LONDON — Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player on Planet Football. The Manchester United winger is the current English, European and World Footballer of the Year.

So why does a player with talent to spare, who can mesmerize opponents and spectators with outrageous skill and technique, resort to cheating?

Last Wednesday, Newcastle United's Steven Taylor caught Ronaldo in the neck with his arm and was very fortunate referee Steve Bennett showed him only a yellow card.