Portugal's Ronaldo and Brazil's Marta Vieira da Silva Wins FIFA World Player of the Year

Cristiano Ronaldo and Marta Vieira da Silva WINS FIFA Player of the Year Award

23-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA World Player of the Year award on Monday.

The Portugal and Manchester United winger received 935 votes in a worldwide poll of national team captains and coaches, with the results announced by Brazil's all-time great Pele.

Lionel Messi, the Argentina midfielder, was runner-up with 678 votes, while Spain's Fernando Torres was third with 203.

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first Premier League player to be selected world player of the year and only the second Portuguese player after Luis Figo, who finished ahead of David Beckham in 2001.

"It is an overwhelming moment, a very special moment in my life," Ronaldo said. "I would like to say to my mother and sister that the fireworks can be fired off now."

Brazil's 22-year-old Marta Vieira da Silva, won the women's award for the third year in a row. For the women's vote, 139 coaches and captains cast their vote and Marta won comfortably with 1,002 points ahead of Germany's Prinz with 328 points and Brazil's Cristiane 275 points.

Image Courtesy: Google AFP Pictures