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.

Zurich  - Manchester United's Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who last month won the European Footballer of the Year, was on Monday named FIFA World Footballer of the Year 2008.

Ronaldo, 23, who made history by becoming the first Premier League-based player to win the award, convincingly beat Argentine striker Lionel Messi in second place.

Third place in the voting conducted by national team coaches and captains went to Liverpool's Spanish striker Fernando Torres.

Copiapo, Chile  - Spanish leader Carlos Sainz on Monday closed in on Buenos Aires and victory in the Dakar rally as he picked up his fifth stage win of the race.

There was was further good news for Sainz's VW team as Touareg team-mates Mark Miller and Giniel de Villiers finished the 537 kilometre ninth stage from the Chilean towns of La Serena to Copiapo in second and third place.

London, Jan. 12 : Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed Liverpool counterpart Rafa Benitez's claims that he is the only manager allowed to criticize referees.

Describing the charge as ''ridiculous', Fergie labelled the Liverpool manager ''angry' and ''disturbed'.

According to The Telegraph, the war of words between the pair escalated after Fergie spoke about his side's 3-0 demolition of Chelsea on Sunday evening.

The result takes United to within five points of the league leaders, with two games, both at Old Trafford, in hand. By the time Liverpool take to the field against Everton a week today, United could well be top.

London, Jan 12 : Ace striker Wayne Rooney has warned Liverpool that he is about to dump them off the top of the Premier League.

The England striker scored in Manchester United's 3-0 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday, The Sun reported.

They are now favourites to win the title and will overtake both Chelsea and Liverpool by Saturday night if they beat Wigan at home on Wednesday and then pick up another three points at Bolton on Saturday.

London, Jan 12 : Ace England midfielder David Beckham's first appearance for Italian club AC Milan drew both praise and cynicism in the country's media today.

The England midfielder made a surprise start and played almost the entire game in AC Milan's 2-2 draw at Roma.

Gazzetta dello Sport gave Beckham a six out of 10 in its game ratings, and offered a humorous remark about the loan signing from the LA Galaxy, The Independent reported.

"He played for 90 minutes, which no-one expected," the Milan-based publication said.

"But nothing to show as a replay for a Pepsi ad. However, he sacrifices, he crosses, he strikes, helps with humility. As his first Serie A appearance, he did just enough," it added.