Portugal producing the world's best on grass, sand & concrete

The lesser known Ricardinho and Madjer have dominated their respective disciplines of futsal, an indoor five-a-side version of football, and beach soccer thanks to the same mixture of talent and dedication that has made Ronaldo a worldwide phenomenon. So how does a country of just 10 million people, that has also bred previous Ballon d'Or winners Eusebio and Luis Figo, produce such a range of talented players?

"In my case, like Cristiano, Figo or Eusebio, it was a question of personality, of character, of learning and having the courage to say I want to be the best," Ricardinho, a four-time Ballon d'Or winner himself, said.

Madjer's hopes of a career in the traditional professional game were discarded by a motorcycle accident, but the 40-year-old is still going strong on the beaches of Lisbon 20 years after converting to beach soccer.

"We are able to combine our talent with an ambition for which we are able to make any sacrifice," the imposing 6ft 3in Madjer, the first man to score 1,000 international beach soccer goals, explained as Portugal's secret to success.

Ricardinho is futsal's answer to Ronaldo in more ways than mere nationality.

His Madrid-based Inter Movistar side are European champions and he too is expected to pick up a fifth Ballon d'Or in the near future.

And he welcomes the comparisons to his compatriot, even if his style and size are more reminiscent of Ronaldo's Barcelona rival Lionel Messi.

"I am small like Messi, left-footed like Messi and sometimes I say I play more like Messi, but not that I like Messi more," adds Ricardinho, whose trials as a youngster at Porto were cut short due to his small frame.