Premier League - Ronaldo crowned best in the world

Eurosport - Tue, 28 Oct 09:03:00 2008

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been named FIFPro World Footballer of the Year.

2008 Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo - 0

It is the first in what is expected to be a host of individual honours for the 23-year-old, who scored 42 goals for United on their way to Champions League and Premier League title glory last term.

Ronaldo had suggested last week he could do no more than he did to be crowned the best player on the planet and peers from over 40 countries are in agreement.

At £12.2 million, Ronaldo has proved to be a bargain since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon in 2003, growing steadily into the most influential player in the United team.

It is anticipated Ronaldo will also scoop the Balon D'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award, with the Portugal international - who has also been named in FifPro's world team of the year - keen to remain at Old Trafford for another couple of seasons at least.

"I insist that I am a Manchester United player and now I think that next year I will continue here," Ronaldo told Marca.

Although Sir Alex Ferguson has twice been forced to intervene to keep Ronaldo at the club - immediately after the 2006 World Cup and last summer as Real Madrid made their bid to get him - the player seems committed to helping United win further honours, even if his lack of goal celebrations recently has been the subject of major debate.

Ronaldo admitted Ferguson played a huge part in his decision to commit his immediate future to the Red Devils following this summer's transfer speculation.

"He has been a key person. I respect him a lot, because it was him who signed me and he has played a very important part in all that I have won," said Ronaldo.

"In Lisbon I reached an agreement with him and it was decided that the best thing for all was to continue.

"He listened to my arguments and I listened to his. Now I understand that it was the correct decision. I am with Manchester United body and soul."

- - -

Ronaldo is one of five Premier League players in a FIFPro team of the year that is almost entirely dominated by players based in England and Spain. Milan playmaker Kaka is the only exception.

England centre-backs John Terry and Rio Ferdinand both get the nod, with three of Spain's Euro 2008 winners - goalkeeper Iker Casillas and defenders Sergio Ramos and Carles Puyol - filling out the rest of the back five.

Kaka and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi are considered to be Ronaldo's main rivals for the Ballon d'Or and World Footballer of the Year awards, and both feature in the FifPro side.

Despite patchy form for England, Steven Gerrard's superb Liverpool performances earn him a place in the midfield, and he is joined by club-mate Fernando Torres, who completes a four-man Spanish contingent.

FIFPro team:

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)

Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

John Terry (Chelsea)

Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)

Carles Puyol (Barcelona)

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

Kaka (Milan)

Xavi (Barcelona)

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Fernando Torres (Liverpool)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United).

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 182 - 201 of 221

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. For those saying that Ronaldo should not have been awarded this trophy, learn something about football. This award is given to the player that receives the most votes from thousands of Professional footballers from all over the world. So it is other professional footballers who vote for the winner. Can't get better then that can it. If thousands of Professional footballers around the world all say he is best, then they sure know more then you lot

    From POTTER, on Tue 28 Oct 10:14AM

  2. I'm not surprise at the rubbish all CR7 haters are saying here. what else do expect from failures? He dives and he cheats? Yet all the professional footballers in England voted for him as the best footballer for the last 2 seasons? he dives and cheats and the sports journalist in England voted for him as the best for 2 seasons in a row? and now all the professional footballers voted for him as the best in the world, yet he cheats and dives? have you guys forgotten what Kaka said about him last season? he was the highest goal scorer in Euro last season, yet he dives and cheats? he cheats and dives and Real Madrid were ready to break the bank to sign him? why dont you say he's also going to bribe FIFA to crown him the best footballer in the world? LOL! C'mon guys, stop and think before you start typing your anger and hatred for sheer skills and talents here. Whatever you say, whatever you think, whatever you write it aint gonna change the love and respect majority have for Cristiano Ronaldo. He's moving ahead, winning awards here and there and you sat there on your dirty behind wasting your energy throwing abuses at him. Get busy, quit wishing and pray your club or whatever it is you support do get to sign somebody who could rock the sport world like CR7 did.

