I doubt that C.ronaldo at the age of 31 would be effective as he is now but no doubt about beckham only good at crossing and dead ball expert. He's more suited now to play with the like of team in MLS.

yeah, but if not mistaken, he didnt include "he cant pass" in his statement
some players peak early, some player not.. some player last longer and some player not. not true ? look at this :

stan collymore : once said as the biggest striker england could have..

fowler: very good goalscorer at his young age, but look at what happened to him when he is over 28yrs old.

raul gonzalez : become a legend at very young age.. look at him now..overshadow by his past

figo : he reached his peak at 28yrs old and he only last around 5 yrs at top his game.

macca: he's very good when he is at liverpool, at younger age. bought by madrid and never been as good as he is (but still above then ok) and many said he's done nothing in england shirt.

zidane : come on, u cant compare this very rare player with others footballer.

roberto carlos: u got to be joking he is very good until now.. he can run, but he keeps giving free goal to opponent 

ginola & cantona : also at top of his game at around 5-6 years only..

beckham's peak was during 1997/1998 season, the year before wcup 98. at that time he was only 22yrs old. he lasted until i could say his 2nd season at RM. which was during 2003/2004.. so he is at top of his game for around 6 years as well. so he is like others too

maybe many would say his best was during treble season, where he assisted so many goal but for me his best was during his last season at man u where he scored 18 goals and still be top assist in EPL.

i used to buy many man u mags during in schools and i remembered top coaches said that why he needs to dribble if he can pass from 50 yards out, and still reach the same destination..

so that means, many agrees with his class and talent... just that now his best is over, same like others (fowler, raul, collymore who?)

He only got 12 goals(6 league) and 12 assists(9 league). Solskjaer got 15 goals(9 league) and 8 assists(8 league). Dunno how true is that.. don't shoot the messenger. Ole started on the wing a lot that season, SAF played Scholes behind Ruud mostly.
Becks: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=8880&cc=4716
Ole: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=8863&cc=4716

You're comparing Beckham when he was at his peak to Ronaldo who is just starting. Not really fair heh. Also in every season he's been here except this season, he only started to play well after Christmas. Last season got the the rape thing and the loss of his father at the start of the season, but after Chrismas, he was back to his usual self. This season step up even more. Best winger in the league, even last season when he didnt perform for half a season. People may say other wingers are more effective, but compare their(or other midfielders) stats(goals, assists) to Ronaldo, and almost all don't look as good. Of course stats don't tell everything, but it helps. Best young player at the WC... should've been him really.

The boot incident, his relationship with SAF surely not good after that heh. Contract only got 2 years left. And one Ole Solskjaer who took his place in Beck's last season in the big games. Beckham that time was the captain of England.. got to his head a bit after that trying to play centrally when he should play out wide more. Ole's crosses and play from the right was more dangerous that season IMO, more of a goal threat. Too bad in post Beckham era, Ole got injured halfway in that 1st season and never recovered until last year. That's why people say we still miss Becks in those early Ronaldo years. Also we were chasing Ronaldinho at the end of that season. Almost got him, but Brazilians with Barca can't be separated I guess. But then we got C.Ronaldo in, and a season after that got Rooney. Happier in the longer run I say.

That title winning season was magic. 4231. Those 3 that play behind Ruud really was everywhere, able to change positions at will and still be effective. The game againts Newcastle.. Ahh. Injuries and suspension to the not so clever Rio really mess things up after that, also that penalty Ruud missed. Untouchables, we could've and should've prevent that heh.

Pennant? Not a patch on Beckham, even when Becks is past his best. Beckham got more than his crossing, but crossing and vision is his main weapon, and also a lot of heart and running. Tireless. Right now maybe the majority of those players you mention are better, but a few years ago, there was not many better that him on the right midfield/wing, and certainly not many better at what he does... create goals.