France Football has handed its prestigious Ballon d'Or award to Cristiano Ronaldo, a decision that will surprise no-one given his outstanding performances over the past 12 months.

The 23-year-old led Sir Alex Ferguson's side to the Premier League and Champions League titles last term, netting some 42 goals along the way - an incredible feat for a player who predominately plays on the right flank.

Ronaldo was a clear winner, collecting 77 votes from the 96 journalists who judge the award, while Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Liverpool's Fernando Torres filled out the placings.

It is just the latest of many individual triumphs for the former Sporting Lisbon sensation, who was dubbed player of the year by the Football Writers' Association and the Professional Footballers' Association in 2006-07. He was recently named the 2008 FIFPro World Player of the Year.

Ronaldo becomes the fourth Man United star to claim the Ballon d'Or, following in the footsteps of Denis Law (1964), Sir Bobby Charlton (1966) and George Best (1968).

It is perhaps fitting that the Real Madrid target's win marks the 40th anniversary of Best's triumph, as he has often been compared to the late, great Ulsterman.

Next up for Ronaldo is the FIFA World Player of the Year gong, which has never been won by an English-based player.

2008 Ballon d'Or Top Ten Classification

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Manchester United) - 446 points

2. Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona) - 281 pts

3. Fernando Torres (Spain/Liverpool) - 179 pts

4. Iker Casillas (Spain/Real Madrid) - 133 pts

5. Xavi Hernandez (Spain/Barcelona) - 97 pts

6. Andrei Arshavin (Russia/Zenit St. Petersburg) - 64 pts

7. David Villa (Spain/Valencia) - 55 pts

8. Kaka (Brazil/AC Milan) - 31 pts

9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden/Inter) - 30 pts

10. Steven Gerrard (England/Liverpool) - 28 pts

Mike Maguire, Goal.com

 

I guess that was quite expected. To bad Zlatan didn't get more points/votes.

 

I'm glad they recognized Arshavin. He was a terror last year...

 

He needs to move already, I am eager to see what he can do in the Prem.

 

I still think that his influences should pay more than his goals towards the points he has earned in winning this award. Did you know Figo was the only player to be given the title without claiming any team rewards during the year he was voted european footballer in
2000.

 

I did not know that. IMO you need a title or two to be recognized, I still think Ronaldinho was robbed in 2006 I realize it's in part that he won it the previous year plus that there is an unwritten rule that a player from the World Cup winning national team gets that honor every World Cup year but did they have to give it to Cannavaro? Pirlo IMO would have been a better choice

 

Cannavaro was awesome that season... I think he deserved it. It's good to recognize defensive players from time to time.

I do agree though that overall quality should count more than just a goal tally. There are some very influential midfielders out there that don't score a lot, but make their whole team better. FWIW, I think Rooney fits that bill, too. He doesn't score as often as a pure striker should, but he improves the quality of his side with his movement, workrate, passing ability, and the fact that defenses can't ignore him. I know people love him or hate him, but he is quality.

 

The fifa award has a more political influence than a ballon d'or(eurpean player), where recognition is the key target when it comes to the nationality of the winner. Ronaldinho should have won it that year, but since politics wont allow such a landmark; where south americans would carry the record for most titles won Cannavaro came to the rescue. Knowing that the year juventus won the league, and their scandals started coming out of their helm, still they were able to be rewarded individually which should let you have a closer look at the concept of these awards. It sometimes creates a picture which attempts to portray both distance and solidarity towards the general aspect of the game.