FIFA World Player of the Year

The FIFA World Player of the Year is an Association football award given annually to the male and female player who are thought to be the best in the world, based on votes by coaches and captains of international teams. In a voting system based on positional voting, each coach gets three votes, worth five points, three points and one point, and the winners are ordered based on total number of points.

Well, from the nominations were made in Zurich and the winner was announced..

CRISTIANO RONALDO, from MANCHESTER UNITED.

(Cristiano Ronaldo)

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Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA World Player of the Year award on Monday to complete a sweep of soccer's top individual honors for 2008.

The Portugal winger led Manchester United to the Premier League and Champions League titles in May. He scored 42 goals in all competitions last season and became the first English Premier League player to win the honor in the award's 18-year history.

"It is an overwhelming moment, a very special moment in my life," Ronaldo said. "I would like to say to my mother and sister that the fireworks can be fired off now."

(Among the nominees of the award from left : Xavi, Torres, Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka)

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Ronaldo received 935 votes in a worldwide poll of national team captains and coaches. He was followed by Barcelona and Argentina midfielder Lionel Messi (678 votes) and Liverpool and Spain striker Fernando Torres (203), with the results announced by Brazilian great Pele.

(Ronaldo recieves the award from the legend himself, Pele)

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Ronaldo was widely expected to win after capturing the Ballon D'Or as European player of the year and World Soccer magazine's player of the year. Before the announcement, the orchestra at the Zurich Opera House gave a not-so-subtle hint by playing an aria from Handel's "Rinaldo."

Ronaldo is the second Portuguese to receive the award. Luis Figo won in 2001 when David Beckham, who also wore No. 7 for Manchester United, was runner-up.

(Ronaldo holding the FIFA World Player of the Year award)

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"It is a dream for me to get this prize because I want to bring the team and my country forward," Ronaldo said. "I would like to dedicate it to my family. This is the most important thing to me."

Ronaldo missed the start of this season because of injury and has struggled to regain his form. He has eight league goals, but the last came in November.

(During an interview)

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Before the ceremony, Ronaldo paid tribute to United manager Alex Ferguson and his former Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who now manages United's rival Chelsea.

"Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Scolari were decisive," he said through an interpreter. "I would like to thank them for making me the player I am today."

Congratz Ronaldo for winning!

Calvin, lets hope you have the same luck for Maluri's Player of the Year! haha..