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Euro award a dream come true - Ronaldo
Manchester United, 10:11, December 2, 2008 ,
Cristiano Ronaldo claims a childhood dream has been fulfilled after he was handed the European Footballer of the Year award.
The 23-year-old Manchester United and Portuguese star has already been named FIFPro World Player of the Year, Professional Footballers' Association and the Football Writers Player of the Year following his 42 goals for the club in their Premier League and Champions League successes.
However Ronaldo appeared more delighted after being confirmed as the top European player by France Football magazine, who present the trophy based on a poll of 96 top journalists.
He secured 77 of the 96 votes to beat Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres into second and third place respectively. And he joins the likes of former United greats such as George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton to win the Ballon d'Or.
Ronaldo told www.francefootball.fr: "It is one of the most beautiful days of my life. To gain this trophy is something I dreamed of as a child.
"Great emotion fills me but I cannot really describe it.
"I want to thank those who voted for me, those who know me and those who live with me.
"I was not worried, because I was aware of what I did in the course of the season.
"But to the people who mentioned my name, I say thank you. Thank you also to my team-mates.
"This (trophy) is one that I want to win again because it is so good. Therefore, I will wake and I will say to myself 'I want to be even better'."
He added: "I am only 23 years old and it is splendid, incredible.
"There were other great names this year. I see that Lionel Messi finished second and Fernando Torres third, but also (fifth-placed) Xavi...all these people could have taken the trophy and I won it."