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Ronaldo named Europe's best

02 Dec 2008 - 07:05:58

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Cristiano Ronaldo has been crowned European Footballer of the Year after winning the 2008 Ballon d'Or.

The 23-year-old Portugal winger won the prestigious accolade after leading Manchester United to a Premier League and Champions League double last season, in which he scored 42 goals in all competitions.

Ronaldo was runner-up behind Brazil star Kaka last year but took the honours this season in the France Football magazine poll after earning 77 of the 96 voted cast by top journalists.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres were second and third respectively.

Ronaldo, who has already been crowned FIFPro World Player of the Year and took the honours in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Football Writers awards domestically, is the first United player to win the Ballon d'Or since George Best in 1968.

He is also the third Portuguese winner after Eusebio and Luis Figo.

"It is one of the most beautiful days of my life. To gain this trophy is something I dreamed of as a child," he told France Football.

"Great emotion fills me but I cannot really describe it.

"I want to thank those who voted for me, those who know me and those who live with me.

"There were other great names this year. I see that Lionel Messi finished second and Fernando Torres third, but also (fifth-placed) Xavi - all these people could have taken the trophy and I won it."

"This (trophy) is one that I want to win again because it is so good.

"Therefore, I will awake and I will say to myself 'I want to be even better'."