BBC Sport football

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Related BBC sites

Page last updated at 16:38 GMT, Sunday, 7 December 2008

Ronaldo gets hands on Ballon d'Or

Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo scored a remarkable 42 goals for Man Utd last season

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo was handed the prestigious European Player of the Year award in a televised ceremony on Sunday.

Accompanied to Paris by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo collected the Ballon d'Or - golden ball - trophy from France Football magazine.

"I've been playing for Manchester for five years - I feel at home," said the 23-year-old Ronaldo.

"I'm happy at Manchester and want to stay."

During the summer Ronaldo was linked with a move to Real Madrid after a season in which he scored 42 goals for United as Ferguson's side won the Premier League and the Champions League.

"I'm an ambitious person. I don't want it to stop here," said Ronaldo reflecting on his success. "I think we have to keep trying to win trophies, collectively and individually. I'm on the right track.

606: DEBATE
Dubbed The Next Heurelho Gomes!

"It's always special to reach this level, the important thing is to stay there. The idea is to keep progressing, collectively and individually as well.

"Without my team I couldn't have won it, and I have to thank them also."

Ronaldo was the first United player to win the award since George Best in 1968 and Ferguson predicted the best was yet to come from the Portuguese forward.

"It's a long time since we won one, 40 years ago," said Ferguson. "Of course, he's only 23. He's only just beginning. When players get to 26 they start to mature."

Print Sponsor


see also
European football photos
07 Dec 08 |  Europe
Ronaldo joins legendary list
02 Dec 08 |  Football
England trio on Euro award list
19 Oct 08 |  Europe
Ronaldo secures PFA awards double
22 Apr 07 |  Football
Ronaldo's season in photos
28 Apr 08 |  Football
Coping with Cristiano Ronaldo
31 Mar 08 |  Football
Why Ronaldo made the difference
12 May 08 |  Man Utd