Ronaldo's awards double
23 Apr 2007 - 08:05:18
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo has been rewarded for an excellent season by being named the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year by the Professional Footballers' Association.
The 22-year-old Portugal international has scored 21 goals this term and has helped the club challenge Chelsea for the Premiership title, reach the FA Cup Final and the last four of the Champions League.
Ronaldo has also had to recover from his unpopularity at the start of the campaign following his controversial part in Portugal's World Cup victory against England last summer.
He becomes the first player to win both awards in the same season since Andy Gray 30 years ago.
The winger beat off strong competition from Chelsea striker Didier Drogba to win the Player of the Year award. The Ivory Coast international was second and Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes third.
United's Ryan Giggs, Steven Gerrard of Liverpool and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas also made the shortlist.
Ronaldo said: "It is a special night. It is amazing and a big honour for me to win trophies like this in the English Premier League. I am very proud.
"My colleagues have voted for me and that is fantastic because the players know the qualities of players.
"I want to keep working hard and getting better because these trophies have now given me more motivation.
"This great team has helped me because when the team wins it is easier for us all to play with more confidence."
Fabregas was second and Tottenham's Aaron Lennon third in the voting for the young player award.
Eight United players made it into the team of the year which was:
Edwin van der Sar, Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra (all Man Utd); Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo (all Man Utd) and Steven Gerrard (Liverpool); Didier Drogba (Chelsea) and Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham).
