Source: Xinhua

12-02-2008 16:26

PARIS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo was named the European Footballer of the Year on Tuesday, becoming the fourth Manchester United player to win the Ballon d'Or.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal controls the ball during a  training session in Brasilia Nov. 18, 2008. Portugal winger  Cristiano Ronaldo was named the European Footballer of the  Year on Tuesday, becoming the fourth Manchester United player  to win the Ballon d'Or.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi came second and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres third in a poll of 96 journalists from allover the world organized by France Football, the French magazine said on its website (www.francefootball.fr).

Ronaldo dominated the voting, garnering 446 points. Messi had 281 points and Torres had 179.