Papers: Ronnie's the best

29/12/2006 16:12, Report by Adam Bostock


World No 1
Steve Coppell has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world. Reading face Premiership leaders Manchester United - and the Portuguese star - at Old Trafford tomorrow. Ronaldo, 21, hit four goals over Christmas to help put United four points clear at the top of the Premiership. And Royals boss Coppell, who returns to his old stomping ground, admitted: "Ronaldo is the best player at the moment. Not only is he a terrific player but he is a huge physical specimen as well. He's over six foot, 13 stone, quick, he's got a left foot, a right foot. The list is endless. His qualities are immense, He is tremendous - the one current player who, more than any other, is right at the top end of his game."
Vikki Orvice, The Sun

Other newspaper stories include Rio Ferdinand's assessment of Sir Alex Ferguson's qualities ("He had the b*lls to come and get me for United", The Sun) and an update on the fitness of John Terry, captain of title rivals Chelsea ("Terry aiming to play again just nine days after surgery", Daily Express).

There are also quotes from Ryan Giggs on the episode of TV cartoon The Simpsons, in which Homer says: "Can you believe they gave Giggs a yellow card in the box!" Ryan said: "My mate who watches it rang me up and said, "You've finally made it - you're on The Simpsons! Really famous people have been on The Simpsons, so it was brilliant to be mentioned on it." (Daily Express)