Ronaldo named Player of the Year

Ronaldo has been named FIFA’s Player of the Year for the third time as Premiership players struggled to make the top 10.

The Brazilian striker became the first player to collect the accolade three times at an awards ceremony in Madrid, Spain.

Ronaldo was the clear winner at the Gala ceremony after collecting 387 points, while Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn came second with 171 and France playmaker Zinedine Zidane was third with 148.

They left Manchester United’s David Beckham (51), Arsenal’s Thierry Henry (38) and Liverpool’s Michael Owen (34) trailing in eighth, ninth and 10th respectively.

Ronaldo scored eight goals, including two in the final, as his national team won the World Cup in the summer.

He was also named as the European Footballer of the Year on Monday, awarded by France Football magazine.