A picture taken on December 7, 2008 in Boulogne-Billancourt, outside Paris shows the “Ballon d’Or” (Golden ball) trophy. Manchester United Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo received the European footballer of the year award, the Ballon d’Or. Ronaldo beat Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres to the honour on the back of a phenomenal 2007-08 season in which he scored 42 goals for his Premier League and Champions League-winning club. Ronaldo becomes the first United player to win the award since the late George Best in 1968. AFP PHOTO FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)
