PARIS, Dec 7: Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo denied here on Sunday that he had ever claimed he was the best player in the world.

The 23-year-old insisted that all he had said was that he was well-placed to win the Ballon D’Or (European Player of the Year) award, which he is here to receive later on Sunday.

“I never said that I was the best player in the world,” said the Manchester United winger, who had been quoted as saying that not only was he the best player but also the second and third ones as well.

“I always said that I was well-placed to win the Ballon d’Or.

“I have always had a lot of respect for the other players.

“It is not necessary to say who is the best best player in the world, but who has an advantage, and I was carried along by this hope.

“All the players nominated had the possibility of winning this prize.

“Me I have had this possibility and this privilege, but all the nominees had the qualities to win the award.”Ronaldo, who suffered a hip injury in the 1-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday, reiterated that he saw the award as a means of him only getting better as a player.

“It is always a special thing to reach this level of excellence.

“But the hardest thing is to stay at that level.

“I am very ambitious and a very strong character and a winning mentality.“I want to continue to improve like the best players do. I must carry on my apprenticeship, individually and collectively.

“This Ballon D’Or is the first step on a journey that will go further.”Ronaldo, who was closely linked with a move to Real Madrid last summer, said that Manchester United were like a home from home for him and with whom he won not only the title but also the Champions League last season.

“I have played for five years with Manchester United, a club where I feel at home,” said Ronaldo.

“I arrived there very young, and I have won individual and team titles.

“Today (Sunday) I have this individual reward which makes me happy.

“It is the culmination of work which I put in place a long time ago, but I am ambitious.

“It is imperative that I continue to win both individual and team titles.” Ronaldo beat Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres to the honour on the back of a phenomenal 2007-08 season in which he scored 42 goals.—AFP