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

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."

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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