The Barclays Global Fans Report results were announced earlier today, three days before Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be announced the victor of the FIFA World Player Award.

Cristiano Ronaldo led all polling with 35 percent of fanīs votes after his tremendous 42 goal season which helped Manchester United take home the EPL and Champions League titles.

Former Portugal Manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari believes that Cristiano Ronaldo should win the FIFA award.

“Maybe this season there are others who might compete for the prize but not last season,” Scolari said Friday. “I hope that they give the award to Cristiano. He was the best in the world last season – far better than the rest and he deserves it.”

Runners up in fan voting were Lionel Messi with 17 percent, Steven Gerrard with 10 percent and Fernando Torres with 9 percent.

L’Equipe’s ideal team consists of Casillas, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Danial Alves, Messi, Xavi, Gerrard, C. Ronaldo, F. Torres and Ibrahimovic.  Most of the team consists of players from the English Premier League with the Spanish League coming a distant second.  Manchester United supplied four of the eleven.

Eurosport has also followed suite in naming Cristiano Ronaldo to their list of the ultimate team for 2008, but added an extra trophy to Ronaldoīs collection.  Eurosport awarded the Ballon D’Eurosport to Cristiano Ronaldo for being the best player of 2008.  The Ballon E’Eurosport is an imaginary trophy, but the honor is very real.

Team D’Or (Europort’s best eleven)

GK: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid – eight votes out of nine)

RB: Jose Bosingwa (Chelsea – four votes)

CB: Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United – four votes)

CB: Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United – four votes)

LB: Yuri Zhirkov (CSKA Moscow – three votes)

RM: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United – nine votes)

CM: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal – three votes)

CM: Xavi (Barcelona – six votes)

LM: Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich – four votes)

FW: Fernando Torres (Liverpool – six votes)

FW: Lionel Messi (Barcelona – seven votes)

As expected, Cristiano Ronaldo was the favorite going into the ceremonies, tallying an amazing 446 points from soccer journalists. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi was a distant second with 281 points,  while talented Liverpool forward Fernando Torres came third with 179 points.

When asked about this historical acheivement, Cristiano Ronaldo said “It’s one of the greatest days of my life, winning this trophy,”  He went on to say, “I dreamed about it as a kid. Those who know me, who live with me, know that this is finally a dream come true for me.”

Ronny7.com is overwhelmed with happiness with Cristiano Ronaldo’s award and look forward to many more. Congratulations Cristiano!!

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named FifPro World Footballer of the year.

Ronaldo was chosen for the award by thousands of pro footballers from over 40 football associations.

This yearīs FifPro Team members are:

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
John Terry (Chelsea)
Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)
Carles Puyol (Barcelona)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Kaka (AC Milan),
Xavi (Barcelona)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Cristiano Ronaldo7.com has decided to put together summary of the Manchester vs Barcelona game because we noticed a lack of information on the net. What information is out there, seems to be an ‘I hate Cristiano Ronaldo because….’ rant. We think that we can do a much better job. Here’s how we saw it.

Below is a video of the best parts of the game…

Manchester United started the game without Rooney and Vidic due to injury.

Thierry Henry did not start for Barcelona which was a shock to many due to Henry’s record versus the Red Devils while playing for Arsenal. Henry had scored 9 times on 18 outings versus the Red Devils while playing for the gunners.

Barcelona came out fighting, once again retaining the higher percentage of ball possession. At the 30 second mark of the game, Paul Scholes trips Lionel Messi just outside the United box. The free kick which was awarded to Barcelona struck the United wall.

At the 13 minute mark, Paul Scholes strikes to put Manchester United in the lead after Cristiano Ronaldo pressures the Barcelona defense and forces a give away just outside the box.

At the 19 minute mark, Lionel Messi carries the ball from midfield and forces United Goalkeeper, Van Der Sar to make a good save from a shot taken just outside the box. One minute later, J.S. Park misses a great opportunity to put United in front by two, after Cristiano Ronaldo sets him up outside the Barcelona box. His shot was wide of the goal.

At the 28 minute mark, United again came close to striking after a Barcelona give away. Tevez’ shot was pushed away by Barcelona Goalkeeper, Valdes. Five minutes later, Owen Hargreaves fails to pick up his man. Deco strikes, but the ball flies over the crossbar.

At the 36 minute mark, Deco again has an opportunity to equalize, but his shot is wide of the goal. Eight minutes later, Barcelona is awarded a free kick 29 meters from the net, but the free kick is headed wide of the goal by a Barcelona player.

The first half ends in a 1-0 lead for United.

The second half started with Barcelona putting the pressure on, but the Red Devils held their ground. At the 55 minute mark of the game, Lionel Messi once again carried the ball near the box, but his shot was wide of the goal. One minute later, United player, Carlos Tevez fails to put the Red Devils ahead by two goals after a brilliant set up by Cristiano Ronaldo. Valdes makes a great save.

At the 59 minute mark, Barcelona makes their first substitution, by replacing Iniesta with Thierry Henry. Just seconds after Barcelona’s substitution, Nani strikes the ball over the net after turning Barcelona defenders inside out.

62 minutes in, Michael Carrick fouls Messi 32 meters from united goal, but Deco’s free kick is deflected just wide of the net by United defenders.

67 minute mark, Cristiano Ronaldo receives yellow card for a foul on Zambrotta.

At the 70 minute mark, Barcelona makes their second substitution by replacing Eto’o with 17 year old, Bojan Krkic. Two minutes later, Lionel Messi makes a dangerous pass into the United box, but Xavi fails to connect with the pass.

At the 75 minute mark, Ferguson makes his first and second substitution of the night by bringing in Giggs for Nani and Fletcher for Scholes.

Thierry Henry had his first chance of the night to strike at the 77 minute mark of the game with a close range header, but Van Der Sar made the save. Three minutes later, Henry shoots again, but the ball rolls wide.

A flurry by Barcelona breaks out in the United box at the 88 minute mark, but United defenders kick the ball away. As a result, Patrice Evra who had been a rock for the Red Devils the entire night, appears to be injured and is carried off the pitch. Ferguson immediately replaces Evra with Silvestre.

The game ends in Victory for Manchester United after 6 minutes of added time due to the Evra injury.

Manchester United await the victors of tomorrow’s game between Chelsea and Liverpool.

It looks like Cristiano Ronaldo’s prediction came true, United will be going on to the finals in Moscow on May 21, 2008. It will be an all English final.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a golden opportunity to put the Red Devils ahead when his penalty shot beat Barcelona’s goalkeeper, hit the goalpost and skidded out. The penalty shot was awarded to the Red Devils for a handball committed by Gabriel Milito in the first two minutes of the game.

Barcelona controlled most of the game, retaining the higher percentage of ball possession, but were unable to create many scoring opportunities. Tight defensive work by the United side made penetration into the goal area difficult for the Catalans.

Cristiano Ronaldo had several opportunities including two long range free-kicks which were deflected by Barcelona defenders.

Manchester United could have easily been awarded a second penalty, when Cristiano appeared to be fouled in the box after he had Intercepted a pass from Andres Iniesta.

Making their return to the starting lineup from injury were two of Barcelona’s key players, Lionel Messi and Portuguese International, Deco, whom were both substituted in the second half of the game.

French International, Thierry Henry had an opportunity to put Barcelona in front after coming on in the second half when a free kick was awarded just outside the box. The shot was on target, but was saved by the United goalkeeper, van der Sar.

The Red Devils feel good about the outcome of the game and are readying themselves for their next meet.

Round two between these two teams takes place next Tuesday at Old Trafford.