Ronaldo wins European Balon d'Or
PARIS: Cristiano Ronaldo won the Golden Ball awarded to the European Footballer of the Year on Tuesday, becoming the fourth Manchester United player to take the honor and the first since fellow winger George Best in 1968.
Ronaldo's brilliant scoring form helped him beat Barcelona striker Lionel Messi into second place, while Liverpool forward Fernando Torres was third in the poll results announced overnight by France Football magazine.
Ronaldo dominated the voting, tallying 446 points. Messi had 281 points and Torres had 179.
Ronaldo was second to Kaká last year, while Messi was third. Kaká, Milan's Brazilian playmaker, was eighth this time, with only 31 points.
Ronaldo scored 42 goals in all competitions last season as United won the English Premier League and European Champions League trophies.
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The 23-year-old Ronaldo adds the Ballon d'Or award to the FIFPro World Player of the Year trophy he won in October, and the Professional Footballers Association and the Football Writers awards.
He is the first English Premier League player to win since former Liverpool forward Michael Owen in 2001, and the first Portuguese player since winger Luís Figo won it with Real Madrid in 2000.
France Football's award is decided by a poll of soccer journalists.
Following Portugal's disappointing showing at the European Championship in June, Ronaldo underwent an operation to his troublesome right ankle injury in July that then kept him sidelined until Sept. 17.
After a slow start, he appeared to be heading back to top form with eight league goals in 11 games until Sunday's red card against Manchester City drew headlines for the wrong reason.
The 21-year-old Messi scored several breathtaking goals for Barça last season, and also helped Argentina defeat Nigeria, 1-0, to win the Olympic gold medal in Beijing in August.
Messi has stepped up his form since then, with nine league goals in 11 games for Barca - one less than he got in 27 games last season - as he continues to develop a flourishing partnership with Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o.
"He is the kind of player I really like," Kaka said. "Like Cristiano Ronaldo, he dribbles, he scores. Messi often does it all on his own."
Torres helped Spain win the European Championship in June, scoring the lone goal in the final against Germany. Torres, hit by several niggling injuries this term, also scored 24 league goals in his debut season with the Reds but has struggled so far this season.
Real pursues Huntelaar
Ajax Amsterdam confirmed Tuesday it is talks with Real Madrid about the transfer of striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar but said no deal had yet been agreed, Reuters reported.
The 25-year-old Dutch striker is recovering from an ankle injury
According to media reports on Monday, Real Madrid is willing to pay €20 million, or $25.22 million, for Huntelaar, whose Ajax contract expires in June 2010.
Huntelaar joined Ajax in January 2005. He has scored 76 goals in 92 league matches. He has also netted 10 times in 18 appearances for his country.
PARIS: Cristiano Ronaldo won the Golden Ball awarded to the European Footballer of the Year on Tuesday, becoming the fourth Manchester United player to take the honor and the first since fellow winger George Best in 1968.
Ronaldo's brilliant scoring form helped him beat Barcelona striker Lionel Messi into second place, while Liverpool forward Fernando Torres was third in the poll results announced overnight by France Football magazine.
Ronaldo dominated the voting, tallying 446 points. Messi had 281 points and Torres had 179.
Ronaldo was second to Kaká last year, while Messi was third. Kaká, Milan's Brazilian playmaker, was eighth this time, with only 31 points.
Ronaldo scored 42 goals in all competitions last season as United won the English Premier League and European Champions League trophies.
Today in Sports
Bryant finds he can avoid the circus with the Lakers
Udinese wins to advance to knockout phase
Is Europe ready for U.S.-style TV coverage of Games?
The 23-year-old Ronaldo adds the Ballon d'Or award to the FIFPro World Player of the Year trophy he won in October, and the Professional Footballers Association and the Football Writers awards.
He is the first English Premier League player to win since former Liverpool forward Michael Owen in 2001, and the first Portuguese player since winger Luís Figo won it with Real Madrid in 2000.
France Football's award is decided by a poll of soccer journalists.
Following Portugal's disappointing showing at the European Championship in June, Ronaldo underwent an operation to his troublesome right ankle injury in July that then kept him sidelined until Sept. 17.
After a slow start, he appeared to be heading back to top form with eight league goals in 11 games until Sunday's red card against Manchester City drew headlines for the wrong reason.
The 21-year-old Messi scored several breathtaking goals for Barça last season, and also helped Argentina defeat Nigeria, 1-0, to win the Olympic gold medal in Beijing in August.
Messi has stepped up his form since then, with nine league goals in 11 games for Barca - one less than he got in 27 games last season - as he continues to develop a flourishing partnership with Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o.
"He is the kind of player I really like," Kaka said. "Like Cristiano Ronaldo, he dribbles, he scores. Messi often does it all on his own."
Torres helped Spain win the European Championship in June, scoring the lone goal in the final against Germany. Torres, hit by several niggling injuries this term, also scored 24 league goals in his debut season with the Reds but has struggled so far this season.
Real pursues Huntelaar
Ajax Amsterdam confirmed Tuesday it is talks with Real Madrid about the transfer of striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar but said no deal had yet been agreed, Reuters reported.
The 25-year-old Dutch striker is recovering from an ankle injury
According to media reports on Monday, Real Madrid is willing to pay €20 million, or $25.22 million, for Huntelaar, whose Ajax contract expires in June 2010.
Huntelaar joined Ajax in January 2005. He has scored 76 goals in 92 league matches. He has also netted 10 times in 18 appearances for his country.
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