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Page last updated at 12:24 GMT, Monday, 1 December 2008

Ronaldo joins legendary list
Clockwise from top left: Ballon D'Or winners Alfredo di Stefano, Michel Platini, Ronaldo and Marco van Basten

Considered more prestigious than the Fifa equivalent, the award was the brainchild of France Football magazine's chief writer Gabriel Hanot.

He asked colleagues from across Europe to vote for their player of the year in 1956, and the Golden Ball was born.

Ronaldo joins a list that includes Argentina-born Spanish striker Alfredo di Stefano, who won two of the first four titles.

French playmaker Michel Platini won three successive crowns in the mid 1980s, while Dutch master Marco van Basten also notched three wins, while Ronaldo became the first Brazilian winner.



see also
Ronaldo named Europe's top player
02 Dec 08 |  Europe
England trio on Euro award list
19 Oct 08 |  Europe
related internet links:
France Football
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