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| Ronaldo scoops Ballon d'Or |
Cristiano Ronaldo was on Tuesday confirmed as the winner of the 2008 Ballon d'Or, beating competition from Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.
The prestigious award was confirmed at 0200 on Tuesday morning by France Football magazine, who present the trophy based on a poll of 96 top journalists.
The Manchester United winger came second in last year's poll, behind Brazil star Kaka, but his outstanding form last season, scoring 42 goals in all competitions for United, ensured he took top billing this time.
The 23-year-old's coronation was a resounding one, with 77 of the 96 writers voting him as their number one player of the year in a poll which formerly rewarded Europe's best player, but has been expanded to include players from all over the world.
Each voter names five players on their final ballot, awarding five points to their first choice and one point to their fifth.
Ronaldo's was the only name to appear on each of the 96 ballots, polling 446 points out of a maximum 480.
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