Ronaldo wins FifPro world player of year award

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been voted the best player in the world for 2008 by members of the world players' union, FifPro.

The Portuguese international is also favourite to win the prestigious world player of the year award from Fifa - as well as Uefa's European footballer of the year prize, the Ballon d'Or.

Ronaldo succeeds Milan star Kaka as the top prizewinner - the Brazilian collecting a clean sweep of the awards in 2007.

"To be recognised by my fellow professional players worldwide coming from over 50,000 players is amazing," the 23-year-old United star said.

"I would like to thank my teammates and coaches and everyone involved at Manchester United and the national team, as well as my family and friends for their support.

"Thank you also to FifPro for this award and for your work in protecting the interests and welfare of players around the world."

The same awards also saw three England internationals named in the World XI by FifPro's registered professionals.

Chelsea and England captain John Terry was joined by Ronaldo's United team-mate Rio Ferdinand and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard in the team.

Gerrard's Reds colleague Fernando Torres meant there were five English-based players in the XI.

Torres also found himself part of a large Spanish contingent, with international team-mates Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid and Carles Puyol and Xavi of Barcelona also included in the lineup.

One of the other two remaining players - Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi - is also based in Spain, while AC Milan and Brazil playmaker Kaka is the only player from outside Spain or England to be named in the World XI team.

Full FifPro World XI:

Goalkeeper – Iker Casillas (Spain/Real Madrid)

Defenders – Sergio Ramos (Spain/Real Madrid), John Terry (England/Chelsea), Carles Puyol (Spain/Barcelona), Rio Ferdinand (England/Manchester United)

Midfielders - Steven Gerrard (England/Liverpool), Xavi (Spain/Barcelona), Ricardo Kaka (Brazil/AC Milan)

Forwards – Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona), Fernando Torres (Spain/Liverpool), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Manchester United)

refer : http://www.inthenews.co.uk