Ronaldo voted best in England for second year running

Portugal winger picks up prestigious PFA award

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named as the Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year, winning the prestigious English award for the second year running.

Another superb season with Manchester United, which has so far yielded 38 goals, sees Ronaldo become only the second player, after Thierry Henry of Arsenal, to successfully retain the award.

“I feel very happy. It is a great moment, it is an honour, a pleasure,” said Ronaldo, who was not present at the awards ceremony in London as his team prepare for Tuesday night’s Champions League semi-final with Barcelona at Old Trafford.

“When you work all season to play good, to do something for the team, to do your contribution for the team and then at the end of the season the PFA give you this award, it is a great moment, it is an honour, a pleasure,” said Ronaldo.

“It is a great motivation to carry on like that, to work more and get better. I feel very good but it is not just my award, my team-mates have helped me a lot this season. They give me good passes to score goals - and I score - but it is a good moment for me.”

“I voted for Adebayor because I think he has had a great season as well. But you have many players who have had a good season - Torres, Fabregas, many players. But I think I deserve to win!”

Ronaldo was also, as expected, named in the team of the season. Meanwhile, the Portuguese curiously lost out to Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal in the young player category.

PFA Premier League Team of the Year:

David James (Portsmouth)
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd)
Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd)
Gael Clichy (Arsenal)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd)
Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal)
Fernando Torres (Liverpool)