Ronaldo scoops second players’ award

CRISTIANO RONALDO has been named Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year for the second time in succession.

The Manchester United midfielder has enjoyed another outstanding campaign having scored 38 goals in all competitions for the Premier League champions.

The 23-year-old beat off competition from Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor and David James to land the prize.

Arsenal midfielder Fabregas was named Young Player of the Year – an award which Ronaldo also won in 2007 – at a star-studded ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel last night.

Ronaldo did not attend the event in person but was shown on screen accepting his trophy from United manager Alex Ferguson at the club’s Carrington training ground.

United are currently preparing for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona on Tuesday night.

Ronaldo said: “I feel very happy. When you work all season to play good, to do something for the team, to do your contribution for the team and then at the end of the season the PFA give you this award, it is a great moment, it is an honour, a pleasure.

“It is a great motivation to carry on like that, to work more and get better. It is a good moment for me.”

“I am sure I am better player than four or five years ago. This is my ambition to learn more and play better and I think I am in the right place. I want to carry on and this for me is a good moment to stay at the club and play at the best level.”

Ronaldo admits his own vote for the top award went to Arsenal striker Adebayor, the Togo international who has netted 27 this term.

He said: “I voted for Adebayor because I think he has had a great season as well.

“But you have many players who have had a good season – Torres, Fabregas, many players. But I think I deserve to win!”

The voting was reversed for the young player award, with Spain international Fabregas finishing ahead of Ronaldo. Torres, Micah Richards, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young had been the other nominees.

Former England and Blackpool full-back Jimmy Armfield, 72, still involved in the game as a broadcaster, received the Merit award for his services to the game.