WORLD SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Cristiano RONALDO 2008
Suspense…the 2008 Awards cover gave nothing away
Welldeserved accolades
C
ristiano Ronaldo, star performer in Manchester United’s Champions League triumph, is World Soccer’s Player of the Year for 2008. The Portugal winger was the clear winner in our 27th annual poll, with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi second and Fernando Torres of Liverpool in third place. Ronaldo is the first United player to win the individual prize, while last year’s winner, Kaka, did not even make the top ten. Instead, five of the top ten places are taken by members of Spain’s victorious team at Euro 2008 – Torres, captain Iker Casillas, David Villa, Xavi and Marcos Senna. Spain triumphed in the Team of the Year category, ahead of Manchester United, UEFA Cup winners Zenit Saint Petersburg and Copa Libertadores winners LDU Quito of Ecuador. African champions Egypt, who successfully defended their title last January, finished fifth and there was also recognition for the achievements of underdogs CFR Cluj, Hoffenheim and Anorthosis Famagusta. Sir Alex Ferguson won the Manager of the Year award for a record fourth time, a clear winner ahead of Spain’s Luis Aragones and Zenit’s Dick
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PLAYER OF THE YEAR
European champion... Ronaldo
