Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo last night followed in the footsteps of Thierry Henry by being named the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year for the second successive season.
United players have a curfew restricting their activities on the two days before a game, so Ronaldo was not there to collect the trophy ahead of tomorrow's crucial Champions League semi-final against Barcelona at Old Trafford. He was shown on screen accepting his award from manager Sir Alex Ferguson at the club's training ground.
"It's one of the biggest games of the whole season on Tuesday and no one could have expected him to be able to come," said PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor. "Cristiano and Sir Alex have been as good as gold and we appreciate their help."
Arsenal's Henry collected the award in 2003 and 2004, and Ronaldo, with 41 goals for club and country so far this term, becomes only the second player to have won it two years in succession.
United players have a curfew restricting their activities on the two days before a game, so Ronaldo was not there to collect the trophy ahead of tomorrow's crucial Champions League semi-final against Barcelona at Old Trafford. He was shown on screen accepting his award from manager Sir Alex Ferguson at the club's training ground.
"It's one of the biggest games of the whole season on Tuesday and no one could have expected him to be able to come," said PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor. "Cristiano and Sir Alex have been as good as gold and we appreciate their help."
Arsenal's Henry collected the award in 2003 and 2004, and Ronaldo, with 41 goals for club and country so far this term, becomes only the second player to have won it two years in succession.
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