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

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  1. While not impressed by the show that surrounds Ronaldo it is worth remembering that A) he is not the sharpest tool in the shed; B) His boyhood dream was to play for Real; C) Manchester is a kip (along with most other UK cities); D) S Gerrard / R Giggs etc are playing in his home town for his dream club; E)His papa died a few yrs ago and he wants to please his mama.
    So between @#$% food, a sad mama and following your dreams I'd be already gone. Having said that, if he hits the form of last year it would be amazing to have gim in the prem league.

    From Ronan, on Mon 27 Oct 11:10PM

  2. Messi Messi Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssiiiiiiiiiiiiii

    From massimoposar, on Mon 27 Oct 10:34PM

  3. fcmrfmcjrfmcmggvtgiigv ijgmvumij ij ijg vfvmrfcmimfrvtmvutjmgirkgmfirkfirkfirfiurmfjrmfrmfirmfu irmfurfjurmfurmfufmvufvuvmgu mugn ufnuvnunvutnvutnvutnvunu nutugtvnutnguntugnvnutnvutnvutnmvun gu ngunvmrfimfirkfikritmfvjrgtnbgvurtjngygniutgjtyighroijg oyrhgoy

    From e=mc squared, on Mon 27 Oct 10:18PM

  4. GO Ronaldo GO! Shut up dudes... is the real machine...
    Portugal olé!

    From nuno_jb_oliveira, on Mon 27 Oct 10:05PM

  5. What bid??? There was none

    From United, kids, wife, on Mon 27 Oct 10:02PM

  6. WHERE THE F%&$ IS CARRA?????????

    Watch his performances people - makes Terry and Rio look like fools.

    From Paul, on Mon 27 Oct 9:59PM

  7. invalid invalide validation validifirer.
    vlad the impaler,
    in grown toe nails
    vale of glamorgan
    tepid vvvvv
    uncool invalides

    From e=mc squared, on Mon 27 Oct 9:59PM

  8. Steven Gerrard deserves to win the accolade, commited, amazing and the fact that he would do anything for his club, NOT FOR MONEY AND FAME LIKE RONALDO! I admit ronaldo is good, but there are players that outclass him, Gerrard, Messi, Kaka.

    From harwoodphil13, on Mon 27 Oct 9:53PM

  9. HAS EVERYONE FORGOT ABOUT THIS C@@T'S WINKING INSIDENT CHEATING B@STAR$

    From Triple X, on Mon 27 Oct 9:51PM

  10. HAHA I THINK FIFA FORGOT TO COUNT 90% OF THE VOTE OR THEY WERE MARKING THE OLYMPIC DIVING RESULTS WITH DROGBA CLOSE SECOND HAHA KAKA/MESSI/ROBINO OR TORRES BEST IN THE WORL NOT SOME G@Y LOOKING FU#KING DIVER!!

    From Triple X, on Mon 27 Oct 9:50PM

  11. Ima have to say that based on what he has accomplished last season Ronaldo deserves this. But, in my opinion the best player in the world is with out a doubt Messi!!

    From sdj1185, on Mon 27 Oct 9:49PM

  12. Ronaldo deserves nothing, hes a cheatin diving git whos in it for the money....and the fame who cant keep his commitments to 1 club (wanting to move to madrid).

    From harwoodphil13, on Mon 27 Oct 9:47PM

  13. only one chelsea player in this team haha!!! goes to show all the money they have can't buy them the best players in the world!! Well played on sunday!
    Y.N.W.A

    From John, on Mon 27 Oct 9:34PM

  14. RONALDO, SIMPLY WORLD CLASS, RECOGNISED BY THOSE WHO CHOSEN HIM AS THE BEST PLAYER, HE HAS GOT ONLY WHAT HE DESERVES, WELL DONE

    From jacky, on Mon 27 Oct 9:15PM

  15. This is just a popularity contest. It is a meaningless title. The true best player in the world is Messi. Only idiots or MU clueless fanatics would think otherwise !!

    From Tim, on Mon 27 Oct 9:08PM

  16. c.ronaldo is d world!!!!

    From anikoibrahim, on Mon 27 Oct 9:03PM

  17. lard - 130 do you practice at being an idiot or is it a natural talent?

    From Mike S, on Mon 27 Oct 9:03PM

  18. crowned*

    From hussainamir11, on Mon 27 Oct 9:02PM

  19. he he should also be cowned best diver in football

    From hussainamir11, on Mon 27 Oct 9:01PM

  20. this guy is a snake, two faced cheat.

    From JOANNE, on Mon 27 Oct 9:00PM
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