Best 32 of the World : Ronaldo = Number 1.

CRISTIANO RONALDO tonight became the first Premier League star to win FIFA's world player of the year award.

The Portugal winger scooped his SIXTH and best individual honour of 2008-9 - after helping Manchester United to league, European Cup and Club World Cup glory.

Barcelona's Argentinian playmaker Lionel Messi was runner-up, with Liverpool ace Fernando Torres third.

Ronaldo, 23, hit a staggering 42 goals for United last season, including 31 in the league, as he easily won the European Golden Shoe.

He said: "It's a dream come true for me to get this award. I would like to dedicate this to my family."

David Beckham and Thierry Henry have each finished second twice in the FIFA awards, while Frank Lampard was runner-up two years ago.

So taking first place underlines how much Ronaldo has dominated the 2007-8 Premier League season.

He was earlier named European player of the year and FIFPro's top player.

AC Milan stylist Kaka and Barcelona's Euro 2008 hero Xavi completed FIFA'S five-man list of finalists tonight.

The complete list :

1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

2 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

3 Fernando Torres (Liverpool)

4 Kaka (AC Milan)

5 Xavi (Barcelona)

6 Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

7 Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona)

8 Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)

9 Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)

10 David Villa (Valencia)

11 Andrei Arshavin (Zenit St Petersburg)

12 Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

13 Didier Drogba (Chelsea)

14 Michael Ballack (Chelsea)

15 Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)

16 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan)

17 Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal)

18 Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)

19 Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid)

20 Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid)

21 John Terry (Chelsea)

22 Gigi Buffon (Juventus)

23 Deco (Chelsea)