious to watch. It's his own fault though that his reputation is now preceding him, and that he's increasingly known not for silky skills but for being a con artist.

Young Player of the Tournament? Do me a favour. All those who love the beautiful game and the spirit in which it should be played should vote for anyone else to win - and if that means some middleweight Ecuadorian, so be it.

It's a pretty typical English reaction to be honest.

Aside from being a huge waste of time, the vote has been rigged by people who couldn't pick Luis Valencia out if he was surrounded by 10 albinos.

Everyone who voted against him must be really proud, does this make up for England not being able to beat Portugal in the World Cup? I don't think so. . . . and people wonder why other countries have such a stereo-typical view of English football fans.

I don't think it's not rigged, it's just a lot of people don't think that Ronaldo is the best young player!

And that most of these people happen to be English and received an email letting them know how they can vote, is prefectly acceptable and democratic.

I was one of those who received an email letting me know of my entitlement to vote, and I passed the message on.

As they say, cheats never prosper!

I received an email urging me and others to vote for Valencia as best young player. After briefly flirting with the idea of voting for Theo (like 4000 others) I voted for Valencia and forwarded on the email.

I see it worked a treat.

Ha ha ha ha! :-D

I am just dissapointed with English fans. We all have to be objective. Rooney deserved to be sent off, while Ronaldo did what he wanted to do. Were u crying when Crouch was diving? Are u take the same silly approach that Italians did 4 years ago, when a Japanese playing in Italy scored a goal agains Italy? Come on you have to be more mature. Media 'pundits' should be more careful about comments hurting people.

there isnt a rig going on, but there is one certain website (dno if im allowed to state it) which says vote for valencia or any1 else apart from ronaldo. tbf ronaldo has been the boss of portugal last few games, hes taken the game to the opposition defence more then any other portugal player and is lookin more and more like he is getting the final product he needs. in the last game he gained about 2% of his credibility back, it could have been alot more if it wasnt for his dives but once again, like the last semi final, players havent been waving for a card to be shown when a foul is committed so it seems were going back in the rite direction after temporarily going backwards in football. No one can doubt Ronaldo as had the biggest impact on the world cup as a young player, maybe even out of all the players, but, as a manchester united supporter,if we sell him, i wont be losing any sleep.

I am just dissapointed with English fans. We all have to be objective. Rooney deserved to be sent off, while Ronaldo did what he wanted to do. Were u crying when Crouch was diving? Are u take the same silly approach that Italians did 4 years ago, when a Japanese playing in Italy scored a goal agains Italy? Come on you have to be more mature. Media 'pundits' should be more careful about comments hurting people.

It will all be in vain. The public get to vote their top three players and the technical study group (TSG) get to put forward three players to give a final 6 which we have today.
Ronaldo
Valencia
Podolski
Messi
Fabregas
Barnetta

The TSG then decide on the winner from these 6 which is announced tomorrow.

and yes, I have registered by vote for Valencia.

I don't think it's not rigged, it's just a lot of people don't think that Ronaldo is the best young player!

And that most of these people happen to be English and received an email letting them know how they can vote, is prefectly acceptable and democratic.

I was one of those who received an email letting me know of my entitlement to vote, and I passed the message on.

As they say, cheats never prosper!

I am just dissapointed with English fans. We all have to be objective. Rooney deserved to be sent off, while Ronaldo did what he wanted to do. Were u crying when Crouch was diving? Are u taken the same silly approach that Italians did 4 years ago, when a Japanese playing in Italy scored a goal agains Italy? Come on you have to be more mature. Media 'pundits' should be more careful about comments hurting people.

Very strange about Ronaldo losing the best Young Player - Luis Valencia has received around 150,000 extra votes this week without kicking a ball

James

I've just looked at the rules, and the fan vote is to get three names on the shortlist, not the actual award - the final decision is made by one of FIFA's 'Technical Committees'. So everyone's been wasting their time, and the genius on the BBC website who's just put the story up didn't do very much research...

Never mind, I'm sure it made everyone feel better!

It seems many fans are not mature enough. It hurts that England did not get into the next round, but we should blame our own team and coach! Do you remember how many times Joe Cole has been diving??!!

Rigged? Well Theo Walcot managed to get over 4000 votes and he didn't even play!

To me, when Ronaldo doesn't do the play acting stuff he is becoming a very good player. If he stops all the rubbish he could be a great player. Fortunatley the decision is made by a FIFA technical panel who will look at all aspects of play.

Like a Zidane, a more dignifed player you'll be hard pushed to see.

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/bypa/eligible.html
Go and vote for valencia! Ronaldo was leading by 50,000 votes until an email went round, now he's losing by 50,000! the power of the internet!

Brittish fans "deserve" to see players like Savage, Heskey or Earnshaw..Ronaldo, do yourself a favor and play to crowds that appreciate your skills. This hating is getting out of hand. Bitter fans are a sad sight.

Real World Calling Ron

I really enjoy watching Ronaldo play, and I don't think he dives half as much as people say. However, he definetely looks for free kicks by dribbling round someone at the last second so they take him out, and he does go down very easily.

It's a shame realyl because he could be so much better than he is now. If he had the determination to get past defenders and stay on his feet he'd be alot more dangerous for club and country.

As for his actions in the England match against Rooney. It's fair to say by the head butt (or whatever it was) before the game and the wink after Rooney got sent off that it was part of their game plan. Disgraceful.

Still, lets look towards the final and hope that the Italians beat the most boreing team (excluding England of course!) in the competition.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been the best young player of the world cup so far and he deserves to win the award. Vote for Cristiano Ronaldo!

It does not matter who comes first or second in the public vote, as that merely decides 3 players who make it onto the shortlist from where the FIFA technical committee choose their best young player.

Ronaldo has made himself the most hated figure in world football so it should be no surprise there are a large number of people who would hate to see him get such an accolade and voting for the guy who was in 2nd place seems the most logical way to achieve this small justice.

If there was any true justice Ronaldo would receive a ban that far exceeds any ban Rooney is likely to receive because he is the cheat and world football would be a better place without cheats like him.

Ronaldo was not responsible for Rooney's sending off (that award must go to Mr Rooney himself) but he has been the best and most consistent young player at this World Cup.

The bitterness over England's failure is both boring and ridiculous. Get over it and move on.

Ronaldo is a cheat. It's a simple as that. And I'm a Scotland fan. Ronaldo - you can sue me if you like, but until you clean up your act and try to win matches with your undoubted talents, instead of cheating, you do not deserve any awards.

There is simply nothing funny. Its the inability of the English to accept defeat that is the cause of it.Ronaldo has got nothing to do with the sending of Rooney. Even if he has got involved in it its Rooney's stupidity that got him sent off. Ronaldo did not cheat to get Rooney the red card.

The gutter press in England are just so stupid.
Rooney is a thug and got what he deserved.
Ronaldo is a brilliant footballer and a great actor. That wink was meant to be noticed. It was meant to wind up the gutter press and it succeeded.
Well done lad.

The best player on the pitch? Are you joking?

To see Zidane rage against the dying of the light with beautiful economy of movement, and superiority of mind was infinitely better than seeing the callow Ronaldo do some pointless step overs and then fall over.

I live in Scotland and I can confirm that there is a massive campaign here to vote for Ronaldo. He has been lauded by some sections of the country as a national hero for his part in Rooney's sending off.

It seems that the Young Player award has become a battle between Scotland and England as to how many people can skew the results. I hope that fifa come up with a more sensible way of deciding these awards in future.

England declares Cristiano Ronaldo national emergency
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/07/06/national_emergency/

Pathetic, magnanimous as ever.

