Cristiano Ronaldo has been named Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year for the second time in succession.
The Manchester United midfielder has enjoyed another outstanding campaign having scored 38 goals in all competitions for the Barclays Premier League champions.
The 23-year-old beat off competition from Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor and David James to land the prize.
Arsenal midfielder Fabregas was named Young Player of the Year - an award which Ronaldo also won in 2007 - at a star-studded ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel tonight.
PFA team of the year (Premier League)
David James (Portsmouth), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).
[Soccernet]
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres admits he’s been blown away by Cristiano Ronaldo this season.
The Spaniard says there’s nobody else like the Reds’ no.7 and thinks Ronaldo is good enough to tear apart Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final.
“He is so good he puts United on his shoulders and carries them in every game,” Torres said.
“Barcelona will have to cover him because he can give United a great chance to qualify for the final. If he feels comfortable and takes the game to the opposition, things will be complicated for Barca.”
Torres’ praise didn’t stop there, either. The 24-year-old, who’s scored 30 times for Liverpool in his first season in England, believes the winger is in a class of his own.
“Cristiano is at another level,” Torres said. “He’s above all other players in the world. He’s a complete player.”
[Manutd]
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he gets angry reading speculation about his future.
The Portugal international is currently in top form, scoring 37 goals this season, and links with the continent’s leading clubs are never far away.
But the 23-year-old has stressed once again he is happy at Old Trafford.
‘I just don’t care what the whole world seems to want to say about me or speculate about my future,’ he told The Sun.
‘I’ve said it a thousand times and, by now, people should realise… I’m totally happy at United.
‘I’m in the form of my life and I’m having the season of my career so far so it makes me mad sometimes to read some of the things which are supposed to be related to my future.
‘I get angry but I’m trying to accept it’s a waste of energy to be furious because it is not worth it.’
[Soccernet]
Cristiano Ronaldo broke the wrist of a fan in the stands accidentally when a 68-year-old Middlesbrough fan was hit by Ronaldo’s volley during last Sunday’s 2-2 Premiership draw. [Sunday Mirror]