Cristiano Ronaldo last night became the first English Premier League footballer to be named FIFA�s world player of the year.

Cristiano Ronaldo last night became the first English Premier League footballer to be named FIFA's world player of the year.

The Manchester United and Portugal winger beat AC Milan's Kaka, Liverpool's Fernando Torres and Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Xavi to take the award at a star-studded gala in Zurich.

It caps a stunning year for the 23-year-old in which he played the starring role as United won the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup.

His 31 league goals in the 2008-09 season, and 42 in total, won him the European Golden Shoe as the continent's top scorer.

He was also awarded the Ballon d'Or by France Football magazine, and named FIFPro's player of the year.

Premier League players have finished as runner-up before - David Beckham and Thierry Henry both did so twice while Frank Lampard also came second two years ago - but Ronaldo becomes the first to take the top prize.

Ronaldo dedicated the award to his family but also paid tribute to the influence of Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager.

He said: "It's a dream come true for me to get this award and I would like to dedicate this to my family, but it's also true that the manager always has an important role to play. It was a great season for me and for my club, and the coach was important for me because I learned a lot for him.

"His experience over so many years is of paramount importance, it's a privilege to have such a great club manager.

"This is the climax of a fantastic era for me. I'm happy and proud about what has been done by my team and what we have won. I am lucky to to be part of the history of a club like Manchester United."

Torres said he was honoured to have been on the shortlist of five alongside Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka and fellow- Spaniard Xavi.

Torres said: "The very fact of being here is a reason to be proud to represent my club and my country. It's a matter of pride to have two Spaniards among this group."

The awards are voted for by the head coaches and captains of all countries. Ronaldo received the award from Pele, and said: "It is an overwhelming moment and a very special moment in my life - the fireworks can be set off now. I'm extremely happy, it's one of the most important moments in my life."

Messi finished in second place and Torres came third ahead of fourth-placed Kaka and Xavi.

Ronaldo is as close as you can get to the complete footballer - proficient with either foot, tremendous speed, brilliant dribbling ability, a vicious shot, a free-kick style that he alone has mastered, a goal-poacher's nose, a powerful physique and strength in the air, which was highlighted by heading home the opening goal in the Champions League final. He even manages that little bit of luck all great players seem to have - his penalty miss in the shootout will largely be forgotten as his team-mates got him out of trouble.

The story of his discovery by Manchester United is the stuff of legend. Ferguson had already been alerted to the 18-year-old's promise by his assistant, Carlos Queiroz, when United were invited to play Sporting Lisbon in a friendly to inaugurate their new stadium in August 2003. Sporting won 3-0, and the United players were so impressed by the teenager that they implored Ferguson to sign him. Within a week, he had done so, for £12.24m, an astonishing sum for such a young player untested in the Premier League.

"In the dressing room after the match the lads were talking about him constantly," said Ferguson. "On the plane back home from the game they urged me to sign him, that's how highly they rated him. He was one of the most exciting young players I'd ever seen."