Ronaldo could still win because technically the winner of the vote does not get the award. The top three are then joined by three others from a technical study group and then the TSG chooses their player based on certain criteria

i think the hate campaign is not allowing people to see this fact and with the TSG commitee also judging the players on fair play ronaldo wouln't have won anyway

Ronaldo didn't lose you the world cup Sven & the players did so get over it.

Don't really like Ronaldo as a person but there is no doubt about his footballing ability & he has been one of the best young players at this world cup.

PS with regards to diving he's no worse than Joe Cole !

The impetious nature of youth has caught up with both Ronaldo and Rooney, remember Beckhams disgrace against Argentina? I hope they think back to how different the outcome to their games would have been if they just concentrated on what they where being paid for instead of trying to gaining unfair advantageby any other means other than sticking the ball in the net.

There have been far more disgraceful acts of playacting at the world cup besides Ronaldo's minor histrionics.

Why rob by far the best young player of the tournament the accolade he deserves because of a nation that is so petulent and bitter, desperately clinging to excuses as to why our feeble team failed to make an impact yet again?

Another example of typical overexaggerating Britain.

On Christiano Ronaldo. Let's get it in perspective. a)It's just a game b) It was just a wink c)Why are we scapegoating him for diving when it's not as if the English players never dive...like Mr Steven Gerrard in pre world cup friendly and less obviously during the world cup itself...d) get over it. Rooney got himself sent off, nobody else e)If Portugal are so awful what does that say about England? f)England played better once Rooney went off anyhow.

It just seems like any excuse not to look at our own team and manager.

In my opinion he is just getting what he deserves. One of the criteria that FIFA is basing this award on is fair play - something that Ronaldo has shown none of during this tournament.

The sooner that FIFA, UEFA and the FA start reviewing footage of matches and giving cheating players like Ronaldo lengthy bans, the sooner he will quite rightly be forced out of the game.

All the England fans who are hijacking the vote to make sure Ronaldo doesn't win are just sad and bitter. I find it really pathetic that they have to find a scapegoat for their exit from a competition they blatantly did not deserve to progress further in.

Ronaldo may dive, but he's not the only one, and in my opinion he has been the best young player in the tournament, apart from maybe Podolski.

I do not realy like the way Ronaldo plays either. He plays in a very selfish way and lacks team spirit, he dives he fouls and he cries after a lost match. Just like most of the football players I have seen during this WC. Technically he is brilliant, no doubt about it.

But .... does a human being really deserves a hate campaign caused by bitterness.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5153870.stm

Was going towards the ref and complain an action that deserves HATE? Anger, yes, disappointment, Yes - but HATE??? I personally find it worse stamping another player`s private parts than complaining about this foul.
Some people really tend to forget what actually caused Ronaldo´s reaction.

Nothing, really nothing that the young man did is worth HATE. Please remember, at the end of the day it is only a game where 22 men are chasing a ball....

What Ronaldo did may not have been right but still the officiation of the league matches in the UK seem to favour the home boys mainly in Manunited.If the officiation changes and the cautions and penalties are respected,the indisciplined Rooneys who even lack sportsmanship,will be tamed.

Yup got an email about it myself at home yesterday, it had been forwarded around a fair bit.

"wink" job done!

touche

I Don,t Believe Any One Could Even Consider Nominating Ronaldo As Best Young Player Of This World Cup,He Has Tried To Gain Advantages On A Consistant Level That Really Takes Diving To A New Level!!!,He Does,nt Need To Pull Stunts Like That,As He Has Skill In Abundance,So Why Do Great Players Do This, Hell Will Freeze Over Before We Get An Answer To This Inigma.

Rational though the comments here are, it's certain that the majority of people voting against Ronaldo after receiving viral emails are just sore-loser England fans who, as usual, need someone to blame rather than admit to home-grown deficiencies. And they're only showing themselves up. If they learned to read, they would see that they can vote for whoever they like because the winner will be decided by FIFA's "Technical Skills Group".

This is such a disgrace on the English fans! Why can't you get over it and accept the fact that a better team beat you and move on like all other countries have. Whatever happens, we all know who the true young player of the 2006 World Cup really is.

Incase no one has come across it, there is a global email doing the rounds asking everyone to vote for Ecuador's Valencia as fans young player of the tournament instead of Ronaldo who was leading the vote count.

The fact is the vote online is only a fans vote the actual winner will be decided byt he FIFA technical Group of 14 people. Headed by Germany's assistant manager at the 1990 world cup. No matter how many votes they get, the choice will not be there's. No matter how much england fans turn Ronaldo into some sort of scapegoat for what was an overall poor showing from the England team over the whole tournament.

Fact is Ronaldo has been the best young player at the tournament, warts and all.. no young player has been better.

Never even heard of this boy from Ecuador. Why are the likes of Torres, Podloski, Ramos, Fabregas, Ribery etc etc not being mentioned (along with Ronaldo because he is class)?

i might be a litte biased as a german, but my young player of the tournament is surely philipp lahm. it's always a pleasure to watch him play.

Rational though the comments here are, it seems certainly that the campaign to vote against Ronaldo is mostly attracting sore-loser England fans who - as usual - need someone to blame rather than admit to home-grown deficiencies. And they're only showing themselves up. If they did less whinging and more reading they would see that they can vote for whoever they like. The winner will be decided by FIFA's "Technical Study Group" not the web vote.

In my opinion he is just getting what he deserves. One of the criteria that FIFA is basing this award on is fair play - something that Ronaldo has shown none of during this tournament.

The sooner that FIFA, UEFA and the FA start reviewing footage of matches and giving cheating players like Ronaldo lengthy bans, the sooner he will quite rightly be forced out of the game.

Hawkwind - part of the crowd will be have been made up of the Engerland fans who made the trip to Munich expecting to see England play - so a large part of the crowd would have been not-so "neutral" fans booing the guy who knocked England out of the World Cup.

As for "something funny" going on - it's more petty and bitter than it is funny. Sven asks the press not to pick on Rooney (you know, that mild-mannered kid who wouldn't say boo to a goose) so a witch hunt is made for the guy that was winding him up throughout the game. Sounds familiar - the same "news" papers were the ones that printed the home contact details of a referee who dared to disallow a perfectly executed foul as Sol Campbell scored a header against.... ummmmm.... oh yeah - Portugal.

Also funny to see Giddy label Ronaldo in with Maradona - think that further shows the pettyness of the hatred against Ronaldo.

I assume everyone knows by now that the original boost in Ronaldo's came from Sottish fans, read their chat forums.

dry yer eyes. yer oot!!!!!!

for god's sake, it wasnt ronaldo who stamped on rooney the last time i looked!

learn to lose with dignity (like we have, plenty practice) instead of CONSTANTLY finding someone else to blame other than yourselves.

YOU'RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH!

i know why some people are not just sincere,Ronaldo's attitude is still far better than ROONEY's,who has EARNED more cards than Ronaldo, they are talents no doubt, but @this world cup, one scored a penalty in the Group stages, helped his side to the semis by converting his own penalties(which is something to reckon with)at leaest if Gerrard and lampard did the same, England would have been at the semis, he scored and so was the one that took his side to the semis, had the man of the match perfomance at the semis(sentiments apart)even though,thuram got it by FIFA standards, but i thought Ronaldo had a splendid world cup!!!who knows, if Figo had scored from HIS freekick that OLD barthez couldnt punchout, portugal could have gone all the way...
On his attitude, it shows he is truly young, and small, and maybe so playful...but THE GOLDEN BOY OF ENGLAND'S( WAYNE RUDENEY)'S attitude! IS WORSE!AH AH!

If I was gifted with a minute amount of Ronaldos' skill i'd feel blessed!!! Why is it that quite few of the good players feel it necessary to dive to win a free kick??

