By David Hobbs
September 20 2005

Cristiano Ronaldo has picked up his first piece of silverware of the new season. The Portuguese wing wizard was awarded the prize of the world’s best young player, as voted by fans from all around the globe.

The trophy was handed to Ronaldo at a gala organised by FIFPro, the world-wide representative organisation for professional footballers.

Ronaldo dedicated the honour to his father who recently passed away. "If he was here he would be so proud and probably nobody would have been able to shut him up. But I’m sure he’s watching."

Ronaldo also used the occasion to reveal his dreams of lifting the 2006 World Cup for Portugal. "We want to go very far. We know it will be difficult but we are going to fight for a place in the final. I would love to face Brazil in the final."

Portugal are on the verge of clinching their place in Germany, requiring just two points from their last two qualification games at home to Liechtenstein and Latvia, while five-times winners Brazil, qualified for competition with two games to spare. 

Thanks to Tom Kundert and Portugoal.net