Ronaldo completes PFA hat-trick
Ronaldo's reputation has grown immeasurably this year
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Tuesday, 24, Apr 2007 04:59
The plaudits for Cristiano Ronaldo's superlative season keep rolling in, as he has been named player of the year by football fans voting through the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA).
The 22-year-old Manchester United star scooped the players' player and young player of the year awards at the PFA's gala dinner on Sunday night, making him the first player to win both awards at the ceremony since Andy Gray in 1977.
Fans voted for Ronaldo ahead of other favourites such as Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Arsenal youngster Cesc Fabregas, both of whom have had excellent seasons of their own.
But it was the Portuguese star that came out as a clear winner in the vote, having turned public opinion of him on its head since becoming a hate-figure across the country after his play-acting antics at the World Cup in Germany last summer.
"I think the best things are still to come from me," he said upon receiving his awards.
"We have three competitions to play for. We have everything to win and we have a great chance."
His manager at United, Sir Alex Ferguson, also reserved special praise for his young charge, a £12.2 million signing from Sporting Lisbon in 2003.
"He's been fantastic. His improvement and development have been superb," Ferguson said.
"He is the best player in the world. It's easy for a manager to say that but he's getting that accolade from everywhere, not just me. When that happens it is difficult for some players but he is so level-headed."
Ronaldo is expected to be one of United's key players as they continue to compete for a second domestic and European treble to add to their unprecedented success in the 1999 season.
They are currently three points clear at the top of the Premiership and have an FA Cup final and Champions League semi-final to look forward to over the next few weeks.