You have all that natural ability and all you do is make yourself look like a sap when the slightest breeze from your opponents jersey knocks you down to the ground like you've been hit by a Hulk Hogan Python!!!!!

Come on Valencia!!!

Its amazing that the one country, who more than any other, owed its sole world Cup triumph to refereeing errors should be the one to hold forth and lecture the rest of us on the evils of cheating and refereeing incompetence.

Can anybody imagine the reaction if England lost a world cup final to Argentina by a goal that did not cross the line, that never was - the sheer bedlam and hysteria that would explode around our heads. In the 1966 Quarter final between Argentina and England, Argentina had to play with 10 men because the Referee sent off the Argentine captain Rattin (in a match where English fouls doubled Argentine ones) because he ' did not like the look on his face' and because Rattin was allegedly insulting a referee who later on admitted to not understanding a word of Spanish.

Imagine the English reaction if Beckham had been sent off for abusing, in English, a referee who later admitted to not speaking or understanding a word of it.

The English are the spoilt, petulant and inadequate children of international football. Not once in 40 years of mediocrity have they ever admitted to loosing a tournament game because they played a better side, not once have they ever had the grace to congratulate their conquerors, there is always an excuse, always a whinge, always a hate figure to divert attention from their lack of any real ability to play good football. English football is a joke. The English now hate the Portuguese not because of their so called antics, but because the Iberians who they would rather patronise have cleaned the floor with them three times now in the last 6 years, Euro 2000, Euro 2004 and now this world cup - what a record. Portugal have produced Figo, a former world player of the year, respected throughout the game who has led his country, a small modest south European nation to the last 4 of at least 3 competitions, England have produced David Beckham, better known for his hair not playing style, who has led his country, one of the richest in the world, from one underachievement to the other.

Portugal have Ronaldo, a a fine winger with pace, trickery and above all courage, England have Rooney, a one trick pony (all he ever does is try and shoot from outside the box or barge his way through it) overrated and over hyped. Ronaldo will achieve great things in Spain, Rooney will spend the rest of his days bullying the likes of Charlton and Bolton and striving for red cards in major tournaments when confronted with good defenders (who can pocket mediocre and overrated strikers), so all the post match talk will not be about how average he really is but how '’his temperament let the great genius down'.

Then again he is also very likely to end up in prison. Lets face it he does look like a convict.

Good news that there is an e-mail doing the rounds asking people to vote for Valencia. Yesterday Ronaldo had 26% of the vote and Val 24%. Today good news! Val leads 36% / 25% . Brilliant the power of e-mail.

Cheap holiday to Portugal anyone?

Goes to show how poor losers England are. They need a hate figure to cover their own embarrassment - Alan Shearer take note!

I do not realy like the way Ronaldo plays either. He plays in a very selfish way and lacks team spirit, he dives he fouls and he cries after a lost match. Just like most of the football players I have seen during this WC. Technically he is brilliant, no doubt about it.

But .... does a human being really deserves a hate campaign caused by bitterness.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5153870.stm

Was going towards the ref and complain an action that deserves HATE? Anger, yes, disappointment, Yes - but HATE??? I personally find it worse stamping another player`s private parts than complaining about this foul.
Some people really tend to forget what actually caused Ronaldo´s reaction.

Nothing, really nothing that the young man did is worth HATE. Please remember, at the end of the day it is only a game where 22 men are chasing a ball....

I Don,t Believe Any One Could Even Consider Nominating Ronaldo As Best Young Player Of This World Cup,He Has Tried To Gain Advantages On A Consistant Level That Really Takes Diving To A New Level!!!,He Does,nt Need To Pull Stunts Like That,As He Has Skill In Abundance,So Why Do Great Players Do This, Hell Will Freeze Over Before We Get An Answer To This Inigma.

I think you'll find English fans can take losing - we've had enough practice. What we loathe and detest is players who behave dishonourably like Ronald 'O' did.

At the end of the day, we recognise England went out because of the team's numerous shortcomings. We despise the fact that a spotty little oik with talent but without honour wants to rub it in.

Post #1 - I've not actually seen Ronaldinho do anything of worth at this tournament!

Post #2 - Ronaldo is by no means the worst offender. Look at the beloved Thierry Henry and the "simulation" that led to the free kick that got France's goal against Spain. Disgraceful - only joy about watching France now is seeing him bottle it on the big stage in the same way he did in the Champions League final. Look at Italy in their first game with the guy that rolled around looking like he'd been shot, then was fine to come back on and score a minute later.

Post #5 - and why should a "middleweight Ecuadorian" get the award simply because Ronaldo is now hated by England fans? Surely the likes of Torres would be a better pick?

And don't forget England are not immune to diving - or do we still think Robinson's stint at rolling about on the floor was simply a "clever" attempt to kill some time when it looked like England's leaky defence could throw away a goal?

I'm English and to be honest i'm not bothered about looking for excuses for England going out - they simply didn't perform to their capabilities and always ran the risk of going out.

What i am bothered about it the smugness Ronaldo has in knowing he can get away unpunished with diving in EVERY match that he plays. And then moaning, crying and stamping his foot when he doesn't get his own way.

I don't know who Man Utd are playing in pre season friendlies, but i do hope that one of their opposition shows Ronaldo that cheats don't always prosper.

Its a pity FIFA don't have a cheat of the tournament competition. Or diver of the tournament. The Golden Cormorant could be their prize.

Mind, Ronaldo would not necessarily win either of those with such famous names as Ballack and Henri in the frame.

Regardless of whether it's rigged or not, the vote is clearly a joke: Scott Carson and Theo Walcott seem to have amassed votes despite not having touched a ball during the World Cup!

@England

This is starting to get really embarassing. Remember SGE first reaction after the game ? "DON'T KILL ROONEY !" There was nothing like "KILL C. RONALDO!"

When we lost against Italy, there was no word of diving, bad refereeing, the whole pressure, the fact that Frings got suspended or WHATEVER. We simply admitted that Italy was the better team that night and, yes, maybe had a little more luck.

For crying out loud ! Start acting like men, go to the training pitch for the next 2 years and then come back. Right now, you're acting like 5-year-old girls who can't deal with a defeat. Sometimes I think you will never get past this whole "rulers-of-the-world" thing. Everything has has to be done according to your wishes. And if it's not, it's always someone else's fault. Grow up, otherwise I seriously doubt you will get that second star on your chest in the next 50 years........Ok, I'm calm now :- )

Ronaldo might dive, but at least he does not stamp, push other players or kick the ball away. I would also like to respond to the comment about him crying as if this is a critisism why not critise most of the England team for crying.

Maybe Ronaldo should be awarded the 'Brown Boot' for unfair play. What's the point in some amazing ball control if you just dive, and I mean dive badly, at the end. Some of the referering can close to making this world cup a farce, I hope some of the awards decisions don't.

If someone annoys so many English football fans, he must be doing something right. Go on yourself, Ronaldo.

Golden generation, ma arse.

Pathetic - All you people saying its the english looking 4 a reason as to why we lost...Not at all, as much as England may dive, we do it in reflex mode..Ronaldos diving is Simulated, If you understand what this word means you'll know the difference...Pointless step overs, then falls over...I saw more talent in Messi in 20 mins of him playing then I saw of Ronaldo...Did he score? At all? No. England are a great team, a brave team, and they went out of the WC once again, but proudly, and honestly...Not the same feeling when Portugal went out last night was it? Good luck to both teams in the final, be lucky your not facing England.

All very sad - England had enough chances to score against portugal, and I really do think that, penalty shoot-out aside, England were the better team - despite the foolish formation they were made to play with. Why doesn't the Captain have some input, and change things when necessary ?? Anyway, I thought Ribery was the most exciting player by far this year. Now, everyone, get real, and vote sensibly if you must vote at all !(English and disappointed, yet again !!).

