No surprises as Ronaldo named player of year
Güncelleme Tarihi:
AP
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Ocak 14, 2009 00:00
ZURICH - Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA World Player of the Year award to complete a clean sweep of football's top individual honors for 2008.
The 23-year-old Portugal winger was honored for his dominating displays and sparkling goals in leading Manchester United to both the Premier League and Champions League titles in May.
"It is an overwhelming moment, a very special moment in my life," Ronaldo said in his acceptance speech. "I would like to say to my mother and sister that the fireworks can be fired off now."
He was expected to receive the honor, after previously winning the Ballon D'Or as European player of the year and World Soccer magazine's player of the year award.
"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."
Before the ceremony, Ronaldo also paid tribute to United manager Alex Ferguson and his former Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
"Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Scolari were decisive," he said. "I would like to thank them for making me the player I am today."
"It is an overwhelming moment, a very special moment in my life," Ronaldo said in his acceptance speech. "I would like to say to my mother and sister that the fireworks can be fired off now."
He was expected to receive the honor, after previously winning the Ballon D'Or as European player of the year and World Soccer magazine's player of the year award.
"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."
Before the ceremony, Ronaldo also paid tribute to United manager Alex Ferguson and his former Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
"Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Scolari were decisive," he said. "I would like to thank them for making me the player I am today."