(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-19 15:46

LISBON - Top Portuguese sports officials told media on Tuesday that Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo is the world's best soccer player, according to news reports reaching here.

Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo listens to questions during a press conference prior to the the 17th FIFA World Player Gala in Zurich Switzerland, Monday, Dec. 17, 2007. Apart from Ronaldo the nominees to win the FIFA World Player award are Lionel Messi from Argentina and Kaka from Brazil. [Agencies]

Ronaldo, who plays for English team Manchester United, will show his best in the 2008 European championship, said Felipe Scolari, who trains the Portugal national team.

Gilberto Madail, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, said he agreed with Scolari.

Soccer's governing body FIFA had given Cristiano Ronaldo a third place behind Brazil's Kaka and Argentina's Lionel Messil in a vote.

The last Portuguese who topped the FIFA list was Luis Figo in 2001.