I'm sick of the ignorant English, and small minded Scots to be honest.

English players dive and cheat just the same as everyother team in the world. Remember Ian Wright on MOtD telling us it was alright for Gerrard to dive as everyother team would do it. If an English player got his meat balls stood on, on purpose, you cannot tell me that the English players wouldn't have acted like Ronaldo. Don't even try to deny it.

Scotland, is becoming more embarrassing as each day passes. We're turning into a bitter twisted little nation with the only thing going for it, is being happy when we lose.

Ronaldo is technically very good, but he is a diver, a cheat, and quite frankly a cry baby. Against Engalnd & France he was disgraceful with his diving and manipulating the referee. I hope very much that Valencia wins this award.

I don't think he deserves any recognition after his diving, cheating tactics which were similarly displayed by other members of his team. Still, I bet all will be forgiven when he returns to Manchester and he starts diving for them!

We ran a campaign on www.FHM.com to get our 2.1million users to vote for Ecuador's Luis Valencia and we're pleased to see how well it worked!

And before people start getting carried away, it's only a bit of fun... Unlike diving.

We ran a campaign on www.FHM.com to get our 2.1million users to vote for Ecuador's Luis Valencia and we're pleased to see how well it worked!

And before people start getting carried away, it's only a bit of fun... Unlike diving.

Living in Scotland all i'v heard for weeks is whinging jocks.Big hairy idiots thumping little kids for supporting England and not Scotland.
Scotland were nay in it cos ya did nay qualifie! AGAIN

The English public and press are such sore losers and hypocrites. Although I agree that diving is all too prevalent in todays game (by all teams including England), I think that Ronaldo was clearly the best young player in the tournament. What is worst diving or stamping on a fellow players groin. The Ronaldo bashing saves England having to admit that their team played woefully the whole tournament (and were lucky not to meet a top team earlier) and that Rooney's temper got them knocked out.

Ronaldo is an amzing player, but what he did last night against france diving at every oppertunity was a disgrace, i think that rooney deserved to be send off, because he has trop on somebody bollocks on purpose and then swore at the ref, 2 yellow card offences, in my opinion the young player shud be messi, he played amazing when he cam on and turned defences inside out, i got the e-mail about vting fot that ecuador player, which is pathetic, we all know ronaldo is a great player, but diving makes a great player rubbish

Ronaldo is one of the greatest players of the 2006 World Cup.

English fans need to stop directing their frustration at yet another failure in a big tournament at Ronaldo and direct it at the real culpurits, Ericsson - for his tactical imptness, Lampard for his terrible performances in every game, Gerrard for his low performance levels, Beckham and to a small extent Rooney.

I also felt a hint of anti-Portuguese sentiment in the commentary and analysis by the BBC's so-called experts!! Now now sore losers

Hmm...so the top 3 players go through. Looks like people need to start voting to push him down to 4th!

You only had to watch the game against France to see he hasn't learnt anything this world cup. Personally i'm fed up of seeing players going down holding there face after a nudge on the arm so if this means he doesn't win the award he has himself to blame. Also, it seems he was only a clear leader because of the Scottish vote anyway!

What concerns me is that FIFA have allowed him to be on the list in the first place. What kind of message does this send ot to all young footballers out there. That simulation, diving, cheating what ever you want to call it is an acceptable part of the game. They obviously see that footage of his antics and turn a blind eye to it. But then I guess we knew that anyway after Luis Figo escaped with a yellow card during the dutch encounter for blantantly headbutting an opponent. Good work FIFA, at least they talk a good game vene if they don't watch the real thing.

I can't believe so many self proclaimed real football fans are urging people to vote for Valencia over Ronaldo. What has Valencia done? He was good against Poland and Cost Rica, but I'm not even sure he was on the pitch against Germany, and he did nothing against England. How on earth can he be allowed to win the award? For all of Ronaldo's antics (and let's face it, he's no worse than Henry, Van Bommel, Pauleta, Ballack and Crouch in the cheating stakes) he has been the outstanding player for a team that reached the semi finals. I looked down the list and couldn't see any other players listed that had done half as much as he has this tournament. Podolski perhaps? It is an insult to the award, to football fans, and to Valencia himself if Valencia wins the award.

I'm curious as to why Conaldo has got so many votes anyway. Fabregas has had a significantly greater impact on the tournament even though Spain went out a round earlier.

Ronaldo hasn't scored, he's not set anything up and he can barely lift his head when doing 58 stepovers in order to see a team mate so he can pass.

It's all well and good that he can do all these tricks but if all they're doing is giving the opposition time to get back and defend then they're not much use are they?

As he so ably demonstrated with that magnificent swan dive against the French last night, he is indeed a little cheating so and so.

I'm English and live in Scotland and am fed up generally with the national stereotyping that goes on. When I lived in England we would always support Scotland / Wales / Ireland in whatever tournament they were playing in unless they were playing us and I always assumed they would do the same... then I moved here and discovered that there is a crazy amount of hatred for the English which people justify by saying that we bring it on ourselves by our attitude... now I know there are a lot of rubbish folk that support England but really it goes too far.
Re the email, yup I received it. I didn't watch all of the England game (pub too hot) so wasn't aware of the Wayne Rooney affair but I know that I don't like Ronaldo's attitude or the way he plays the game, so I voted negatively against him. This is not because I am bitter about losing to Portugal or because I have an English complex (otherwise I would have voted for Rooney) it is purely because I think that someone who acts like he does doesn't deserve to win an award for it.
And for the record I have heard lots of English people saying that we didn't win because we weren't good enough so we don't all blame everybody else.

What's truly bizarre is that Theo Wallcot is in the top half of the vote without even playing! Gooner voters I suppose

Whoever wins the Young Player of the Year award is effectively representing all the up and coming talented players around the world, and showing the next generation of footballers what they should be like. If Ronaldo wins then it means the next generation of children in this country will grow up diving and cheating - thats not what we need or want! Valencia is a good player in his own right, and I hope he wins the vote - he has the right attitude for football as well as the talent.

I am from England and I'm ashamed to be English. The whole country is full of bad losers who have to blame other people to excuse the fact that they have a sub-standard football team who never stood a chance of winning the World Cup - in fact they were lucky to get so far. The media reaction to Ronaldo is nothing short of sickening. Rooney clearly should have been sent off, has everyone forgotten that he should be blamed for his sending off? Like Ronaldo said, he isn't a referee, he cannot decide to send someone off. Alan Shearer's comments after the game were appalling, saying that it is ok to go into the dressing room and punch Ronaldo. This is a former player that was celebrated in England, it shows the mentality of the English football fan. This comment was made on the BBC who pride themselves on being impartial. The BBC has been far from impartial and has made a great effort to victimise Ronaldo which is a disgrace.

I don't think there is a young player who can scop Ronaldo in this world cup. This can be in tactics,his confidence. you can even consider how the defeders look when he touches the ball.
Or you can see how the players tackle on him,like the match against Netherlands.

Now hopfully,you can say "RONALDO IS THE BEST YOUNG PLAYER TODAY!!!!"
vote CHRISTIAN!

It's funny when people insult the English for being losers who can't take losing. Yes we can, we lost, we're over it, just because you read the tabloids doesn't mean we all think like them.

Yes Ronaldo (named after Ronald Reagan by the way) is a good footballer and a passionate cheat. Admirable in some cultures but not here in England. Let's hope that FIFA can learn from the Portugese and their football 'style' to make it a better, more beautiful game in the future i.e. come down harshly on cheats (whatever the nation).

