Portugal International and Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo has been tabbed as the best player in the world after winning the 2008 Ballon d’Or over Argentine Leonel Messi and Spaniard Fernando Torres.

After netting 42 goals with United in a season that also saw him take Premiership and Champions League Titles along with the FIFPro World Player of the Year, the Professional Footballers’ Association and the Football Writers player of the year last term, the 23 year old garnered a total of 446 points and became the first Portuguese born player to win since Figo in 2000 / first United player to win since George Best in 1968.

Via SkySports

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Manchester United), 446 points

2. Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona), 281 pts

3. Fernando Torres (Spain, Liverpool), 179 pts

4. Iker Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid), 133 pts

5. Xavi (Spain, Barcelona), 97 pts

6. Andrei Arshavin (Russia, Zenit St Petersburg), 64 pts

7. David Villa (Spain, Valencia), 55 pts

8. Kaka (Brazil, AC Milan), 31 pts

9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Inter Milan), 30 pts

10 Steven Gerrard (England, Liverpool), 28 pts