Barcelona’s Argentine ace Lionel Messi won the 2009 Ballon D’Or, or European Footballer of The Year last week.
Ronaldo, winner in 2008, came in second.
Both player have had a sensational 2008/2009 season; but the Champions League made the difference.
Messi and Barcelona were comfortable winner in the final, with Ronaldo overshadowed completely in Manchester United shirt.
The award could have gone the other way if Ronaldo and MU were the Champions, only IF.
Cristiano Ronaldo was named as FIFA World Player of the Year for 2008 on Monday and became the first Premier League player to get the award at a star-studded gala in Zurich.
The 23-year-old was in stunning form last term when he helped Manchester United to Premier League and European Cup success hitting 42 goals in the process, and after FIFA’s annual poll of international team coaches and captains he has added the world governing body’s prize to the prestigious Ballon d’Or which he has already received.
Ronaldo received the award from Pele, and said: ”It is an overwhelming moment and a very special moment in my life and I would like to say to my mother and sister that the fireworks can be set off now.
Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo admits he is driven to be named the world’s greatest player.
The Portuguese ace missed on the prize last year finishing third behind Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Milan’s Kaka.
“The focus is on winning the Champions League and the Premier League. We have the opportunity to do that and we have the players,” Ronaldo told the News of the World.
“But of course it’s my aim to be the best in the world. I want to be the best in the world and that’s what I work towards every day.
“But only God knows whether I will one day manage to win that prize which is so important for me as a player.”
[Sky]
AC Milan Brazilian playmaker Kaka was named as FIFA’s World Player of the Year on Monday (Dec 17) ahead of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
World Player of the Year is picked from a poll by the coaches and captains of 165 national teams (they can’t vote for their team mates). This is Kaka’s 2nd major personal award in a month after winning the European Player of the Year.
AC Milan playmaker Kaka has been named European Player of the Year for 2007, with Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United in second place.
The Brazilian, 25, was the Champions League’s top scorer last season with 10 goals as he led his team to the title, beating Liverpool in Athens in the final.
He wins the Golden Ball after amassing 444 points in France Football’s survey of 96 journalists from around the world.
Each was asked to vote on a shortlist of 50 players and Ronaldo came a distant second with 277 points.
United winger Ronaldo, 22, was also in sensational form last term, scoring 25 goals in all for the Barclays Premier League club and Portugal.
Barcelona’s 20-year-old Argentina forward Lionel Messi came third in the vote after emerging as a world-class talent for club and country.
The same trio – Kaka, Ronaldo and Messi – have also been shortlisted for FIFA’s world player of the year award which will be announced in Zurich on December 17.