Ronaldo is a disgrace to his country. I beleive any player cought diving, during a game or afterawards by a fifa panel should get an instant 2 match ban minimum. Therefore Ronaldo would not have played in half the world cup games, but Henry would not have been there to win that pen against portugal.

The english are bad losers but at least we play an honest game. Any idiot can see Portugal are big cheats, but are not alone

will you english get over it! you were patently not good enough to go through. you lot must agree that if gerrard, lampard etc played to their potential and weren't shadows of their usual selves then this argument would be moot. rooney is a petulant little gimp at the best of times. you really need to learn your limitations as a footballing nation. peace out. kkthxbye.

What's honour got to do with football. If honour was an issue, Rooney would be the subject of hate not Ronaldo. England lost thanks to Rooney, Eriksson and Beckham, they make me sick. Nothing to do with Ronaldo, he's PORTUGUESE and did not invent diving. If he wants to act in support of Portugal he can. Wayne Rooney probably stayed in the boxing ring too long, he's the most unattractive, violent, unimaginative, overrated footballer playing for England that I've had the misfortune to watch. I couldn't believe his behaviour at being substituted. He not Ronaldo needs help.

I have had the fortunate pleasure of catching most of the games in this world cup, and the Portugal "gamesmanship" has been disgusting. This has been led by Ronaldo's diving.

For those of you that think that this is just English bitternes:
1) I am Welsh, and therefore genetically dislike the English
2) There is VIDEO EVIDENCE of Ronaldo and teammates faking all over the place - far more than other teams put together!

Ronaldo is a very talented player, but people (certainly British) value sportsmanship above precocious talent.

"CHEATING"

Ronaldo deserves all he gets and this is not all bitterness re: rooney. hes a big boy. he can take it. this is the same sentiment focused toward drogba last season, and frankly any other players who 'cheat'. its not sporting, its not a good example and in some cases I would go so far as to call it disgusting (as disgusting as hate campaigns and xenophobia !!). I for one am growing very very tired of it. I still play competitive football at a reasonable level (age 29) and this behaviour is filtering down. it will spoil my love of the game. it must be nipped in the bud in all its forms.

Clearly mr blatter has no idea how ... ohh erm, 3 yellows, erm 2 refs ???!!! get with the age of modern technology !! although he acknowledges the problem

the reasons for the responses you read, the booing, the email (i voted) etc is because the root of the problems are not being addressed.

SPORTSMANSHIP

ronaldo et al ... please go and play in other leagues so your antics are not totally adopted here to achieve a level playing field ... or at least until we have the solutions implemented.

U english fans are just sore loosers. Lay of ronaldo he was jus backin his team mate as wud have rooney dun had he been in dat position. As for divers and cheats wa bout drogba many times in da premiership and wa about henry during the game against spain. Oh yeh and diving is not as bad as stamping on a mans family jewels. u lot hav always got an excuse ur acting as if ronaldo took ur penalties and missed em. And ronaldo does deserve the award and knowing you fans u mite aswell vote for theo walcott.

We are spoiling Rooney

Last night I watch France beat Portugal and like many people in this country I was really happy with the results. I supported France because Portugal in their game with England like their other games were poor and I wanted the better team to win.
What surprised me so much was the booing that followed every kicked of the ball by Ronaldo. What was his crime, I kept on asking myself and friends watching with me. Am I the only person missing something, when the press (radio, television, papers etc) are all brandishing him a cheat and the “sole” person responsible for Rooney’s sending off? What did Ronaldo do that David Beckham's, A. Cole or John Terry has NEVER done? Maybe his crime is that he did not plead with the referee to keep Rooney (his team mate) on the pitch.
The point is that Rooney was sent off and when Rooney is sent off, someone’s got to pay the price for our golden boys sending off. Ronaldo’s got to pay the price and should even be declared non grata to this country. We lost because Rooney was off and Rooney was off because of Ronaldo. Rooney did nothing wrong and will thus not apologise to ANYBODY. In his own words, he was "gobsmacked" for the sending off but no, not apologetic!. Did he led the team down? The answer to that question is flying in the wind.
Rooney says; "If you ask any player - and indeed almost any fan - they will tell you that I am straight and honest in the way I play”. I love this country dearly and hold Man United to my heart but I am not one of those fans and what I see on the pitch or on television will not be confused by what is said by Ian Wright or Alan Shearer. We all saw what happened but these two guys bend it all to Ronaldo. Rooney’s action, accidentally or not was a straight red card fault and Rooney needs to be reminded that part of the game is avoiding such accidents and committing them will imply letting your team down!
When David Beckham's was sent off in 1998 for a stupid fault (which he could equally claim was accidental), we all rose up against him and he got the message clean and clear, “be good young man, you are special but must not let this nation down again!. David learned from it and went on to captain this country to the next two world cups. We had a chance to prepare Rooney for this world cup when he was sent off against Northern Ireland, but what did we say; he’s young with a strong fighting spirit, he will learn things latter, you can’t take that from him, that’s how he is. Did he learn anything from it? Yeah he did; that he is the special one that does nothing wrong, he’s the golden boy who’ll win the world cup single handed for us. We informed him that he was the God that could make everything possible for us and when he was substituted in his first game, he reacted by kicking and throwing his toys out of the pram. Instead of reminding him that football is a team game and to stay on the pitch he needs to play well, we all took the blame from him saying “he’s hungry to play and frustrated”. What did he learned? He realised that everyone understands his frustration and he can even carry it to the pitch. He showed part of that frustration to Carvalho, Ronaldo and any of the bottles he meet on his way after the sending off! Did Rooney learn or has he learn anything? He must have, if he continues listening to our formal pros and the press urging him to start the new season by picking up a fight with his team mate on the first training day.
The most surprising thing is the fact we continue to say he’s a young man, he’s still young. Was he the youngest boy in this tournament? Was he the only stricker that was playing alone up front? I couldn’t stop admiring the young Ronaldo playing upfront, on the left wing, the right wing and even in the central midfield for his country. Frustration!!!
We not Rooney have the choice to send him the Beckham way or the George Best/ Gaza way. Rooney will take what so ever the press and supporters tell him the right way and we still have enough time to mould him before the European cup and the next world cup. I hope we will teach Rooney to lead England and not catering Town or an unknown Chinese team.
Ronaldo not Rooney will receive the reception that was reserved for Beckham after France 98 and if he continues the way he played last night, then I’m certain that Ronaldo not Rooney will go on to lead his country and stand up like a role model for millions of children around the world.

Edwin is a foreigner in England

Why can't England fans leave leave this promising young player alone and admit their defeat? Sore losers!

In the Ronaldo-Rooney incident, Rooney and the English press have proven themselves to be the real cry babies.

It was a World Cup match, and Ronaldo was playing for the other side. Get over yourselves.

This has got nothing to do with the Rooney incident.
I'm over all that - England didn't deserve to go any further playing like that, but there is no way I would want to see Ronaldo win an award for his performances. What kind of example would that set? Along with many other players, he's been diving his way through the tournament and shouldn't be rewarded. He's a cheat.

Fantastic I say...Vote Valencia (whoever he is)

As for losig with Dignity - coming from a Jock that's hilarious. They're bitter to the end...

These English fans are just too pathetic. I had always thought the English could be fair but surprised they are this petty. Now, Ronaldo is a villain, what of that bonehead, Rooney? Ronaldo definitely carries a baggage (a heavy one) but he is still the best young player of this tournament, by miles! All right-thinking voters should choose him and ignore these sore losers. Maybe the best way to pacify them is to simply declare an English Fatwah against Ronaldo.

