Ronaldo scoops top gong

United superstar named best player on the planet

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 14th January 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ronaldo scoops top gong

Ronaldo: Unbelievable year

Fifa World Player of the Year winners:
2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) Manchester United
2007: Kaka (BRA) AC Milan
2006: Fabio Cannavaro (ITA) Real Madrid
2005: Ronaldinho (BRA) Barcelona
2004: Ronaldinho (BRA) Barcelona
2003: Zinedine Zidane (FRA) Real Madrid
2002: Ronaldo (BRA) Real Madrid
2001: Luis Figo (POR) Real Madrid
2000: Zinedine Zidane (FRA) Juventus
1999: Rivaldo (BRA) Barcelona
1998: Zinedine Zidane (FRA) Juventus
1997: Ronaldo (BRA) Inter Milan
1996: Ronaldo (BRA) Barcelona
1995: George Weah (LBR) AC Milan
1994: Romario (BRA) Barcelona
1993: Roberto Baggio (ITA) Juventus
1992: Marco van Basten (NED) AC Milan
1991: Lothar Matthaus (GER) Bayern Munich

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Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the Fifa World Player of the Year for 2008 during a glittering awards ceremony in Zurich.

The Portuguese superstar sees his achievements from the 2007/08 season rewarded with football's most prestigious individual honour.

He has already claimed the FIFPro World Player of the Year title and the highly-regarded Ballon d'Or crown, but has now added the top prize to his ever-growing roll of honour.

Ronaldo scored an incredible 42 goals for Sir Alex Ferguson's men last term, helping them to Premier League and UEFA Champions League glory.

The 23-year-old becomes the first player from the English top-flight to take the award and succeeds AC Milan playmaker Kaka as the best player on the planet.

Dream come true

Ronaldo also emulates the achievement of his countryman Luis Figo who took the prize in 2001.

He fended off competition from the likes of second-placed Lionel Messi, third-placed Fernando Torres, Xavi and Kaka.

Ronaldo 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 [Sir Alex Ferguson] 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.

Competition

"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 be part of the history of a club like Manchester United."

Meanwhile, Brazil international Marta was named Fifa Women's World Player of the Year for the third successive time.

Comments (70)

Tony Monero says...

Ronaldo is like a monster against oppositions such as WBA or Sunderland but again and again goes missing when facing bigger teams plus without taking pens or freekicks, his goal tally will definitely be way less than Torres.

Posted 05:33 14th January 2009

Marco Sonte (West Ham United fan) says...

He deserves the award for last season based on his performances, however i fear hes grown to big for his boots this season and his performances have been poor. Cristiano must rid the arrogance which is in his game at the moment otherwise a certain Lionel Messi who has been playing superbly for the best team in europe currently, will take this award hands down.

Posted 03:07 14th January 2009

Jideobi Onuora (Manchester United fan) says...

Anybody who says that Ronaldo didn't deserve to win it after his form last season doesn't know what they are talking about! After last season, he was the best, second best and third best player on the planet! I think Messi is a phenomenal player and I love watching him play. Looking at his form this season, he will definitely win it next year but he didn't have a great season last year (because of injuries I know). Torres had a better season and should've come second. Also all this talk about Ronaldo's diving, I would really like to see Messi come to the Prem (yes, I know it'll probably never happen) and get kicked and shirt-pulled as much as Ronaldo does and see if he won't go to ground! That said, Congratulations Cristiano! Now regain your form and let's win this thing!!

Posted 23:06 13th January 2009

Mattin Biglari says...

There can be absolutely no doubt that this season so far, Messi has been by far the best player in the world. But his injuries last season and Ronaldo single handedly winning the double means the Portugese deserves his award. Messi's gonna win by a slandslide next year though.

Posted 22:29 13th January 2009

Dan Rakaj says...

He also owes to the fabulous Sporting Youth Academy. The only academy in the world that produced two Fifa World Player of the Year: Figo & Ronaldo.

Posted 21:57 13th January 2009

Adam Pearson says...

I find it absolutely hilarious that all these Man Utd fans think that Ronaldo is still the best player in the world. He clearly, from last season's performance deserved to win this away, take nothing away from that - But these fans can't see beyond their own team, it's beyond a joke that they believe Ronaldo is better than Messi! He has twice more talent than Ronaldo.. Take away Cristiano's free-kicks and penalties and how many goals would he have scored last season? Fair play to him, as he's obviously the right guy to take them, but he would have only got near 25-30. When the going gets tough, he doesn't perform in the big games. It's also funny that Utd fans moan when they see Liverpool fans saying Ronaldo isn't the best in the world right now, when clearly he isn't. If you think he's the best, then you need to either have your eyes tested, or start watching La Liga matches.

Posted 19:26 13th January 2009

Patrick Tan says...

Based on last season's performances, CR was the best player in the PLANET, let alone, the WORLD. However, it is such a shame that so far this season to date, it seems unlikely that he will retain it, let alone come into the TOP 3 category. I appreciate that there is still a long way to go, but the signs are on the wall. It is an outright shame when a player, as talented and gifted as CR allows all the awards and adulation to go to his head and turns/changes him. He has changed, and this is apparent in games where he is more inclined to do the odd extra flick or two and seemed a touch more arrogant and cocky. This two traits I've mentioned are not good attributes when combined with petulance and a stubborness, in not realising that it was Fergie and Man Utd that provided him with a stage to show his ware and the patience to persevere with him through tiresome and often frustrating times, esp when CR openly promoted himself to Real Madrid, etc. He has no loyalty and I understand that most current footballers share the same attributes. I just hope and pray that these will not be the one and only time, where CR is awarded all these accolades and trophies. Wherever, CR decides to go or even stay, I wish that he would continue in his own personal development and not go down the road of the once great "Ronaldinho", who won all the great awards, and disappeared into "ordinarydom" the very next season. GOOD LUCK and CONGRATULATIONS ON A DESERVED RECOGNITION......

