Fergie proud of Ron gong

United boss hails winger's achievements

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 2nd December 2008

Fergie proud of Ron gong

Ronaldo: No.1 in the world

Cristiano is in the tradition of our three other Ballons d'Or. His award is beyond all possible dispute.

Sir Alex Ferguson
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Sir Alex Ferguson believes Cristiano Ronaldo thoroughly deserved to take the 2008 Ballon d'Or.

The Manchester United winger received the prestigious award from France Football on Tuesday, recognising him as the best player on the planet over the past 12 months.

A remarkable 2007/08 campaign saw him claim the honour, with the Portuguese superstar grabbing 42 goals as he helped United to Premier League and UEFA Champions League glory.

Those achievements helped Ronaldo to push Barcelona's Argentine playmaker Lionel Messi into second spot, while Liverpool's Spanish striker Fernando Torres took third.

He becomes only the fourth Manchester United player to receive such acclaim, and the first in 40 years, with George Best (1968), Bobby Charlton (1966) and Denis Law (1964) previously taking the title.

At just 23 he has plenty of scope to claim many more accolades in the future, and Ferguson believes the precociously talented youngster will not rest on his laurels after reaching the pinnacle of his profession.

Sparkle

"We are very proud. Manchester United had been waiting for this for 40 years," Ferguson told France Football.

"Cristiano is in the tradition of our three other Ballons d'Or. His award is beyond all possible dispute.

"He is only 23 years old. His best years are ahead of him.

"In life, you have two categories of people. Those who reach their goal and go to bed saying to themselves, 'I made it' and the other ones, who are driven by will, desire.

"These ones, when they win the trophy, they say to themselves 'I go on'... Ronaldo has that sparkle in himself."