There is certainly something going on and I am happy to have been part of it. A noticeboard at the club which I support had an entry that the cheating one was leading the poll for best young player. We were all exhorted to vote for Valencia. I did so and emailed 50 friends to do the same. From our one club several thousand votes would have been cast for Valencia. Across England tens of thousands would have been cast.

It is democracy in action: a grassroots revolt which shows massive revulsion against Ronaldo in influencing the referee to send off Wayne Rooney.

If the BBC wish me to comment further I am quite happy to do so.

Well, if you read your own news-site you'll see that scottish football fans got him up there in the first place, only for english fans to email around and vote the ecuadorean above him in the last 24 hours. ahhh the joys of the internet cum world cup

Did Rooney deserve to get sent off, of course!
Is anyone disputing that!?
But Ronaldo is a disgrace, headbutting wayne rooney before the game, trying to get him sent off and then winking when the mission was accomplished and to think some of you acuse england supporters of being unsporting and immature…

The guy gets everything he deserves!

Can I ask why no-one has mentioned the amount of votes Ronaldo got from Scottish fans??

Hmmm. Besides I couldn't watch either team last night, lost all respect for Henry in champions league final, can't stand watching Portugal in any competition be it league, cup or international.

We'd do well to concentrate on the short-comings of our own side. The much-lauded Lampard proved to be a waste of a plane ticket. Sven got everything wrong but more imporant was the small number of players who showed any pride or urgency. Poor Wright-Phillips and others who have the hunger that our bunch (apart from Rooney) lacked. Rooney was sent off for his shove. The ref showed no sign of pulling ANY cards before that. It was harsh and probably wrong to send him off but that's that. Portugal and Porto have cheated their way to success of late but they are not the only team or nation. It is up to FIFA and referees to issue harsh penalties to stamp it out. Arsenal and Chelsea have enjoyed Viera and Henry, Drogba et al going down so complaining because some related to Old Trafford does it seems silly.

This over reaction to Ronaldo is becoming ridiculous.
Would people have the same opinions if Portugal had played the Germans and someone had been sent off under the same circumstances ?
I think not.
As for the continous accusations of diving, yes he has but have we also see our own Steven Gerrad falling over for no reason ?
Did we not see Henry falling over, rolling round and clutching his face when the replays clearly showed no one had touched him. Totti has also gone to ground very easliy as have lots of players in the tournement.
On the Henry incident even Ian Right was moved to say "i am really dissapounted in Henry" but that was all that was said, why ? He cheated just the same and should be castigated in the same way that Ronaldo is being.

Lets face it, this reaction is because Rooney was sent off, we lost the game, Ronaldo was their best player and of course he scored the penalty to put us out.
As for the coverage in last nights game from the BBC i thought it was absolutly outrageous.
Are they not supposed to be impartial and comment on what is actually happening instead of expressing views and theitr own personel opinions ?
John Motson was a disgrace.

What happened between Ronaldo and Rooney in the game of Portugal Vs England isn't unusual in the game of football. If you can just be impartial for a moment you'd know that whenever a player from one team is fouled by an opposing teams player, sometimes the fouled players team mates protest. Can you say, without a doubt, that Ronaldo called for a red card on Rooney? If an opponent had done to one of our players what Rooney did to the Portugese player, do you think players of any team, England included, would sit back? We've complained to refs aswell. How many players, English ones too, have applauded a yellow or red card given to an opponent? If you were to stop being so emotional and bitter, you'd know that there's not one perfect team out there. I don't hear us protesting about Crouch's header against T&T when he held the opposings players hair to gain an advantage in getting the header and goal. If you look for faults on the English team as well as the others, you will find them. Argentina were pretty viscious against Mexico, but wait; Argentina didn't play us so it's OK for them to get away with it. Tim Borowski said something towards the Argentinians right at the end of the Germany Vs Argentina game and we all know what happened next. Why aren't we criticising every other team? Is this because we lost to Portugal? If Ronaldo was on the England team, would as many people be as against him for this award?

Being someone who enjoys a good game of football but sees it as only a game, if this world cup is a measure of the quality of International football then the game is in a truly sorry mess as I can't recall a single game that will stay in the memory for the football but plenty that will for the childish antics of many of the players.

Considering that Ronaldo's behaviour was no worse than the actions of so many other players in this tournament it seems churlish to pick only on him. It seems to me after watching this world cup that the average professional football player has only confirmed that they are nothing more than cheating, lying spoilt children who will do anything that they think they can get away with and where the end always justifies the means. So much for the beautiful game.

The English fans are a bunch of bad losers. The reality is that Rooney is nothing but an over-rated spoilt brat. He should be held responsible for his irresponsible behaviour on the football field. He deserve the RED CARD. Please leave Ronaldo alone.

well get it over with Ronaldo thing.It was not for him that Rooney gets red.If there is someone that should be responsible for the sending off it is Rooney's own reputation and secondly sven's tactic.
Ronaldo is a player with a lots of skills that the whole england team doesn't have.
THEY EVEN CANT SCOORE A PENALTY KICK

For all those self-righteous, holier than thou England fans - it wasn't the French supporters booing Ronaldo. It was the England supporters who bought tickets for the game convinced that their team would be there.

Portugal have not been great in the tournament, but then neither were England and it was only a matter of time before they were knocked out.

These hate campaigns start after every tournament England are knocked out of and the people that start them are scum - Ronaldo did nothing wrong, Rooney got himself sent off because he is an animal pure and simple. If you need someone to blame, blame the team for bottling it, or the coach for being pish!

I have to say I am absolutely ashamed to be an England fan after all this. Ronaldo did not make us go out of the world cup. Svens bad substitutions and ultimately Wayne Rooneys pure stupidity did. I am a United fan and so love rooney proably more than a lot of other english fans but the fact is simple he is a thug!! We keep defending him like this he is never going to learn. Remember against spain, against northern ireland?! Why we criticise ronaldo I dont know - yes he is a team mate but surely we want our players to put country before club anyway!! I would like to challenge any of the moronic ronaldo bashers to say if rooney had gone down, blatantly stamped on by one of the argentina players, steven gerrard and gary neville (as well as a host of others) wouldnt have rushed in. Half these people clearly dont watch football! Remember gerrard + crouch v newcastle?! Our players are just as shameful - gerrards dive v hungary, joe coles diving all the time, crouchy pulling hair..

If we dont stop defending our players and criticising everyone else, not only are we nothing more than hypocrites but we will never win anything because rooney will always get wound up - imagine a cannavaro or ayala up against him, masters of winding up the strikers. Defending him like this is just adding to our next humiliating collapse.

Pathetic.

You English like to blame others for your limitation. Rudeney is the worst player in the world. Ronaldo is the greatest.

and furthermore...

why do the bbc find it impossible to ever criticise le wonderful thierry, yes i am biased because he plays for arsenal but not a word has been said about his antics, probably the worst bit of acting of the tournament where he clutched his hands to face after no contact v spain..

and last night, yes carvalho touched him, watch the replays - half a second AFTER he flings himself to make sure...

Yet ronaldo takes all the flack for.. wait... complaining to the ref after his team mate gets stamped on?!

Its not liek he made any fuss of rooneys push either he just stood there and took it.

Yes he goes down all the time but at least most of the time he is touched, he wins free kicks (most of the time) rather then inventing them. (which i know he does do to).

All the players are doing it - we are just sore losers.

In my opinion Ronaldo has not been the best young player in the World Cup whatsoever. It is obvious from watching him that he genuinley believes it is OK to cheat in order to win. I admire intregity and honesty in footballers and I dont think the best players in the world should need to rely on gamesmanship in order to win matches. For me Ronaldo is a symbol for the whole Portugese side, whose contribution to the latter stages of the tournament was almost entirely negative. They represent everything that is so frustrating about international football at the moment; consistently diving, play acting, whinging and encouraging referees to book opposing players. They have had an incredibly negative impact in this World Cup and the latter stages of the tournament was rescued only by the Germany vs Italy semi final which reminded me what the World Cup is actually all about. I am an Everton fan and am embarrassed to have a Portguese international in our team at the moment.