Posted 16:34 13th January 2009

Dan Tiseo (Arsenal fan) says...

It should have been Messi. I'd offer some reasons but if you can read this then you have eyes and that ought to be enough. Ronaldo's 42 goal season is a great achievement but Messi is special. In fact i'd have to say Ibrahimovic is better than Ronaldo too. He's single handedly carried Inter at the top of serie A. CR won cos these awards go to the players that have won the big tournaments over the last year. Like Cannavaro and the World Cup. As Utd won the CL there could only be one player.

Posted 15:30 13th January 2009

Jon Metcalf (Arsenal fan) says...

i'm a bit undecided whether Ronaldo is worthy of being 2008 player of the year. No doubt the guy has unbelievable talent and skill but can we really look up to a player who spends most of his time either on his backside or doing a jurgen klinsmenn impression. If Ronaldo would get the all the diving out the way he would truly be a contender for the greatest player in history. However, 2009 is gonna belong to one man, the enigma, that is Lionel Messi!

Posted 14:52 13th January 2009

Fergus Kennedy says...

No one can deny Ronaldo the award based on his performances from last season. I cannot understand Messi coming second to be honest. Fair enough he is phenomenally gifted but for delivering on a consistent basis, Torres was a mile ahead. He also won the European Championships with Spain. Also forgotten was the immense Nemanja Vidic, the most important defender in the best defence of last season and vital in United's double win and twice snuffed out the Messi threat from Barca in the CL semi's. It was no contest for me, 1. Ronaldo 2. Torres 3. Vidic. But when can you rely on the judges to vote on anything other than hype? For that reason, Ronaldo will probably win it again next year but it will be completely undeserved, unless he turns his season around soon.

Posted 13:51 13th January 2009

Jamie Lewis (Exeter City fan) says...

I agree Ronaldo will win many more awards, but i think that as from next season it will be with real madrid. as for those of you who said messi did nothing, are you crazy? just because he didnt win the league or CL does not mean he has done nothing. Ronaldo fully deserved the award because of how he played last season, but the next award will go to messi and i would be suprised if anyone came close. he has been unbelievable this season, something like 20 goals in 22 games, loads of assists, and in general brilliant football.

Posted 12:53 13th January 2009

Mr man S (Manchester United fan) says...

Well done Ronaldo, thats why Real Madrid wanted to buy you so that by the time you win this award you will be their player... and well done Sir Alex for fighting hard to keep Ronaldo and make history!!! Madrid only wanted to steal Man Utd's glory of World Footballer of the Year award. Now they can buy him at a high price... we will see

Posted 08:50 13th January 2009

Philip Benson (Manchester United fan) says...

Having had the privilege of watching Manchester United since 1943 at Citys ground and then a season ticket holder at the rebuilt Old Trafford stadium I have seen many of their world class stars including Best,Charlton and Law.plus stars from the world over. However the first occasion Ronaldo appeared in the United first team was a breath taking experience even by the teams standards over the years. Here was a superb player by any world standard. The world wide awards are without argument more than due to him. His talent exceeds the best seen in my long lifetime. I wish him all good fortune and the ability to retain his quality through thick and thin.

Posted 08:27 13th January 2009

Givens Muntengwa (Liverpool fan) says...

Well done Ronaldo but its a pity that he is not the same player this season. He must just learn to keep his cool and do away with the arrogance and diving. So far this season, Messi is miles away of Ronaldo. Thats the name of the game. Fortunes change

Posted 08:24 13th January 2009

Faustine junior Oromwait says...

I think Ronaldo really deserved it because he helped united win the premier league and champions league tropies since he was the top soccer in both with 42 goals altogether, he also had a hand when united won the club world cup. Manutd fan

Posted 07:25 13th January 2009

Raj Kal (Arsenal fan) says...

well done Ronaldo...you were miles ahead of the game.There was no player that could touch him last season,messi?kaka?xavi? i dont think so.....at his age and the team he is playing for, he will only get even better!There are alot of very good players in the premiership like gerarrd,fabregas,terry,giggs,ferdinand,essien(when he plays),i could name 8 more,team players,but our players in the premiership dont seem to get recognised so much.if any of these player were playing for real madrid,barcalona or ac milan they would have had the award time ago!Ronaldo was oustanding, so his results said it all......

Posted 07:23 13th January 2009

Christian Sleek (Manchester United fan) says...

Ronaldo is really a wonderful player.No other player could have won the award.He worked for it and he got it.No doubt if he does same this season(of course u can see that from his games so far).

Posted 07:07 13th January 2009

Ernie Williams (Manchester United fan) says...

Well deserved, Christiano Ronaldo. People like John Drenman (Liverpool fan) cannot stomach a Man U player or team winning anything. Maybe he should focus his expertise/energy on assisting his team in winning a trophy.

Posted 07:03 13th January 2009

Arfan Al-awa says...

Excellent performance from a fantastic player. Fans all over the world enjoyed watching him play and score. Well done young man. Keep the good game going.

Posted 07:00 13th January 2009

Mpha Mlinde (Manchester United fan) says...

Nobody can beat that, he was named the Euro player of the year and now FIFA world player of the year if you dont like it u dont watch football. Messi and Torres are one of the best they have done very well i give them credit but Ronaldo 42 goals his the best of the best for sure best player on earth. GO GO GO....Ronaldo and Man U show them how its done.

Posted 06:43 13th January 2009

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