At numerous stages throughout the summer it looked as though they would part company, but today they appear closer than ever following Cristiano Ronaldo’s warm tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson after the Manchester United winger was named as FIFA’S world player of the year.

The 23-year-old Portugal star finished ahead of runner-up Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Liverpool's Spanish striker Fernando Torres in third place to take the award at a star-studded gala in Zurich last night.

Ronaldo is the first Premier League player to have won the award and it ends a stunning year for him. He played the starring role as United won the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup.

During Euro 2008, however, it seemed as though his love affair with United would come to an end with Real Madrid confident of signing him in a world record fee.

Ferguson always believed that once back at Old Trafford, he could persuade Ronaldo to stay and he has been proved right – for now – although the United number seven’s apparent desire to go to Madrid didn’t go down well with fans of the Red Devils.

Hailing Ferguson, Ronaldo, on top of the world after receiving his award from Pele, said: "It's true that the manager always has an important role to play.

“It was a great season for me and for my club, and the coach was important for me because I learned a lot from him.

"His experience over so many years is of paramount importance – it's a privilege to have such a great club manager.

"I am lucky to be part of the history of a club like Manchester United."

He added: "It is a dream come true and I would like to dedicate this to my family.

"I'm extremely happy, it's one of the most important moments in my life and I hope I can come back here again. After what I did in 2008, to receive this award is amazing and I feel very proud of this achievement.”

Torres was honoured to have come third ahead of Kaka, who finished fourth, and Xavi, who was fifth.

The Liverpool striker said: "Ronaldo and Messi are for sure the two best players in the world and to come next to them is a privilege.

"The very fact of being here is a reason to be proud to represent my club and my country. It's a matter of pride to have two Spaniards amongst this group."

Ronaldo's 31 league goals (42 in total) won him the European Golden Shoe as the continent's top scorer, and he was also awarded the Ballon d'Or and FIFPro's player of the year.

The awards, voted for by all countries' head coaches and captains, saw Steven Gerrard finish sixth, Frank Lampard 12th, Didier Drogba 13th, Michael Ballack 14th, Cesc Fabregas 15th, Emmanuel Adebayor 17th and John Terry 21st.

Premier League players have finished as runner-up before – David Beckham and Thierry Henry both did so twice while Lampard also came second two years ago – but Ronaldo is the first to take the top prize.