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Chris Flanagan

FIVE years ago tomorrow, a little known Portuguese winger showed why he was destined to become the greatest player in the world with a dazzling performance against England under 21s.

While most were off for their regular Friday night out, the few who tuned in to Sky Sports on March 28, 2003, witnessed the sort of game not easily forgotten.

A Portugal side including Cristiano Ronaldo, Tiago, Helder Postiga and Hugo Viana - all of whom would end up in the Premier League - beat England 4-2 in a run-down stadium north of Lisbon.

It was a remarkable match, not least because Shola Ameobi looked like a good footballer, scoring twice before getting himself sent off.

But Portugal played with a mesmeric flair and scored some sensational goals - even if they were playing against Titus Bramble.

One man was at the centre of it all. But it wasn't Ronaldo.

Then playing for Sporting, Ronaldo did score but it was Ricardo Quaresma who was the star.

Quaresma used rapid-fire step-overs to blistering effect and looked to be one of the brightest prospects ever seen at under 21 level. The FA website's report suggested this form showed why he was a reported target for Manchester United'.

Quaresma was regarded by many as the best young Portuguese player of that era but he failed at Barcelona and is now back in his home land, where he impresses for Porto but not for Portugal.

Now, it is Ronaldo who has graduated to become the best player in the world - a player so good that his ability transcends traditional club rivalries.

Ask a Benfica fan about a player - past or present - from their Lisbon rivals Sporting and a whirlwind of negativity descends upon them. But ask them about Ronaldo and it is different.

Even if you do not admire the teams he has played for - and plenty of people in England are not exactly gushing in praise for Manchester United - you cannot help but admire Ronaldo's ability.

And, although Kaka remained comfortably the best player in the world 12 months ago despite claims to the contrary, Ronaldo has since surpassed him.

In this column following Ronaldo's winking episode at the 2006 World Cup, I suggested that English football would be better off without him. If he wanted to go to Real Madrid, no-one would miss him.

I was not alone in that view at the time but I owe him an apology.

For the first time in many years, the world's finest footballer plies his trade on our shores.

And, whether you love or hate United, it should not be forgotten what a privilege that is.

* According to one report, this year's planned route for the Olympic torch goes through Tibet to the summit of Mount Everest'.

To the summit? If you've managed to negotiate Tibet without getting shot, which given current events is no certainty, you've then got to scale a 29,000-foot mountain and be back in time for tea.

That's some task but I know just the man for the job.

If Dwain Chambers really wants to show he is rehabilitated and worthy of competing in the Olympics, he won't hesitate to volunteer.

Some detractors might suggest, however, that for Dwain to be forgiven there ain't no mountain high enough.

4:13am Thursday 27th March 2008

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