Cristiano Ronaldo fantastic

Portugal reached the final of Euro 2004, the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup, and the quarter-finals at Euro 2008, but they have struggled in qualification for next year's World Cup and face a play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in November to secure their place. Star player Cristiano Ronald told Bild, "It is a dream. The greatest feeling is for a player to be world champion. Portugal has a good team, but not fantastic. Only with a fantastic performance can you win this title."



Meanwhile the shortlist for FIFA world player of the year has been announced. The country of Spain has six nominees – goalkeeper Iker Casillas, defender Carles Puyol, midfielders Andres Iniesta and Xavi and a pair of strikers in Fernando Torres and David Villa. England have four players on the shortlist – Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and John Terry. But the favorites to win the title are the last two winners of the World Player of the Year award, Cristiano Ronaldo and the Brazilian Kaka.