ACCORDING to his peers in England, Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo remains the Premier League's outstanding player.
But when it comes to the world stage he may still have to bow to Lionel Messi.
It is Ronaldo, not Messi, who will grace the final of the Champions League after the Portugal international, voted the Player of the Year by his fellow players for the second year running, helped United to overcome Barcelona in their semi-final yesterday.
No one, though, could have done more than Messi to try to influence the second leg at Old Trafford - apart from match-winner Paul Scholes, who scored the only goal of United's 1-0 victory.
The 20-year-old Messi, three years Ronaldo's junior, was the outstanding attacking player on show and almost single-handedly led Barcelona's attempt to claw back Scholes' early goal and take the 2006 winners through to Moscow with an away goal.
Though United defended well, they could hardly lay a finger on the bewitching winger who rode tackle after tackle to try to create the decisive opening.
One typically elusive run and shot in the first half had United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar at full stretch to save.
DUEL
Thereafter, the Argentina international picked and probed at the United backline to create openings for team-mates which they were unable to take.
Not that Messi is really bothered at his rivalry with Ronaldo.
'More than a duel between me and Ronaldo, this is a game between two big teams and will be a very interesting match,' the Argentinian star said before yesterday's game.
'I try to do the best I can for my team, but who is better, is something for the people who watch football to decide.'
The consensus now seems to be that Messi is better.
Ronaldo's tally of 38 goals this season, including seven in the Champions League, represents an outstanding return.
And, at times, he has proved almost untouchable.
But the effort of leading United's pursuit of a domestic and European double appears to be taking its toll.
And while there was no questioning his commitment to the cause in close to 180 minutes since missing an early penalty in the Nou Camp last week, the United star failed to hurt Barcelona.
What he does have, though, is another chance to state his case in Moscow on 21 May.
An occasion that Messi can only watch and wonder. -- Reuters.
