Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned FIFA World Footballer of the Year on Monday night in Zurich. The Portugal and Manchester United winger added the game’s ultimate allocate to his European equivalent and Golden Boot awards already received in recognition of a season which saw him lead his club to English and European title glory.
Having arrived in Lisbon from Nacional de Madeira as a 12-year-old prodigy, Ronaldo’s exceptional ability quickly became obvious as he became the first player in Sporting’s history to appear in every youth side up to senior level by the age of 16.
Taunting Manchester United’s superstars during a subsequent friendly, the frustrated players urged Sir Alex Ferguson to buy their tormentor and the rest, as they say, is history.
“CR7”, as the currently most valuable football asset in the world is known, is now officially also the best, joining an elite that has included the likes of namesake Ronaldo, Zidane, compatriot Figo and Ronaldinho since the prize’s inception in 1991.
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