Cristiano Ronaldo tonight became the first Premier League star to be named FIFA's world player of the year.

The Manchester United and Portugal winger beat AC Milan's Kaka, Liverpool's Fernando Torres and Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Xavi to take the award at a star-studded gala in Zurich.

It caps a stunning year for the 23-year-old in which he played the starring role as United won the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup.

His 31 league goals in the 2008-09 season, and 42 in total, won him the European Golden Shoe as the continent's top scorer.

He was also awarded the Ballon d'Or by France Football magazine, and named FIFPro's player of the year.

Premier League players have finished as runner-up before - David Beckham and Thierry Henry both did so twice while Frank Lampard also came second two years ago - but Ronaldo becomes the first to take the top prize.

Ronaldo dedicated the award to his family but also paid tribute to influence of United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

He said: "It's a dream come true for me to get this award and I would like to dedicate this to my family.

"But it's also true that the manager always has an important role to play. It was a great season for me and for my club, and the coach was important for me because I learned a lot for him.

"His experience over so many years is of paramount importance - it's a privilege to have such a great club manager.

"This is the climax of a fantastic era for me. I'm happy and proud about what has been done by my team and what we have won.

"I am lucky to to be part of the history of a club like Manchester United."

Torres said he was honoured to have been on the shortlist of five alongside Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka and fellow Spaniard Xavi, the Spanish midfielder.

Torres said: "The very fact of being here is a reason to be proud to represent my club and my country. It's a matter if pride to have two Spaniards amongst this group."

The awards are voted for by the head coaches and captains of all countries.

Ronaldo received the award from Pele, and said: "It is an overwhelming moment and a very special moment in my life and I would like to say to my mother and sister that the fireworks can be set off now.

"I'm extremely happy, it's one of the most important moments in my life and I hope I can come back."

Messi finished in second place and Torres came third ahead of fourth-placed Kaka and Xavi.

Cristiano Ronaldo Factfile

1985: Born February 5 in Funchal on the Portuguese island of Madeira.

2002: Makes his debut for Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese Super Liga at the age of 17 after winning international caps for Portugal's youth sides.

2003: August 6 - Scores in pre-season friendly against Manchester United.

August 12 - Completes a £12.24million transfer to United, taking the number seven shirt following the sale of then England captain David Beckham to Real Madrid.

August 16 - Makes his debut as a second-half substitute in opening-day 4-0 win over Bolton at Old Trafford.

August 20 - Plays for Portugal full national side in 1-0 win over Kazakhstan.

November 1 - Scores his first goal for United in the 3-0 victory over Portsmouth at Old Trafford.

2004: May 22 - Dazzles in United's 3-0 FA Cup final victory over Millwall.

June 24 - Scores in the shoot-out as Portugal knock England out of the European Championships 6-5 on penalties.

July 4 - Plays in Euro 2004 final, which Portugal lose 1-0 to Greece.

2005:

November 18 - Agrees two-year extension to his United contract, keeping him at the club until 2010.

2006: July 1 - Protests to referee Horacio Elizondo after United team-mate Wayne Rooney clashes with Ricardo Carvalho in the World Cup quarter-final between Portugal and England. Rooney is sent off and television pictures catch Ronaldo winking towards the bench. Scores the winning penalty in the shoot-out to knock out England.

July 8 - After losing the third-place play-off to Germany, Ronaldo reveals he wants to leave United. Admits he would like a move to Spain, having been linked with Real Madrid.

July 12 - United stress there is "no possibility" Ronaldo will be sold.

2007: February 6 - Named captain of the Portugal team for a friendly against Brazil a day after his 22nd birthday.

April 13 - Agrees new five-year deal with Red Devils.

April 22 - Voted both the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year - the first player to land the double award since Andy Gray in 1977.

May - Voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association as United win the Premier League title.

December 17 - Finishes third in FIFA World Player of the Year voting, behind winner Kaka and Lionel Messi.

2008: March 19 - Scores twice in a 2-0 win over Bolton - taking his tally for 2007-08 to 33 - to beat George Best's 40-year-old club record for goals scored by a winger in a single season.

April 27 - Voted PFA Player of the Year for the second year running.

May 11 - United claim Premier League title with win at Wigan.

May 14 - Real Madrid claim they have the funds to purchase Ronaldo.

May 21 - Heads United in front in Champions League final against Chelsea in Moscow. The game goes to penalties and, despite Ronaldo missing his kick, United win the shoot-out. Ends the season with 42 goals.

May 22 - Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster says he believes Ronaldo will play for the Spanish club at some point in his career.

June 2 - Ronaldo is reported to have told Brazilian website Terra that he wants to join Madrid, if they can meet United's asking price.

June 9 - United report Madrid to FIFA over their pursuit of Ronaldo.

June 19 - Unable to prevent Portugal being dumped out of Euro 2008 as Luiz Felipe Scolari's team lose 3-2 to Germany in the quarter-finals.

July 7 - Ronaldo undergoes surgery on his injured ankle in Amsterdam.

August 6 - Tells Portuguese newspaper Publico that he will remain with Manchester United "for at least another year".

August 17 - Makes his return from injury as a 62nd-minute substitute in a home goalless draw with Villarreal in the Champions League.

November 15 - Scores 100th goal for Manchester United with the first of a brace against Stoke.

November 30 - Sent off for two yellow cards inthe Manchester derby, the second caution coming after a bizarre handball incident.

December 2 - Wins the prestigious Ballon d'Or, convincingly seeing off competition from second-placed Messi and Liverpool's Fernando Torres, in third.

2009: January 8 - Escapes uninjured after writing off his Ferrari sports car by crashing into a roadside barrier under a tunnel near Manchester Airport on his way to training.

January 12 - Named FIFA World Player of the Year at gala ceremony in Zurich.

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