Henry queries Ronaldo nomination

Henry has questioned Ronaldo's consistency

Arsenal's French striker Thierry Henry believes Ronaldo does not deserve to be named the European Footballer of the Year.

The Brazilian forward was the top scorer at the World Cup with eight goals, including two in the final against Germany, to help his team to claim the trophy.

But Henry insisted: "The awards must take into account what a player has done throughout the whole season and not what he has achieved in a single tournament."

And Henry questioned how previous winners have been selected. He said: "When I look at the outcomes I'm a bit confused.

"For example, I still don't understand why (Real Madrid's) Raul has never been awarded. It's a bit weird.

"But for this year, I don't think Ronaldo has been the best player in Europe."

Short-listed

Ronaldo, who joined Real Madrid from Inter Milan in July, is now a strong candidate to regain the crown he won in 1997.

The 26-year-old is also on a short-list of three, along with Oliver Kahn and Zinedine Zidane for Fifa's World Player of the Year award.

But Henry thinks Zidane, Germany's Michael Ballack and Brazil's Roberto Carlos would be more worthy of the European crown than Ronaldo.

"When you see the goal scored by Zidane in the Champions League final it means something," said Henry.

"Ballack was outstanding throughout the year and Roberto Carlos should be rewarded one day or the other," he said.

England's Michael Owen won the award in 2001.