What carry on people in England are having over the Ronaldo/Rooney issue, some people should grow up . . . starting with so-called journalists in England's joke media outlets. If the boot had been on the other foot (pardon the pun) those same people would have been lauding the perpetrator to the heavens!

I'd just like to say to the England fans, please try to lose with a little dignity. I honestly have never seen England lose a game and not have someone to blame for it. Ronaldo's behaviour was a little distasteful, but I'd be incensed if I saw my international teammate violently assaulted by a thugh like Rooney. Face it, England were fortunate to be at that stage and were one of the poorest sides in the competition. You should be a bit more like the Scots, we can take defeat and have a joke about it. We do not encourage a whole country to hate a 20 year old. Now Ronaldo is going to have to watch his back when he gets back to England because so many people will want to attack him. That's a sad inditement of British culture.

A lot of foreign fans on here moaning that England do the same as Ronaldo - diving, cheating etc. Anyone who knows anything about England and the Premiership will know that the English do not like cheats - this was why there was such an outcry over Stevie G diving in the penalty box earlier in the tournament - in every other country this would have been par for the course and a bit of "cunning trickery" and would not even have raised an eyebrow - over here it was condemned and Ian Wright was bang out of order when he said that "we should do it to others as they will do it to us". Not in the spirit of the game at all.

FIFA's two main tenets are abolishing racism in football and promoting fair play. Throughout this World Cup Portugal have not exhibited one ounce of sportsmanship. That is why they are being universally condemned by many football fans.

Last night's game against the French saw even more deplorable antics. Miguel went down after tripping over himself, there was no contact from a Fench player, but the first thing Pauleta does is start screaming for a foul with his hands in the air. Similarly, Ronaldo's dive on the edge of the box was a blatant attempt at trickery and his dive inside the box was even worse. That's just three examples that stick out in my mind. I'm sure Pauleta was involved in more, as was Meira. I hope the TSG panel give the Young Player award to a player who exhibits attributes that FIFA want to be associated with. For my money, Fabregas or Podolski should be the winner.

Now, on to that Rooney red card. I have watched that video over and over. I absolutely do NOT believe that the ref intended the red at the start of the incident, he was going to give a free kick and have done with it. Look at the picture at the bottom of the page in this link:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5153870.stm

The ref QUITE CLEARLY is indicating a free kick with his arm. If you refute that then you're blinkered. He then rapidly changed his mind and set off after Rooney after Ronaldo's tirade. The ref has said in the media that he fully intended the red from the moment the whistle went. Absolute rubbish. Again, if you believe that you're an idiot.

All in all, I just don't think Ronaldo played fairly, nor did Portugal, and I am very glad that they went out, they're a disgrace. Mind you, England were a disgrace too, what with Cole's diving, Crouch's hair-pulling etc.

So Giddy - in response to post #64, how has a "spotty little oik" rubbed it in? A gesture to his own team mates has infuriated a nation and incurred the wrath of you all?

As opposed to Rooney - a guy so mild mannered he'd never do anything wrong and is the sort of guy you could take home to meet your Gran - who ended up stamping on the tackle of an opponent.

I find it incredible that Rooney's behaviour has been completely ignored - he's a walking timebomb looking for a reason to explode. he's brought shame on himself as well as stamped on any chance you had of progressing, yet "Ronald O" has been the scapegoat to avoid any blame on the shoulders of Wonder Boy.

It's also amazing how you all jump on the bandwagon, saying that you need to erradicate this sort of behaviour in football, yet the players who are some of the worst offenders are plying their trade in your self-proclaimed "best league in the world".... and don't forget, Robinson's dive was only "cheeky" while a few hours later henry's was "shameful". Double standards?

And as for the comments regarding how he's done this to earn a move to Real Madrid - could you blame him for not wanting to play for Man Utd now? The media hate him, you have the likes of Shearer encouraging somebody to "do him" in training and generally trying to hound him out the game. This the same Alan Shearer with so much ambition and confidence in his own talent he retired from International football (realise you weren't good enough Al?) and also spent the majority of his career at a nothing club where he could be the proverbial big fish in the small pond.

Giddy at 64 is right - I think the majority of the English press and fans have pointed at Sven's tactics (if that's what they were...) and team selection.

But nobody likes smugness. And to be honest, if Portugal had only played dirty in that one match, people would have put it down to their tactics to beat the English. But as it was, they did it against the Dutch, and if you look back to Euro 2004, they were not angels then either.

It also seems like Ronaldo is one of those kids who likes to wind people up, including his team mates. He did it to Ruud Van Nistelrooij, and Wayne Rooney.

You know the story about the boy who cried "wolf"? He kept running back into the village saying there was a wolf lurking nearby. There was no wolf. But when there really WAS one, nobody believed him and he was attacked. Well this time the wolf was a combination of French discipline and a brilliant referee.

Overall, I think Portugal's play-acting is a team effort, and I'm glad they're out. The French did the Dutch and the English a favour, now I hope they win the whole thing.

#72
you wrote:

"Not at all, as much as England may dive, we do it in reflex mode."

Winking can be a reflex, too.

Ronaldo isn't just a bad player. He is a dishonest individual,whose behaviour is detrimental to footbal. He can't just win. I don't see any skills refered to in most messages. He is just a dancer masqerading as a footballer. I wish he were expelled from ManU just as that Korean player in 2002.

Ronaldo was one of the best players on the park last night, as he was against England. He doesnt deserve the negative comments that are being made about him. No one is complaining about the fact that Rooney quite clearly stamped his foot on Nuno Valentes leg and lost his temper and pushed Ronaldo. It should be Rooneys behaviour that we are discussing not Ronaldo's. Also given that Rooney plays in the same team as Ronaldo - should he really behave in such a childish manner towards his 'work collegue'. But then again perhaps if this hadnt happened, the England comentators would'nt have their excuses as to why England didnt win the world cup!

I have no idea what the English supporters are up to. The fact is Rooney intentionally stepped on Ricardo's groin. I saw the video on and on and I have no doubt about it. They should be pleading with the Fergie and Maclaren to work on Rooney's behaviour before something really worse happens. Do not exercise the anger on Ronaldo, the referree saw it all. Move on and counsel your future star.

To the Scot who lauds Ronaldo - such lack of graciousness and integrity - of course you want England to lose, it's normal but to defend bad sportsmanship like that is risible.

If the English are the people to be commenting on the sportsmanship of any player, then they should protray it themselfves. True, that Christiano Ronaldo acted like a little baby at times, but we forget that he is afterall only 21. Taking Rooney into account, he would not have been so stupid in front of the refereee if he had a bit more maturity. Players and people learn these things as time go on. I think the english fans themselves need to grow up before pointing fingers.

Of course it has been hijacked! And rightly so.......

Even as an Englishman I don't have any particular axe to grind against Ronaldo concerning the Rooney incident, suprising to some maybe, but we lost because we didn't score and we are rubbish at penalty shoot-outs. My view for what it's worth on the issue is Rooney (accidently or not) stood on this guy's "tomatoes" and I think the ref was possible considering a yellow, but following the push of Ronaldo he opted for red. That's not neccessarily the fault of Ronaldo, that's as much upto Rooney to keep his temper in-check when the ref's fishing in his pocket for a card. Don't get me wrong I think players who remonstrate with the ref to give other players a card, should in fact themselves be shown a card (yellow).

