Cristiano Ronaldo 2008

Cristiano RONALDOo RONALDO

Suspense…the 2008 Awards cover gave nothing away

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Welldeserved accolades

Cristiano Ronaldo, star performer in Manchester United’s Champions League triumph, is Wor ld Soccer’s Player of the Year for 2008. The Portugal winger was the clear winner in our 27th annual ear winner in our 27th annual poll, with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi second and Fernando To Torres of Liverpool in es of Liverpool in th third place. ird place.

Ronaldo is the first United playernaldo is the first United player to to win win th the individual prize, while last e individual prize, while last ye year ar’s ’s winner, Kaka, did not even make winner, Kaka, did not even make th the top ten. Instee top ten. Ins ad, five of the top ten ad, five of the top ten places are taken by members of Spain’splaces are taken by members of Spain’s victorious team at Euro 2008 – Torres,victorious team at Euro 2008 – Torres, captain Iker Casillas, David Villa, Xavicaptain Iker Casillas, David Villa, Xavi and Marcos Senna.

Sp Spain ain tr triumphed in the Team of the iumphed in the Team of the Ye Year categor ar category, y, ahead of Manchester ahead of Manchester Un United, UEFA Cup winners Zenit Saint ited, UEFA Cup winners Zenit Saint Pe Pete tersburg and Copa Liber rsburg and Copa Liberta tadores dores winners LDU Quito of Ecuador. Africanwinners LDU Quito of Ecuador. African champions Egypt, who successfully champions Egypt, who successfully defended their title last Januardefended their title last January, y, finished finished fi fift fth and there was also recognition for h and there was also recognition for the achievements of underdogs CFR Cluj,e achievements of underdogs CFR Cluj, Hoffenheim and Anorffenheim and Anorth thosis Famagusta.osis Famagusta.

Si Sir Alex Ferguson won the Manager r Alex Ferguson won the Manager of the Year award for a record fourof the Year award for a record fourth th time, a clear winner ahead of Spain’stime, a clear winner ahead of Spain’s Luis Aragones and Zenit ’s Dickis Aragones and Zenit’s Dick