Zurich  - Four days ago, Cristiano Ronaldo miraculously walked away unscathed from the mangled wreckage of his Ferrari after writing off the expensive car on the way to training.

On Monday the Manchester United striker was named the FIFA World Footballer of the Year 2008, beating Argentinean Lionel Messi and Spaniard Fernando Torres into second and third place.

For the 23-year-old Portuguese international striker, who made history by becoming the first Premier League player to win the award, the accolade is just the latest in a string of awards and honours that he has won in his career.

Last month he added the European Footballer of the Year award and a winners' medal of the World Club Championship to the Premier League winners' medal and the Champions League medal he had already won during the year.

But to follow in the footsteps of players like his namesake the Brazilian Ronaldo or last year's winner Kaka is a dream come true for the player, who was born in Funchal in Madeira on February 5, 1985.

Named Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, his father chose his second given name to honour Ronald Reagan, who was at the time the US president, but was also Ronaldo's father's favourite actor.

One of four children, Ronaldo started playing football for the club where his father was kit man, CF Andorinha. He then joined CD Nacional, from where he was signed by Sporting in 2001.

Playing for the Portuguese under-17 side, he was spotted by the then Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, but the club decided not to sign him as they felt he was too young.

In 2003, after playing against Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson paid 12.24 million pounds (18.56 million dollars) for the youngster.

Since then, Ronaldo has repaid this sum over and over again and although he plays as a winger, he has scored more than 70 goals for United, including a near-record breaking 42 last season.

He has won two league medals, one FA Cup winners' medal, a League Cup medal, a Community Shield winners' medal, as well as the medals for the Champions League and the Club World Cup last season.

His tantalizing runs and brilliant goals has seen him become the Old Trafford darling.

In the pre-announcement press conference Ronaldo said that he was honoured to be one of the five finalists for the award. "To be here already is something great, but to win would be a dream come true."

He said that he was proud of his achievements last season. "As for what has been done by my team and what we have won over the last year, that was indeed a great achievement."

He also said, with a smile, that he felt stronger after the accident that had seen him write off the Ferrari, but pass a breathalyzer test.

In receiving the award the player, who is often accused of being arrogant, thanked his team-mates, saying that he could not have achieved everything he has so far in his career without the quality of players around him.

"It is another overwhelming moment in my life and I am tremendously honoured to win this award. It is possibly the greatest day in my footballing life."

Given his talent and the fact that he is only 23, it is likely that more such days will follow. (dpa)