    From Lanre, on Tue 28 Oct 10:03AM

  3. ronaldo should not be awared the player of the year,instead give it to KAKA,MESSI,TORRES,GERRARD

    From mmanoharm, on Tue 28 Oct 9:59AM

  4. three cheers for ronaldo

    From abygeorge58, on Tue 28 Oct 9:49AM

  5. congrants to cristiano ronaldo i think he deserves it.messi wil get it next year

    From abygeorge58, on Tue 28 Oct 9:46AM

  6. all you jealous people.who made you a better judge than people that have the data; the statistics and all, and have decided Ronaldo the best. For your info, he has not finished with the crowns yet!!!.This is only the FifPro world player of the year!!!
    He has been tipped for the Balon D'or and the FIFA world player of the year.
    So, what will you say (or worse still) do, when that happens??.
    Kill yourselves??
    I beg, make una shut up bo!!.

    Soji,PHC.

    From otuyelu, on Tue 28 Oct 9:42AM

  7. congrats to ronaldo...he deserve it as this award based on last season performance.

    From kathy, on Tue 28 Oct 9:41AM

  8. it is to admit that he is good player
    but 42 goals for a winger it seems pretty selfish
    even in the match with everton he wnet for goal while a pass would had been a better option
    i dunno bout you guys

    From chicken salad, on Tue 28 Oct 9:37AM

  9. NICE TROPHY, HOPE THE CLEANING LADY AT OLD TRAFFORD LOOKS AFTER IT TILL JAN. WILL LOOK GOOD IN REAL MADRIDS TROPHY CABINET

    From BLUENOSE, on Tue 28 Oct 9:23AM

  10. One cannot jump higer than head Ronaldo did the best he could that is enough to be the NUMBER ONE in the Universe...
    Well Done!!!

    From mamuka m, on Tue 28 Oct 9:09AM

  11. The right decision has been made,the goals this guy scored is much and he won champions cup also premiership what else do you want jealous people who are not realistic and factual,you all need to stand up for the best in the world for now.good work good people(fifa)good decision.

    Femi oyedeji

    From oyedeji, on Tue 28 Oct 8:56AM

  12. vidic should be up there instead of puyol. puyol's a horrible player

    From acamovic8, on Tue 28 Oct 8:52AM

  13. CR best in the World PUHLEEZE, Rooney is way better

    From starman_123, on Tue 28 Oct 8:46AM

  14. doubt it!

    From doubt.it.man, on Tue 28 Oct 8:44AM

  15. i think calling somebody the best, who alwayz scores most of his goals on the spot after some diving is rubbish. C.ronaldo isn't the best Henry, Kaka, Eto, Drogba and Messi for the honors please!!!! this ronaldo thing is a useless creature in f**tball.

    Kelvin, Malawi.

    From kelvin, on Tue 28 Oct 7:56AM

  16. OGA, FERDINAND is the best.without him no winning game to man.utd and also england.
    what can i say about this two player from man utd.chelsea one,where is fool ARSENAL.
    AYYYYYYYYYYYYYA.

    From Ruben, on Tue 28 Oct 7:39AM

  17. stop jealous my friends!ronaldo is the best!

    From hoomalevickram, on Tue 28 Oct 7:37AM

  18. ac welly. ronaldo scored against chelsea,arsenal besides are other teams excluded from meeting weaker ones in the leagues?check last seasons competitions.

    From Tevin, on Tue 28 Oct 7:27AM

  19. Ronaldo is a @#$% Ladyboy

    From JASON M, on Tue 28 Oct 7:00AM

  20. ronaldo is the best ??????? that is Laughable!!!!!!!! every football fan knows that Lionel Messi IS the best he is the most naturally gifted ..pure brilliance...the criterion for these awards should be the INDIVIDUALS skills NOT the teams achievement...What a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From raed i, on Tue 28 Oct 6:39AM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account