Eusebio, the Portuguese football legend, says he expects Cristiano Ronaldo to be named Fifa World Player of the Year in December.

The 23-year-old has only just returned from ankle surgery but Eusebio believes his compatriot is certain to take the prize. "Officially, the best player is Kaka," Eusebio said. "However, I believe today that Cristiano is the best without any doubt. I have always said that he has everything it takes to become the best player in the world."

Ronaldo has shown no lingering effects from the summer-long transfer saga involving Real Madrid. However, Eusebio says he never expected Ronaldo to leave Old Trafford, where he expects the 23-year-old to thrive.

"I always believed that he would stay in Manchester," Eusebio said. "Depending on his condition and whether his head is in the right place, I think he can get better, because with every year that passes he will gain experience and he'll know how to improve on the pitch.

"He must not forget that he will have to work a lot in terms of pace and ball control, and he is actually good in this respect.

"Therefore, the advice I always give him is that he needs to keep forging ahead in a straight line. Then he will definitely go a long way."