HOWEVER, the idea of him being voted Best Young Play is terrible, simply because it sends out completely the wrong message to young players and kids; that diving and feigning injury etc is the way to play, and frankly I think this issue is already damaging football, nevermind the future game.

He clearly is a manipulator (oh let's say it; cheat) in trying to gain fouls, and this was in my view even more apparent in the game against france last night, his attempt to get free-kicks or penatlties is woeful, I recall one particulary incident when challenged by Signol on an incoming high-cross his attempt was blatant; mid air, on realising his chances of heading the ball had gone, arching his back and out-stretching his arms with a face of sheer agony was pathetic. And he wasn't the only one, it's obviously a directive to the Portuguese team, having said that Ronaldo & Co (the majority) do it in their respective domestic games.

To make matter worse he doesn't even see the folly of his ways and appears to have no shame at all, quoted today as saying " We played well and did our best but the referee didn't help us," This suggests to me he has no idea of the level of his own deceiving, and a misconceived idea of what the ref is there for "Everyone who saw the match could see that the referee wasn't fair." Is he talking about the same game?

For the sake of our Kids vote for anybody, but Ronaldo

It was actually Carvalho's groin not Ricardo's Terence, I think you need to watch the video again

I noticed when reading through the comments on this posting board that a number of the emails refer to 'Britain' or 'British' when they really mean England/English. Please try and get it right as it's very hurtful to us Scottish - we are also British.

Ronaldo = Cheat, and does not deserve any sort of recognition by FIFA. What kind of example would that set to the up and coming players. Throw yourself on the floor, try desperately to get players sent off. It's a disgrace, regardsless of whether Rooney offended or not. I loved the reaction to him in last nights game, it was great to see that the majority recognise him for what he is.

As for the Scottish attempting to influence the vote, crikey you didn't even manage to win that with a huge headstart!!

I note one of the earlier contributors to this debate bemoaned Ronaldo "...moaning, crying and stamping his foot when he doesn't get his own way. " Surely a fair description of Rooney's reaction to the red card he rightly received for violent conduct.
Try to be objective- England were rubbish and didn't deserve to progress to the semi finals. Ronaldo was one of the most entertaining players at the tournament and the casual aplomb with which he struck his penalty merely highlighted how abject the efforts from Lampard, Gerrard and Carragher had been.

Does anybody take into consideration how Luis Valencia might feel if he wins knowing that he only won because people weren´t FOR him but AGAINST Ronaldo? I would only be glad about an honour being voted "best young player" if I honestly deserved it for what I really acheived. By launching this truely childish and useless voting campaign you aren´t only hurting Ronaldo but also Luis Valencia.

It's disturbing to see the amount of raw hatred pervading this blog, not for Ronaldo, but for the English. So many comments are irrelevant and seem to be an excuse to have a go at the English. Let's get some things straight shall we: 1. the media do not equal the public. Every time there's a large tournament, the press work up a hype (perhaps so the defeat is all the more spectacular when they come to sell their newspapers after we go out) that is not reflected by reasonable Englishmen, who did NOT assume that England were going to win the tournament. Why should they have a better chance then the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Italy, France, etc.? We're not stupid. Stop swallowing the rubbish in the press and talk to the guy in the street. 2. To this day I have not seen a single word written anywhere to suggest that Ronaldo was responsible for England's exit. So where has this bizarre criticism that the English must find a scapegoat come from? The British nations have a strong sense of sportsmanship and are disgusted at the antics of many foreign teams, Ronaldo crossed the line in a big way by doing this against his own club teammate, the rest of the criticism is just aftershock. Foreigners that post here have been brought up with a mentality very alien to sportsmanship and should try to understand it before making comments about "Ronaldo did what he had to do". 3. It is not just the English that are criticising the Portuguese. I speak five languages, including Portuguese, and have been reading news in all those languages. Unsurprisingly the Portuguese think they should have had a spate of penalties last night and that Henry's wasn't a penalty at all. This is the kind of mentality we're dealing with. 4. Before criticising the English for voting for Valencia to beat Ronaldo, bear in mind that Ronaldo himself was put there by an intense media campaign in Portugal and, surprise surprise, the Scottish, who really need to take a look at themselves before they get on their soap box about the English.
5. Yes, diving has crept into the English game and is becoming a problem, but this IS criticised by the English public who are determined to see the end of it, whereas in Portugal and Argentina, for example, this kind of behaviour is often seen as 'clever'; there is also a huge difference between occasionally diving and getting back up again, and diving, feigning serious injury, and surrounding the referee brandishing imaginary cards nearly EVERY SINGLE TIME there's a foul. Keep things in perspective please. 6. Do the English turn a blind eye when their own players dive? Rubbish. The fact that those criticising this are able to point this out is because it has been shown to them by press and TV. Crouch's hair pull against Portugal was replayed multiple times and commented upon, Henry (to the guy writing above) received some very damning criticism after his tangle with Pujol, if these comments don't seem as harsh as against Portugal players then this is because the former do it on occasions and not at every possible opportunity. 7. To say that teammates' protests is 'normal' is far from the truth. It is not normal, did anybody see the Portuguese surrounding the referee last night after one of their player's had gone down with not a France player near him? They do it out of habit and because they know that they are wearing the referee down, the more they protest and show that they are hard done by, the more likely the referee is to give out bookings, sendings off, free kicks, and penalties. Barcelona do it for fun. It works. This is bad enough in itself, but why pick on Ronaldo in particular? What short memories you people have: HE DID IT AGAINST HIS OWN CLUB TEAMMATE.

Anybody that debates these points does not understand the power of sportsmanship in the minds of the British. It's not surprising to see that most of the pro-Ronaldo party here is foreign. It just shows that it is a lost cause trying to advertise sportsmanship and fairplay to latin countries, and looking at the trend in the Premiership it is disturbingly going in the opposite direction.

This is all a little hypocritical isnt it, was it not rooney who went running over to the referee to ensure petit was booked in the first half.
Also you all seem to be forgetting rooney stamped on a player and deserved to go. Ronaldo defending the player on his own team from rooneys frustrations is hardly shocking, im sure had ronaldo stamped on anyone rooney would have been straight over. Every pundit and ex player with the exception of marcel dessailly seems keen to tell tales themselves about ronaldos antics but its some how not okay for ronaldo to encourage disiplinary action towards an opposition player stamping on his fellow team mate. Think you all are a little keen to blame somebody else for an england campaign that showed the team cant pass well or work as a unit. Boring in my opinion

Everytime I see all the hate directed towards Ronaldo, it makes me even more satisfied that England lost to his sublime, (Ball Kissed) penalty kick. Do me a favor England, get a mirror and take a long, good look into it. Then grow up, please!

To all Scots contributing to this thread - until the next time (if ever) Scotland qualify for a major tournament, mind your own business

ronaldo deserves better than what is available

The fan vote is OVER!

The 6 nominees have been chosen and Ronaldo is one of them.
So all the pathetic England "fans" who think they are getting revenge on Ronaldo for forcing Rooney to stamp on Carvalho can calm down. Their votes were wasted.
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060704/1/8kvr.html

A FIFA commitee will award the prize. I think Podolski will get it as it will be a nice "Thank You" to Germany for a great WC. Ronaldo should come close though. He was excellent last night. Even the BBC admitted he was the best attacking player onthe pitch.

Oh come on, sour grapes by the English all round I think. No matter what Ronaldo was up to England should have thrashed Portugal, but instead like in the previous games before, they under achieved so badly, were so dull, uninventive, bereft of ideas that they have no one to blame but themselves.

If it is true about the Scottish vote for Ronaldo then they must have a warped and perverse intelligence....will they ever learn!