Ronaldo wins FIFA top award
Published:Tuesday | January 13, 2009 | 12:45 PM
Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA World Player of the Year award today 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, receiving 136 first-place votes and 935 points in a worldwide poll of national team captains and coaches.
The result was announced by Brazil\'s all-time great Pele at a ceremony in Zurich, with Barcelona and Argentina midfielder Lionel Messi coming in second with 678 points, while Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was third with 203.
Brazil\'s Marta won the women\'s award for the third year in a row, after announcing earlier today she is joining the Los Angeles Sol in the Women\'s Professional Soccer league.