Cristiano Ronaldo Crowned FIFA World Player Of The Year
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Cristiano Ronaldo beat off competition from Lionel Messi, Xavi, as well as Fernando Torres, and last year’s winner Kaka, to win the FIFA World Player of the Year Award with a total of 935 vote points.
In second place was Barcelona star Lionel Messi with 678, while Liverpool striker Fernando Torres finished third with 203.
AC Milan star Kaka was not far behind in fourth with 183, while Barcelona's Xavi ended up fifth with 155.
The attacking wideman had a magnificent 2007/08 season, scoring 42 goals for Manchester United, and capturing the Premier League, Champions League and European Golden Boot. He followed this up this term by lifting the Club World Cup in Japan.
Ronaldo caps off a clean sweep of the major awards, having also picked up the prestigious Ballon d'Or (European Footballer of the Year) at the end of 2008.
The 23-year-old becomes the first English-based player to be named FIFA World Player of the Year, and only the second Portuguese, following in the footsteps of Luis Figo, who triumphed in 2001. -
FIFA Winner Cristiano Ronaldo Celebrates 'One Of His Life's Happiest Moments'
Cristiano Ronaldo completed his personal double this evening by adding the FIFA World Player of the Year award to his Ballon d'Or for 2008
Addressing the audience after receiving his prize, the Manchester United and Portugal ace said, "This is a special moment of my life. It's a really unique occasion.
"I want to thank my mother, my father, my sisters - my whole family. I'd also like to thank my friends - they know who they are.
"I'll also thank my manager, Jorge Mendes, and my team-mates, because without them I wouldn't have won this prize here.
"I'm very pleased - this is one of the happiest moments of my life, and I hope to return here one day. Thank you all."
Ronaldo inherited the prize from Kaka, true to the prediction of Pele, who introduced both last year's and this year's awards.
'CR7' helped lead Manchester United to an historic Premier League and Champions League double in 2008, resulting in his victory in this trophy ahead of Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres. -
enjoy while you can. because you are never going to make it again.
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You never know, he can win it again in the future as he is still young...
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I think he is our very first and only Fifa World Player of the Year... He is also the English League / Premier League first even winner too I belief... Great job...
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Lolx Torres Lost lolx? Congratz
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Originally posted by zocoss:
You never know, he can win it again in the future as he is still young...
definitely not.