ZURICH, Jan 13: Manchester United and Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo was named FIFA World Player of the Year at a ceremony on Monday.

Barcelona’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi was second, with Liverpool and Spain striker Fernando Torres third.

Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez, also of Barcelona, and AC Milan’s Brazilian playmaker Kaka completed the top five.

Ronaldo won the honour for the first time after helping United win the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup.

It also completed a hat-trick of individual honours for the 23-year-old, who had already won the football journalists’ Ballon d’Or trophy and the FIFPro World Player of the Year title.

“It’s an overwhelming moment, very special,” said Ronaldo after receiving the FIFA award from Pele. “I can say to my mother and sister, ‘let the fireworks off now’. It’s one of the most important moments in my life.”

Ronaldo is the first player based at an English club to win the FIFA award, which had previously gone only to footballers playing for Spanish or Italian sides.

The award is voted by the national team coaches and captains of the 208-member associations of FIFA. Ronaldo was voted in first place by 136 of the coaches and captains while 76 put Messi top.

The United player picked up 935 total points, ahead of 678 for Messi and 203 for Torres.—Reuters