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Manchester United [Images] and Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo [Images] was awarded the 2008 Ballon d'Or, French magazine France [Images] Football said on its website (http://www.francefootball.fr ) Tuesday.

• Image: Ronaldo sent off for handling the ball

The gong, formerly known as the European Player of the Year award, was voted on by 96 journalists from all over the world following a poll organised by France Football.