World's Best Footballers 2009: Ballon d'Or Winner Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo

The Portuguese has not yet reached the form of the 07/08 season, where his inspirational displays inspired Manchester United to win both the Premier League and Champions League. However, being pipped to the Ballon d'Or in 2007 by AC Milan's Kaka, the winger finally claimed the coveted title this year, along with a clutch of others such as the FIFPro World Player of the Year award and the European Golden Shoe.

Although few would expect a repeat of last year's superhuman season from Ronaldo, he has still attracted much criticism for his performances so far this campaign. The recent hard-fought 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough saw a Ronaldo unable to make his usual stamp on a game, fuelling speculation that he is unhappy at Old Trafford. There is a long way to go until the season's end though, and if his club are to retain their European and league titles, the Portuguese maestro will need to recapture his fine form of last season.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi

The Argentinean wonder boy is in the form of his life for the Catalan giants this campaign, setting La Liga and Europe alight. Many believe that he is technically more gifted than this year's Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, and will lift the award next year, particularly if his form of late continues. His raw talent can perhaps best be seen with his incredible goal against Getafe in the 06/07 season. Quite simply, if Messi has the ball at his feet he is capable of turning a game on its head. The great Maradona has labelled him as his successor, though many figures in football agree that the Argentinean starlet could ascend even greater heights in his career.

Much like Manchester United are heavily reliant on Ronaldo, Barcelona are so much more formidable with Messi on the pitch. The Catalonian club are indeed the bookies' favourites for this year's Champions League and they have already all but won the La Liga title. Messi has spearheaded a resurgent Barca this year, scoring 16 goals in 20 appearances, an outstanding return by anyone's standards. It is often forgotten that he is only 21 years old, remarkable given that he has been recognised as one of the world's best players over the last 3 seasons.

If Cristiano Ronaldo continues his less than impressive season for Manchester United, it is likely that Messi will overtake the Portuguese as the world's greatest footballer in 2009.

Other Players

Apart from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, it is difficult to say which players could break through and challenge them. Kaka, 2007's Ballon d'Or winner is having a good season with AC Milan, but as his club are not involved in this year's Champion's League, he is effectively ruled out of consideration. Though at 26 years of age, the brilliant Brazilian will surely dazzle the world of football once more. Even Ronaldinho has his sights on becoming the world's greatest player once more, stating that he intends to play his way back into contention for next year's Ballon d'Or. Although most consider him to have had his best days already, he is the right side of 30, at 28 years old, and with performances like that of his outstanding goal-winning display for AC Milan against bitter rivals Internazionale, he cannot be ignored.

Then there are players such as Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, Liverpool's Fernando Torres or Inter's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, to name but a few players who will undoubtedly feature in player accolade lists.