At the age of 28, Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo has officially established himself as one of Real Madrid's greatest ever players, and one of history's best in his positions. He is easily the world's best player behind Lionel Messi, who is recognized by pundits to be the world's greatest ever player. It is a shame that he lives in the same generation as Messi, since if he was born in any other generation, he would've picked up three or four Ballon d'Ors and etched his name into the history books as one of the best in his generation.

Since arriving from Manchester United for a fee of 80 Million Pounds (a world record), Cristiano Ronaldo came in at an unsteady time at the Spanish capital. Real Madrid were not enjoying the most illustrious time in their history, and the re-appointment of Fiorentino Perez as Real Madrid president caused unrest among the Madrid faithful, but they were nevertheless pleased with Ronaldo's arrival, since most of the plaudits at the time were going to their great rivals Barcelona (a team managed by Josep Guardiola and Lionel Messi, two legends of the game).

He scored 33 goals in 35 games with Madrid in his first season, and helped Madrid rack a total of 96 points under Manuel Pellegrini, but not enough to win Barcelona. Again, Madrid finished another season trophyless. Perez then decided to appoint Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho to take the helms of Madrid, a man who had just come off his second Champions League victory. And Ronaldo changed completely under Mourinho.

As Mourinho came, he brought stability to the squad. Mourinho changed Ronaldo quite a bit. Ronaldo became more mature in his play, and relying more on tactical reasoning than just doing stepovers whenever he got the ball (something he was rather disliked for in England). He learned that the team's priority came first, he became more mature with his words to the press as well (as he was labelled as "arrogant" before, and rightly so). And he became the star of Madrid. All of Madrid's famous counterattacks became focused around him. Whenever Madrid were on the counter, it would be Madrid's #7 who will be sprinting down the left flank at enough speed to cover 100 meters in 10 seconds, and putting the ball into the back of the net at the end of the play.

Their first Clasico went horrid as they were hammered 5-0 at the Camp Nou, but it was a lesson well learned for Madrid and Ronaldo. Ronaldo went on to score 53 goals in 54 appearances that season, and helped Madrid win the Copa del Rey (in the final, he scored a header in extra time against Barcelona).

In his third season at Madrid, and his second under Mourinho, Ronaldo upped another gear. He went ballistic in all competitions, and helped Madrid to the semi finals of the Champions League for the second year running, but had his penalty saved brilliantly by Manuel Neuer in a shootout against Bayern (which they lost). He led Madrid to their first La Liga title in 4 years, and helped his team record 100 points in the league, the first time a team in Spain reached triple digits. He had finally dethroned Barcelona (albeit not for long. Lionel would not let his team live in Ronaldo's shadow the year after). He also scored a record 60 goals, the most a Real Madrid player has ever scored in a single season.

The following season, Ronaldo scored two goals in a two legged affair against Barcelona in the Copa de Espana, which Madrid won on away goals. He's had a horrid time with the team in the league, but he is (so far) the joint highest scorer in the Champions League with 8 goals.

The point I'm trying to make is... Cristiano Ronaldo is not Lionel Messi. He will never be. But does he have to be as good as Messi? Does he really?

Ronaldo is an unbelievably talented player. He's won so much, it's just a shame all credit goes to Messi nowadays. He's come second for the Ballon d'Or as much times as Leo has won it (four), and he's come second to Leo twice. Leo may be the talisman for Barcelona, but Ronaldo is the same for Real. In the 2012-13 season, the Bernabeu crowd has come to love him and adore him, and put him up in the ranks beside Raul, di Stefano, Puskas, Butragueno and the other all-time greats. And rightly so. He's become Madrid's sixth all-time scorer, and in only 3 and a half seasons as well.

Ronaldo will forever remain in Messi's shadow. It also doesn't help that he's older than Messi by two years, meaning that when Ronnie will be 30, Messi will still be well in his prime. But the best thing Ronaldo can do to leave his legacy behind forever is retire as a Real Madrid player. He is already hailed as a legend, and only when his career finally comes to an end will we realize how much this man has accomplished in his life. Truly one of the best left wingers the world has ever offered.

Major Awards

EPL Title - x3
FA Cup
League Cup - x2
Champions League
Club World Cup
La Liga
Copa del Rey
Copa de Espana

International Awards

World Cup fourth place - 2006

EURO Cup Runners up - 2004
EURO Cup Bronze - 2012

Major Individual Awards

Ballon d'Or - 2008

Ballon d'Or Silver award - 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012

FIFA World Player of the Year - 2008

Premier League Golden Boot - 2007-08

La Liga Pichichi Award - 2011-12

European Golden Shoe - 2007-08, 2011-12

EURO 2012 Top Scorer - 3 goals (joint)

UEFA Team Of The Year - 2004, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12

FIFPro Team World XI - 2007, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12

RECORDS (just look how close he is to Messi, all while Messi plays in a central striking role and Ronaldo as a left winger)

Most Goals in a Calender Year (fifth)

Lionel Messi - 91

Gerd Muller - 85

Pele - 75

Zico - 71

C. Ronaldo - 63

Only player to win the Golden Shoe in TWO DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

First ever player to score in 6 different Clasicos

Highest striking rate to win EPL top scorer (31 goals in 34 games)

Most goals scored in a single Real Madrid season - 60

Most goals in a single UEFA CL season with RM - 10 (joint with Raul Gonzalez)

Real Madrid's SIXTH highest all time scorer (188 goals in 186 games)

El Clasico seventh highest goal-scorer - 12 goals

@Dynast: You're right, he didn't wave an imaginary card. My mistake on that part. But if you can't see from the footage that all Rooney was guilty of was losing his footing because of having two people tugging him about the pitch, then I don't know what else to say.

All the ref gave was a foul, and rightly so. It wasn't until all the shenanegins afterward happened that the ref took Rooney aside for the red. If you think Rooney deserved a red for being outraged at his so-called friend trying to get him sent off, then again, i don't know what else to tell you.

Rooney's conscience was clear. There was no shame at all for him.